generalspeaking

Empire, Begone!

What can any sane people do but wince when they read anything that issues from the mouth of Hugo Chavez. Now he has stood straight up on his raunchy hind legs to bray at Queen Elizabeth II that she must cease and desist in her determination to continue the legacy of the British Empire. "The time for empires is over, haven't you noticed? Return the Malvinas to the Argentine people."

As much as it sticks in the craw, reasonable people, and that obviously does not include anyone residing in Great Britain, can only agree. What the hell is England doing, continuing to insist that they 'own' the Falkland Islands, because several hundred years ago as they were expanding their empire, they settled some British residents there, in favour of the indigent population.

Rule Britannia is a shadow of the past. To the past it should be relegated. But Britain's militant spirit cannot be assuaged by reason, in this matter. Sovereignty has been royally advanced to all its former colonies, but because the current residents of the Falkland/Malvinas remain staunchly British, the country insists it must oblige itself by retaining possession.

Of a land mass clearly by geographic association, belonging to Argentina. Of course there is a newly-realized impetus for both Argentina and Britain to continue to claim ownership. And now a Scottish oil rig has begun drilling an exploratory well in the North Falkland Basin, where it is anticipated 3.5-billion barrels of oil can be exploited.

A powerful incentive in today's energy-hungry world for both countries to continue antagonizing one another through counter-claims of ownership. Setting aside history and the dreary tradition of empire building and colonial exploitation, it seems reasonable that Britain should acknowledge it is past time to pull up her stakes and graciously leave in Argentina's favour.

Enough blood was shed in 1982, when the two countries had their disastrous military clash.

Labels: Britain, Economy, Political Realities

posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, February 24, 2010