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Pope Francis thinks Falklands belong to Argentina

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And when has the world of rational people, with common political sense took any notice of a Pope???
I believe Children should not be molested but does the Pope listen to me?
Reply 142
Original post by Drewski
He was the senior figure in Buenos Aires. Of course he came out saying the Falklands belonged to Argentina, what else was he going to say?


Plus, Argentina is Catholic, Britain has the Church of England.
Original post by danny111
Plus, Argentina is Catholic, Britain has the Church of England.



Amongst others. But you're right. The Vatican won't be getting involved in this.

looks like Argentina is about to default on some loans again.

http://m.europe.wsj.com/articles/a/SB10001424127887323611604578396800311423588?mg=reno64-wsj
Im sure the opinion of a man who believes in a talking snake and that a man lived inside a fish is worth listening to on International Relations
Reply 145
The pope can think what he wants, the Bishop of Rome has no power in Britain and our constitution is set up specifically to the prevent it.

On the whole Falklands issue, I don't think we should take lectures on colonialism from the Spaniards in Argentina.
Original post by AJ_Moose
Do you have a source for stating the EU are behind us? Not saying you're wrong, just I don't recall the EU publicly backing Britain's stance.


Spain was quite supportive of Argentina, using them as a proxy for the argument to take control of Gibralter.

I think that support stopped abruptly when Argentina started nationalising Spanish companies
As the Pope he doesn't have the luxury to take sides so easily, but neither does his opinion hold weight since his jurisdiction is spiritual matters concerning Catholics, not political matters concerning the UK, the Falklanders and the Argentinian states weird claims.
Original post by Fullofsurprises
Broadly, the EU respects the existing overseas territories of member states. As part of accession, the legitimacy of such possessions is supposedly reviewed, although there have been no cases disputed by the EU.

According to COHA, EU language suggests tacit support for the UK line.
http://www.coha.org/coha-statement-the-falklandsmalvinas-referendum-the-islanders-voice-is-far-from-being-trivial/

There isn't much more on it, the EU prefers to keep at arms length from the private territorial disputes of member states unless they are between each other.


Probably helps too that France is a big influence in the EU and has quite a few overseas territories of their own, more than the UK. Netherlands still have the Netherlands Anitilles and Aruba in the Carribean, and Denmark has Greenland and the Faroe Islands (closer to Scotland than the Falklands are to Argentina). Although not considered overseas territories, Spain has the Canary Islands, and Portugal the Azores and Madeira, two of which are off the coast of Africa. It would be hypocritical for any of those to say we should give up the Falklands, especially when quite a few other countries overseas territories have native populations (as do some of our other ones). Same goes for the US too who have a number of overseas territories (and find some of ours quite useful). The Americans have even removed the natives from some to make way for military facilities or just to test nukes.
Original post by fluttershy
Probably helps too that France is a big influence in the EU and has quite a few overseas territories of their own, more than the UK. Netherlands still have the Netherlands Anitilles and Aruba in the Carribean, and Denmark has Greenland and the Faroe Islands (closer to Scotland than the Falklands are to Argentina). Although not considered overseas territories, Spain has the Canary Islands, and Portugal the Azores and Madeira, two of which are off the coast of Africa. It would be hypocritical for any of those to say we should give up the Falklands, especially when quite a few other countries overseas territories have native populations (as do some of our other ones). Same goes for the US too who have a number of overseas territories (and find some of ours quite useful). The Americans have even removed the natives from some to make way for military facilities or just to test nukes.


Yes and let's not forget the UK's disgraceful (and utterly imperialistic and colonialist - in modern times!) conduct in Diego Garcia, supported by the US.
Original post by Fullofsurprises
Yes and let's not forget the UK's disgraceful (and utterly imperialistic and colonialist - in modern times!) conduct in Diego Garcia, supported by the US.


That's a slightly controverial one, as there was no native population, those removed were collonists. Doesn't mean it was right though, but it does show another side of overseas collonies, is it right to force removal of collonists? Obviously there will be varying circumstances, removing collonists that have taken land from natives is more acceptable than removing collonists from previously uninhabited territory. Then there are cases where removal isn't forced, but might be pressured, for example by handing over sovereignty (which would apply to the Falklands). There is also the issue of smaller scale removals that happen quite often all around the world. Of cource how relocations are handled plays a big part too, and reasons for it.

Again it's a hypocracy that the same people who would seriously criticise actions like those at Diego Garcia (and other similar places) would probably happily see the "invading" populations forcefully moved from other places, including the Falklands.

Personally I think Diego Garcia was bad (just because people aren't native doesn't give a right to remove them from their home), but anything that lead to removal of some or all of the population of the Falklands would be no better.

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