Falkland Islands

My Ph.D. dissertation was about the efforts of a United Nations committee to speed the granting of independence or self-government to colonial people. I once was an expert on really obscure colonies such as the Cook Islands or Niue.  I should point out that some colonies that the U.N. thought should be independent actually wanted to continue their ties to their colonial overlords.  For example, the residents of Greenland seem to be quite happy to have Denmark conduct their foreign affairs.

This week the residents of the Falkland Islands, also known as Malvinas Islands in Argentina, voted overwhelmingly to remain British.  You may remember a war over these islands when Margaret Thatcher was the British Prime Minister.  The vote this week was 1513 in favor of retaining British rule, with four people opposed.

Argentina dismissed the vote, calling the voters “settlers” and claiming the islands for Argentina.  My belief is that people should get the government they want. It is called “self-determination.”  It is a principle of the U.N., and it deserves respect.  Argentina, home of Juan Peron and the “disappeared ones” under the rule of the generals, should shut its mouth and respect the wishes of the people on the islands.