Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Angry
Either way, given that the nationality of the islanders is not in dispute then it is better that the territorial claim be settled once and for all via diplomatic means rather than militaristic jingoism.
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That suggestion presupposes that there is a claim to be settled. Just because Argentina makes a claim, it does not follow that the claim is legitimate. And at this point the British government has no reason to acknowledge, and therefore legitimise, Argentina's claim by agreeing to talk about it.
The UK holds all the cards here. Despite petty manoeuvres such as barring Falklands-flagged vessels from South American ports, ultimately Argentina will lose out. It stood to gain from the construction of any on-shore processing facilities required once oil starts to flow from the seabed around the islands but that is now increasingly unlikely.