Need To Know-The Falkands

NEED TO KNOW FALKLANDS Small Waves Epic tsunamis may strike the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean every million years or so, according to British researchers who discussed their findings with the BBC. Cautioning folks not to worry too much about when the next tidal wave might occur, they noted that sediment samples unearthed in oil explorations helped them make their discoveries. That twin sense of living on the edge of oblivion and the promise of energy riches among people pulling together might describe life on the rugged, remote British overseas territory. Argentina’s invasion of the archipelago 38 years ago might have been the last time the islanders were in any real danger. This fascinating story in the National Interest recalls some of the extraordinary naval fighting in that brief but bloody war. A new war isn’t likely to flare up. But bad feelings still linger from that period. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez recently announced a raft of new measures to reassert Argentina’s sovereignty over the islands, including expanding its claims on the continental shelf for energy exploration and sanctioning fishing vessels that it considers as having illegally trawled in this new zone, reported MercoPress. Fernandez disapproved of his predecessor’s cooperation with Britain on issues like air traffic, fishing, and identifying the remains of Argentine soldiers. “Our common home has a bleeding wound in the deepest of our sovereignty feeling, the usurpation of the Malvinas,” he said, referring to the Argentine term for the islands. That speech was a boon for editors at the Express, a British tabloid that covered the issue with a characteristic lack of restraint, running with the headline: “Falklands chaos: Argentina’s extraordinary plot to seize back control – ‘Bleeding wound!’” Real life is often more interesting than the hype. Argentine sporting officials, for example, have demanded that Falklands-based badminton teams use the name “Malvinas” or else not play in South American tournaments, wrote Sky News. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also recently cited the Falkland Islands as a territory that might someday want to govern itself, arguably providing grist for Argentina’s claims. But Britain responded to those assertions with a statement noting that Falkland Islanders have repeatedly voted to remain associated with the United Kingdom. A proposal to reform local government via a March 26 referendum that has been postponed for six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that the islands’ politics remain robust. Local government is also active, recently approving a new port, for example. As Global Construction Review explained, the new port will likely expand business and open the Falklands up for tourism. As leaders pontificate, life moves on.