The Falklands, War or Panic?

[Heart of Oak]

Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne has said that the UK's position on the Falkland Islands is "non-negotiable".
He spoke during a Westminster Hall debate on 31 January 2012 ahead of the 30th anniversary of the 1982 Falklands War.
He told MPs: "We should be clear and unequivocal about the position of the British government and the British parliament."
The islands have been under British sovereignty since 1833, despite territorial claims by Argentina.
In December, the Argentine parliament passed a law laying claim to the Falklands, along with nearby South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, in a move rejected by the UK.
The debate came on the same day that it was announced that HMS Dauntless would be deployed to the South Atlantic, although no reference was made to this in the debate.
The Argentine government has accused Britain of breaking a United Nations resolution forbidding unilateral development in disputed waters, by beginning oil drilling under a seabed off the Falkland Islands.
David Cameron has told MPs that Argentina had a "colonialist" attitude to the islands, a claim repeated by the Conservative MP for Hexham, Guy Opperman, who opened the debate.
He added that Argentina's claim was "genuinely weak", and that "annexation of a small, peaceful neighbour has no place in the 21st Century".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/...00/9689808.stm

HMS Dauntless, which has been deployed to the South Atlantic, is as good as sending a whole fleet by the standards of 1982.

Also, there are now already submarines in those waters look out Argentina, do you really think you have a second chance?

[Albion]

Dauntless will set sail for the Falkland Islands in the coming weeks armed with a battery of missiles that could "take out all of South America's fighter aircraft let alone Argentina's," according to one Navy source.
The Type 45 destroyer is the most advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic ship in the world equipped with 48 Sea Viper missiles and the Sampson radar, which is more advanced than Heathrow air traffic control
The ship is in a league of its own in air defence able to track dozens of multiple targets
"It can shoot down Argentine fighters as soon as they take off from they bases," said another Navy source. "This will give Buenos Aires serious pause for thought."
The deployment, expected in late March, comes as Argentina has stepped up its sabre rattling over possession of the islands with a ban on all Falkland registered ships in South American ports.

David Cameron has responded that the sovereignty of the islands is not for negotiation.
Sending the £1 billion Dauntless on her first mission to the area will reinforce Britain’s position although it will cause difficulties for the Foreign Office which is trying to downplay the rhetoric.
Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord and Falklands veteran, said the Type 45 has an “amazing anti-air warfare capability.”
He also sent a warning to the Buenos Aires government. “Should there be any foolish nonsense from Argentina, Dauntless can sit just off the airfield and take down any aircraft coming in. It’s a game-changing capability.”
A Navy Spokesman said: “The Royal Navy has had a continuous presence in the South Atlantic for many years. The deployment of HMS Dauntless to the South Atlantic has been long planned, is entirely routine and replaces another ship on patrol."
Dauntless will replace the ageing Type 23 frigate Montrose.
Earlier this month the Navy sent Daring, the first Type 45, to the Arabian Gulf as tensions with Iran increase.

"take out all of South America's fighter aircraft let alone Argentina's" is probably a bit of an exaggeration, but sending this down there will let them no we're not messing about.

Two other articles:
Nuclear submarine should be sent to Falklands to show British anger at boat ban decision - hopefully it'll be joined by this.

[Albion]

I don't think there'll be war so long as we keep a reasonable military presence in the islands, just more tantrums from Argentina.

[Black Sun Dimension]

Chavez said he's going to back Argentina in her struggle againts imperialism. He sent some commandos already; Royal Navy...watch out for these guys.

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[Fortis in Arduis]

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[Aces High]

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[Heart of Oak]

I really hope and pray that another conflict with Argentina can be avoided at all costs.
I remember the last, as if it was only yesterday.
Many of my mates never made it back, and the full horror cannot be explained.

However if it has to be, then England expects every man...

It will be totally different this time, I almost feel sorry for Argentina.
We have tolerated this third world circus for long enough.

The Falkland island's belong to the U.K. And we shall defend them again, if we have no choice, once again. The Argentina people must listen to their hearts and not a Goverment that quotes ancient Spainish B/S in order to steal oil rites.

[Óttar]

"The residents of the Falklands shall ever remain loyal subjects of Her Majesty's Empire!"

- Maggie Thatcher (Fellow I1 Y-DNA carrier )

[Black Sun Dimension]

Well this is interesting! These news even made it to the local newspapers where I live: there was a small article that says that the argentinians are unhappy/uneasy that a british prince in coming aboard the warship in his military attire; they feel it gives off the wrong impression.

[NaziMick]

The Falklands should be returned to Argentina, we are a long dead world power! Only on the thought that we can have free oil do we still make idiotic claims to it! We should bring the Troops home and defend our Borders!!