The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #102574   Message #2081385
Posted By: Teribus
19-Jun-07 - 04:10 PM
Thread Name: Falklands 25yearson /HorseGuards Parade
Subject: RE: Falklands 25yearson /HorseGuards Parade
Some facts about Diego Garcia - British Indian Ocean Territory:

In 1966, the crown bought the islands and plantations, which had been under private ownership and which had not been profitable with the introduction of new oils and lubricants. In 1971, the plantations were closed because of the agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States to make Diego Garcia available to the U.S. as a military base.

The agreement between the UK and U.S. for the U.S. to use the island as a military base specifies that the agreement runs until 2036, but that either government can opt out of the agreement in 2016.

In 2000, the High Court granted the islanders the right to return to the Archipelago and granted them UK citizenship. In 2002, the islanders and their descendants, now numbering 4,500, returned to court claiming compensation, after what they said were two years of delays by the British Foreign Office. However, on June 10, 2004, the British government made two Orders-in-Council banning the islanders from returning home, reversing the 2000 court decision. Some of the Ilois are making return plans to turn Diego Garcia into a sugarcane and fishing enterprise as soon as the defense agreement expires (possibly as early as 2016, but almost certainly in 2036 – unless the agreement is renewed). A few dozen other Ilois are still fighting to be housed in the UK.

On May 11, 2006, the British High Court ruled that the 2004 Orders-in-Council were unlawful, and consequently that the Ilois were entitled to return to the Chagos Archipelago. This judgement was upheld by the Court of Appeal on May 23, 2007, It remains to be seen whether the British Government will make a further appeal, and when or how the judgment might be implemented in practice.

Now some facts about the Falkland Islands - Self-Governing British Territory:

The inhabitants of the islands are British citizens known as "Kelpers". Many of whom can trace their origins in the Islands back to early nineteenth century Scottish immigration. They totally reject the Argentine sovereignty claim.

The islands were invaded by Argentina on 2nd April, 1982, their intent being to permanently annex the islands and dispossess the inhabitants against their wishes. It was a naked act of acquisition by aggression without thought or consideration for the inhabitants of the islands who owned the land they farmed and worked.

British Forces were sent South to retake the islands and restore the rights and security of the islanders. This was achieved with the surrender of the Argentine Forces on 14th June 1982.

Now some facts about Grenada - Independent Country:

Became an independent island state on the 7th February, 1974.

A power struggle developed between Bishop and a majority of the ruling People's Revolutionary Government (PRG), including the co-founder of the NJM, Bernard Coard. This led to Bishop's house arrest; he and many others were eventually executed at Fort George on October 19, 1983 during a hardline PRA coup which brought a new pro-Soviet/Cuban government under General Hudson Austin to power. At the time of the coup there were about 50 Cuban military advisors and 700 armed construction workers on the island.

Six days later, the island was invaded by forces from the United States purportedly at the behest of Dame Eugenia Charles, of Dominica. Five other Caribbean nations participated with Dominica and the USA in the campaign, called Operation Urgent Fury. Although the Governor-General, Sir Paul Scoon later stated that he had requested the invasion, the governments of the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago expressed anger at not having been consulted.

At no time at all was there ever any intent of annexation or occupation. After the invasion, United States gave $48.4 million in economic assistance to Grenada in 1984, and left the island to its own devices.

Comparisons between Diego Garcia/The Falklands/Grenada are ridiculous.