Post by Johnmcd on Dec 10, 2004 20:04:02 GMT -3
Dear all,
Following the ground breaking news where Spain, Gibraltar along with the UK agreed to normalise relationships and shelve sovereignty concerns - it is now prudent to see if this kind of agreement would work between the Falkland Islands and Argentina.
Spain, a very active economic partner with the UK, within the EU, see normal relationships with Gibraltar as far more important than pursuing sovereignty. This made sense ages ago, but headway in this direction was always clouded by ‘attack and defence’ over sovereignty that led absolutely no where. I must say it was a surprise to hear of the agreement - it came out of the blue, but as we now see, it is extremely welcome in all quarters. Can this type of sober diplomacy work in the SW Atlantic?
I really believe it can.
The Spain/Gib agreement, as I have found out, was the result of much backroom diplomatic debate, where 2 years ago ‘sharing sovereignty’ was first discussed, but found unworkable due to a massive public outcry in Gib and in the UK. Self-determining rights had to be acknowledged. On the other hand so had compliance to EU law. Gib was notoriously non-compliant. This is not the case now. Gib is more or less a self governing autonomous area within Southern Spain, but now unopposed by Spain, who have opened the door to much EU funding for the whole region. Everyone now benefits.
How this can work in SW Atlantic?
The Falkland Islands will remain self-determining regardless of any pressure from Argentina or indeed the UK. That has definitely been the case since 1985 when they established (with the UK) their own constitution and government. No one save themselves can change this now. But self- determining doesn’t automatically mean self-sufficiency - though this is an oft FIG boast. But it is no more than a boast. Buyers and sellers of fishing licenses have come and went - same as the Illex.
The island government must look further forward and propose to breath new life back into the islands. They can’t do this their own, in isolation. They must know a sustainable existence lies in building up their community - save it be a far away rest home for the well pensioned and a prison for the young, whose energy for life might take them elsewhere.
Co-operation with whom?
Most definitely Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay and Brazil. The so called Mercosur countries. But Mercosur is a dead duck with no success in liberalising economies and removing barriers to trade. It is fatality wounded says, Abel Viglioni, of Fiel, an Argentine economic think-tank, who believes that the project has no hope of success as an economic entity unless the ailing institutions on which it is based are radically reformed (source London Times 8/12)
The future for the Falklands?
Yesterday, (9/12) Leaders of South America began a two-day summit hoping to reach agreement on the creation of a European-style economic and political union. The Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones. The eventual aim is to establish a South American Parliament with a single currency, removal of national boundaries. This can only brought about by de-constructing ‘Planet South America, the ‘lost continent’ and capitalising on trade with other world economic and political unions. Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones will have neither its own budget, institutions nor any trade agreements beyond what exists within the continent. Nothing else exists save Brazils alliance with the USA through the North American Free Trade Association (Nafta) The reality is Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones working with all Economic and Political Unions in order to work and of course be desirable to all S. American countries, whose existing trade is country oriented, diverse and often specialised. (I don’t mean drugs!)
Proponents of Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones will work under established and future international law under the auspice of freedom of trade to draw valid responses from the rest of the free trading world to be part of it in every sense of the word.
If such a S. American union does emerge, and I think it will soon, then the 17 million sq kilometres (6.56 million sq miles) with a population of 361 million must surely acknowledge, with equal deference, the democratic nature of the Falkland Islands and its established economy and regional ‘use’ in this new union. Logical reasoning determines that mere post colonial sovereignty disputes can no longer be seen as aged European ’imperial capitalist intrigue’ It must be adequate for all S American countries to see the islands as nothing more complicated than a new emerging democratic regional state. The islands too, must see their future and distinct culture, as beneficiary to S American evolution since its liberation from the Spanish conquistadors who were defeated by republican forces in the battle of Ayacucho in Peru, marking the moment of liberation for the whole continent in December 9, 1824.
Quite a significant date!
The Falkland Islands, my islands, more than those who live there - do have a future - one that has resonance in the whole S America with the opportunity to break the UK umbilical cord and stand with neighbours whose ailing political institutions are ready for radical reform.
The Falklands and Argentina (and the rest S. America) have a wonderful future ahead - and be will free to choose it.
Do they know it?
Best wishes,
John.
Following the ground breaking news where Spain, Gibraltar along with the UK agreed to normalise relationships and shelve sovereignty concerns - it is now prudent to see if this kind of agreement would work between the Falkland Islands and Argentina.
Spain, a very active economic partner with the UK, within the EU, see normal relationships with Gibraltar as far more important than pursuing sovereignty. This made sense ages ago, but headway in this direction was always clouded by ‘attack and defence’ over sovereignty that led absolutely no where. I must say it was a surprise to hear of the agreement - it came out of the blue, but as we now see, it is extremely welcome in all quarters. Can this type of sober diplomacy work in the SW Atlantic?
I really believe it can.
The Spain/Gib agreement, as I have found out, was the result of much backroom diplomatic debate, where 2 years ago ‘sharing sovereignty’ was first discussed, but found unworkable due to a massive public outcry in Gib and in the UK. Self-determining rights had to be acknowledged. On the other hand so had compliance to EU law. Gib was notoriously non-compliant. This is not the case now. Gib is more or less a self governing autonomous area within Southern Spain, but now unopposed by Spain, who have opened the door to much EU funding for the whole region. Everyone now benefits.
How this can work in SW Atlantic?
The Falkland Islands will remain self-determining regardless of any pressure from Argentina or indeed the UK. That has definitely been the case since 1985 when they established (with the UK) their own constitution and government. No one save themselves can change this now. But self- determining doesn’t automatically mean self-sufficiency - though this is an oft FIG boast. But it is no more than a boast. Buyers and sellers of fishing licenses have come and went - same as the Illex.
The island government must look further forward and propose to breath new life back into the islands. They can’t do this their own, in isolation. They must know a sustainable existence lies in building up their community - save it be a far away rest home for the well pensioned and a prison for the young, whose energy for life might take them elsewhere.
Co-operation with whom?
Most definitely Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay and Brazil. The so called Mercosur countries. But Mercosur is a dead duck with no success in liberalising economies and removing barriers to trade. It is fatality wounded says, Abel Viglioni, of Fiel, an Argentine economic think-tank, who believes that the project has no hope of success as an economic entity unless the ailing institutions on which it is based are radically reformed (source London Times 8/12)
The future for the Falklands?
Yesterday, (9/12) Leaders of South America began a two-day summit hoping to reach agreement on the creation of a European-style economic and political union. The Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones. The eventual aim is to establish a South American Parliament with a single currency, removal of national boundaries. This can only brought about by de-constructing ‘Planet South America, the ‘lost continent’ and capitalising on trade with other world economic and political unions. Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones will have neither its own budget, institutions nor any trade agreements beyond what exists within the continent. Nothing else exists save Brazils alliance with the USA through the North American Free Trade Association (Nafta) The reality is Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones working with all Economic and Political Unions in order to work and of course be desirable to all S. American countries, whose existing trade is country oriented, diverse and often specialised. (I don’t mean drugs!)
Proponents of Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones will work under established and future international law under the auspice of freedom of trade to draw valid responses from the rest of the free trading world to be part of it in every sense of the word.
If such a S. American union does emerge, and I think it will soon, then the 17 million sq kilometres (6.56 million sq miles) with a population of 361 million must surely acknowledge, with equal deference, the democratic nature of the Falkland Islands and its established economy and regional ‘use’ in this new union. Logical reasoning determines that mere post colonial sovereignty disputes can no longer be seen as aged European ’imperial capitalist intrigue’ It must be adequate for all S American countries to see the islands as nothing more complicated than a new emerging democratic regional state. The islands too, must see their future and distinct culture, as beneficiary to S American evolution since its liberation from the Spanish conquistadors who were defeated by republican forces in the battle of Ayacucho in Peru, marking the moment of liberation for the whole continent in December 9, 1824.
Quite a significant date!
The Falkland Islands, my islands, more than those who live there - do have a future - one that has resonance in the whole S America with the opportunity to break the UK umbilical cord and stand with neighbours whose ailing political institutions are ready for radical reform.
The Falklands and Argentina (and the rest S. America) have a wonderful future ahead - and be will free to choose it.
Do they know it?
Best wishes,
John.