Post by Johnmcd on Aug 13, 2004 17:11:59 GMT -3
Dear all,
In answer to the ‘severe criticism’ that I have received over my posting ‘Walking Over the Dead.
To Ernie:
I have no particular brand of politics to flaunt to anyone and that includes the islanders. But I do have views. Some of those views are quite strong and some more are quite naturally developing. No matter what views I hold - they are mine, which I take full responsibility for. Now let’s go back to the original posting and think clearly...
In the lead posting I wrote:
“Now make what you want of the Penguin Press release given below, see it your own way, both ways or be indifferent”<br>
Here I open by not deliberately trying to force my own views but instead invite the reader to make up his own mind by reading and interpreting the press release for themselves.
I follow by saying...
“The way I see it is just another disgusting attempt by the islands councillors to ever deepen the divide”<br>
This is me telling all - that this is my view. This view being consistent and strongly held. I later substantiated that view in a MF reply to Gabriel, which some you might have read by now. (I regret that I did not do so in the original posting) No matter, let me reiterate why I have arrived at that view.
A close study of post war relationships between the Falklands and Argentina will show that no dialogue has been achieved by the FIG (on their own initiative) to open normal links with their near neighbour. The only exception being the 14 July 1999 Joint Statement that was brokered by the UK with Argentina and only witnessed by 2 members of the islands Legislative Council. You will know that the erection of the Argentine War Memorial at Darwin was also part of that agreement. Argentina on the other hand has indeed attempted to show shared interest, but continues to be automatically rebuffed on the basis of ‘creeping sovereignty’ and of course the well mentioned FIG manifesto of having nothing to do with Argentina. The laws of Cause and Effect then come into play. The ‘Cause’ clearly (in my view) is the crude attitude of the FIG towards Argentina. The ‘Effect’ being Charter Flight bans and continued acrimony. So from the start to the present there has been a domino effect that has led up to Argentine officials interrupting the previously planned and now cancelled private visit to the memorial. (Ages ago, I mentioned that accompanying Argentine government officials to the war Memorial should be welcomed on the islands and not go through the ‘passport stamping ceremony’ No visiting diplomats go through this process in any other country) To do that would be a intolerable humiliation.
I have also been maliciously accused of endangering peace and reconciliation! As Ernie writes...
“Please try to leave your personal political agenda out of this Forum which has the purpose of trying to bring Argentines and Falkland Islanders closer together, not alienating them by disseminating unsubstantiated propaganda, thank you”<br>
That’s a bit rich and certainly not true.
My pitch is, and always has been, is that the islands should adopt the same practical approach as HMG. This approach would call for the FIG to open normal two way communication links with Argentina. Let’s be absolutely clear: Britain has for years enjoyed good - normal relationships with Argentina and will continue to do so. Why the Falkland Islands have not, is to me, quite bewildering. Indeed anyone from the international community looking from the outside looking in will also wonder why? especially after 22 years of peacefulness. Of course the usual FIG cry will come up that any bridging effort will allow Argentinean sovereignty to come in through the back door. This cannot happen anymore as it nearly did prior to 1982. The same political climate that existed then does not exist today and would be impossible to repeat.
Today, I have little doubts that the islands are self-confident enough, with the required political machinery, to run every aspect of their own affairs without fear of ever having to compromise their own self-determination. Therefore, continuous, direct and practical dialogue between the islands and Argentina is a step that should be taken. To my mind this is the route towards lasting peace and reconciliation and a future of successful co-operation that would replace the acrimony that exists today.
From my own personal perspective - that would be by far the best memorial for those who fought for the islanders freedom in 1982.
Best wishes,
John.
In answer to the ‘severe criticism’ that I have received over my posting ‘Walking Over the Dead.
To Ernie:
I have no particular brand of politics to flaunt to anyone and that includes the islanders. But I do have views. Some of those views are quite strong and some more are quite naturally developing. No matter what views I hold - they are mine, which I take full responsibility for. Now let’s go back to the original posting and think clearly...
In the lead posting I wrote:
“Now make what you want of the Penguin Press release given below, see it your own way, both ways or be indifferent”<br>
Here I open by not deliberately trying to force my own views but instead invite the reader to make up his own mind by reading and interpreting the press release for themselves.
I follow by saying...
“The way I see it is just another disgusting attempt by the islands councillors to ever deepen the divide”<br>
This is me telling all - that this is my view. This view being consistent and strongly held. I later substantiated that view in a MF reply to Gabriel, which some you might have read by now. (I regret that I did not do so in the original posting) No matter, let me reiterate why I have arrived at that view.
A close study of post war relationships between the Falklands and Argentina will show that no dialogue has been achieved by the FIG (on their own initiative) to open normal links with their near neighbour. The only exception being the 14 July 1999 Joint Statement that was brokered by the UK with Argentina and only witnessed by 2 members of the islands Legislative Council. You will know that the erection of the Argentine War Memorial at Darwin was also part of that agreement. Argentina on the other hand has indeed attempted to show shared interest, but continues to be automatically rebuffed on the basis of ‘creeping sovereignty’ and of course the well mentioned FIG manifesto of having nothing to do with Argentina. The laws of Cause and Effect then come into play. The ‘Cause’ clearly (in my view) is the crude attitude of the FIG towards Argentina. The ‘Effect’ being Charter Flight bans and continued acrimony. So from the start to the present there has been a domino effect that has led up to Argentine officials interrupting the previously planned and now cancelled private visit to the memorial. (Ages ago, I mentioned that accompanying Argentine government officials to the war Memorial should be welcomed on the islands and not go through the ‘passport stamping ceremony’ No visiting diplomats go through this process in any other country) To do that would be a intolerable humiliation.
I have also been maliciously accused of endangering peace and reconciliation! As Ernie writes...
“Please try to leave your personal political agenda out of this Forum which has the purpose of trying to bring Argentines and Falkland Islanders closer together, not alienating them by disseminating unsubstantiated propaganda, thank you”<br>
That’s a bit rich and certainly not true.
My pitch is, and always has been, is that the islands should adopt the same practical approach as HMG. This approach would call for the FIG to open normal two way communication links with Argentina. Let’s be absolutely clear: Britain has for years enjoyed good - normal relationships with Argentina and will continue to do so. Why the Falkland Islands have not, is to me, quite bewildering. Indeed anyone from the international community looking from the outside looking in will also wonder why? especially after 22 years of peacefulness. Of course the usual FIG cry will come up that any bridging effort will allow Argentinean sovereignty to come in through the back door. This cannot happen anymore as it nearly did prior to 1982. The same political climate that existed then does not exist today and would be impossible to repeat.
Today, I have little doubts that the islands are self-confident enough, with the required political machinery, to run every aspect of their own affairs without fear of ever having to compromise their own self-determination. Therefore, continuous, direct and practical dialogue between the islands and Argentina is a step that should be taken. To my mind this is the route towards lasting peace and reconciliation and a future of successful co-operation that would replace the acrimony that exists today.
From my own personal perspective - that would be by far the best memorial for those who fought for the islanders freedom in 1982.
Best wishes,
John.