Another Falkland Islands War?

I have vague memories, around junior high years, when Argentina's then-military junta, unable to tackle growing economic problems, diverted attention by invading the Falkland Islands in 1982.  They gambled that a British empire in decline would make little, if any, effort, to reclaim a few rocky islands a few hundred miles east of southern Argentina.  But Madame Thatcher found her inner Reagan, the QE2 was retrofitted for a military effort, and after a few months, the Falklands remain part of what few crumbs remain of the United Kingdom's once global domination.  The war, in an odd way, was a victory for Argentina's people, too:  the military government fell into decline, and Argentina quickly returned to democracy.

 

Having visited Argentina three times, it was an easy country to fall in love with:  its vibrant people, its rustic landscape, grand boulevards that make Madrid look like a village, and a cuisine that will make a carnivorous foodie out of the most strident vegan.  At the same time, I felt a little wistful and sad not over what Argentina is or was, or what it could have been:  a global power to be admired and taken seriously.  Reminders are plentiful:  the huge monuments that need upkeep; the grand building facades in Buenos Aire's San Telmo district overlooking mounds of garbage; and small towns full of young people who are eager to leave.  What struck me the most are the signs and memorials for the Malvinas, the name Argentina has given to that little archipelago.

 

Both countries have their points in staking their claims to the Falklands.  For the most part, any settlers here were Anglo, with the exception of some Argentines who were ousted when the UK reclaimed the islands in 1833.  Most of the 3,000 or so residents have ties to Britain and wish to remain part of the UK.  Furthermore, while most Falklanders do not consider their isles a "colony," they have no desire to join Argentina.  And based on the United Nations' policy of respecting self-determination, their sentiment seems to seal the deal.

 

It does seem odd, however, that there is a European territory in Latin American waters.  The days of far-flung colonial powers are over, and strategically and logically, there really is no need for the UK to hang on to the Falklands (but wait, read on!).  Argentines argue that the UK "occupation" of the Falklands is a historical anomaly due to some bizarre chain of events back in 1833.  Well, if boundaries should remain the way they were in 1833, my Texan friends and I would be in Mexico, Bolivia would have a coastline, Brazil's state of Acre would be in Bolivia, southern Argentina would be an independent nation run by native peoples, and parts of Canada may very well be US states.

 

Let me give you some additional context.  One hundred years ago, many poor people left an oppressive land offering little opportunity (Europe), and they had two great choices where they could start over:  North America (generally the USA), and South America (Argentina, especially for Italians).  Argentina at one time arguably was a G-7 country.  It had abundant land, industry, and in 1929, had the fourth highest per capita GDP.  But there were structural issues:  while the US government gave land away to anyone (white) would could settle and farm it, land in Argentina was mostly held by a few wealthy families--leading to the country's income disparity today.  Later, while the USA eventually recovered from the Great Depression, Argentina succumbed to government corruption, military coups, a bad trade agreement with the UK, and inept dictator after inept dictator.  Argentina did some good things--they allowed many Jews to escape Europe and resettle there; farms continued to provide abundant harvests; and its people have always been very educated.

 

We'll fast-forward to now.  Suddenly a small energy company, Desire Petroleum, has discovered evidence of oil--perhaps even 60 billion barrels lie under the Falklands.  (The timing is not great for renewable energy advocates--currently the Falklands are close to gaining 40% of their electricity from wind and other renewables.).  Meanwhile, the once-destitute Falklands have grown rich over fishing, sheep, and tourism--and enjoys a per capita income exceeding their hopeful motherland to the west.  Argentina has reacted to this potential windfall by banning charter flights and ships from its land to the Falklands.  Rather quickly, friendly relations between the UK and Argentina have disintegrated.

 

Argentina president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and her husband (the previous president), are now deeply unpopular.  Rising inflation, unemployment, a struggling private sector, and suggestions the Bill & Hillary of Argentina are becoming more rich have tarnished their reputations.  But the chance of oil reserves in the Falklands has given them a trump card.

 

Perhaps the Kirchners should mind their own house first.  Many private companies (especially in the energy sector) feel harassed by the Kirchners and their cronies (friends, however, are doing quite well!).  While Brazil has become the leader in Latin America's economy and political scene, Argentina is a mere laughable sideshow, and it's a shame.  Other nations with center-left leadership, such as Uruguay and Chile, are doing relatively well compared to their neighbor.  Alas, Argentina and its 40 million people could and should do better.

 

Perhaps it's strange for a site that advocates renewable fuels to suggest this, but rather than cynically rally its people to a lost cause, Argentina could find some sort of financial arrangement with Desire, the Falklands, and the UK.  Oil is not going away until alternative energy sources are scalable and profitable.  In an ideal world, such revenues could go towards education and infrastructure projects:  attracting more private investment and innovation that paired with Argentina's spirited, talented, and industrious people, could, in the long run, inspire a more sustainable economy that capitalizes on Argentina's natural wealth.

 

I may have opened a can, but I would like to hear from folks in Argentina or the UK.  Or perhaps . . . the Falklands?