BBC World Have Your Say: What are the competing claims over the Falklands?

falklands

BBC: What are the competing claims over the Falklands? and discussion on G+

Why would the Falklands suddenly become a priority for Argentina? Does it have anything to do with the government trying to distract its citizens from trouble at home? As +Anthony Kelly and +Jakub Kaliszewski noted earlier, if we go back far enough in history, every square Km of the planet could be claimed by two or more existing countries. And who says how far back should we go? And what criteria should we apply? Language? Culture? Geographic proximity? Religion? Decision by the people currently living in the territory? Should Cuba be given back to Spain, because of its history? Or to the US, because of its proximity? Should Italians take over northern Africa, Greece, Spain, in fact most of the Mediterranean area including part of the British Isles, just because it once belonged to the Roman Empire? I think this nationalistic sabre rattling is ridiculous and only favours extremists and weapons producers. Borders are, largely, a fiction and people can travel and settle where they wish, with few exceptions. Those who dream of reintroducing iron curtains all around the world, would do well to lock themselves up at home and let the rest of us get on with our lives and enjoy our wonderful freedom and diversity.

UA-2750533-1