Special Relationship update: Obama sides with Argentina, Hugo Chavez on Falklands
posted at 5:56 pm on June 9, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
And not for the first time, either. In part of Barack Obama’s “smart power” diplomacy that he promised would restore our standing with American allies, the Obama administration sided with Argentina in demanding that the UK open negotiations over the status of the Falkland Islands, joining such stalwart American allies as Nicaragua and Venezuela. The OAS declaration even uses the Argentinian name for the islands, a particular insult, as Nile Gardiner notes:
President Obama was effusive in his praise for the Special Relationship when he visited London recently, but his administration continues to slap Britain in the face over the highly sensitive Falklands issue. Washington signed on to a “draft declaration on the question of the Malvinas Islands”passed by unanimous consent by the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) at its meeting in San Salvador yesterday, an issue which had been heavily pushed by Argentina. In doing so, the United States sided not only with Buenos Aires, but also with a number of anti-American regimes including Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela and Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua. …
Washington backed a similar resolution in June last year, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it clear in a joint press conference with Cristina Kirchner in Buenos Aires in March 2010 that the Obama administration fully backs Argentina’s calls for negotiations over the Falkands, handing her Argentine counterpart a significant propaganda coup. The State Department has also insultingly referred to the Islands in the past as the Malvinas, the Argentine name for them.
As far as the British are concerned, there is no “sovereignty dispute.” According to the Falklanders themselves (from last year), there isn’t a dispute, either:
The 3,000-strong community is already proudly British – the phone boxes are the old red ones, the groceries are from Waitrose and many still refer to the UK as “home”.
A police officer described how last week’s Argentine sabre-rattling had set off a rash of unofficial flag-flying, joining the houses that already have the British or Falklands flag painted on roofs and walls. “Everybody’s on edge really but they’re being philosophical about it,” said the police officer. …
The younger islanders may not share the older generation’s memories but there is clearly no love lost with the Argentines among them, too. A handful live on the islands but “keep a very low profile”, said Mrs Edwards. There is very little trade with Argentina, and supplies and visitors have to come either from Chile or Britain. “We’ve got used to living as if Argentina’s not there,” said Warren Miller, 16. “So long as they don’t attack us again, I’m not bothered what they do.”
So the people who live there want to remain part of the UK. On what basis does the US intend to demand talks over sovereignty? It can’t be self-determination, because if that were the case, there would be no question that the Falklands are British, and should stay British. Nor can it be a question of colonialism, as the Falklands have their own home-rule government within the UK’s sovereignty, and the people of the islands consider themselves fully British. Moreover, the OAS declaration comes in response to a threat of military action from Argentina, which has publicly talked about a blockade of British shipping in the region over sovereignty claims by Buenos Aires.
Back to Gardiner for some perspective:
It is hugely disappointing that the Obama administration has chosen once again to side not only with the increasingly authoritarian regime in Argentina, but also with an array of despots in Latin America against British interests. Mrs Clinton should be reminded that 255 brave British servicemen laid down their lives in 1982 for the freedom of the Falkland Islanders, who are overwhelmingly British, following the brutal Argentine invasion.
The sovereignty of the Islands is not a matter for negotiation, and Britain will never give in to threats from Argentina or its tyrannical allies in places such as Venezuela. The White House recently declared that Britain remains America’s most important ally. Now it should live up to its words by supporting Washington’s closest friend and partner on matters of vital British interest, including the future of British subjects living in the South Atlantic, whose only wish is to remain free under the protection of the Union Jack.
There seems to be no reason for the Obama administration to back a demand for negotiations over the Falklands, unless it’s just to curry favor with anti-American regimes by tossing our allies under the bus as appeasement. It’s an absurd stance and an insult to the British, as well as to the actual people on the islands themselves.
Update: Fausta can’t believe it either.
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All they got is Barry? Britain has the Gurkhas.
Christien on June 9, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, la Presidenta de Argentina
steebo77 on June 9, 2011 at 5:59 PM
but I don’t think UK will go to war to keep them either. so OBambi & Chavez & the rest of the tyrants can get them. Or maybe we’ll start our 5th war in the Falklands
kelley in virginia on June 9, 2011 at 5:59 PM
The way the President is going I’m wonder just how many allies the US will have left in 2013.
Tommy_G on June 9, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Maybe it’s just a distraction from how bad the economy really is…
/
Seven Percent Solution on June 9, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Cameron is no Thatcher, the British navy is a shell of its former self, and Britain can’t afford another war.
That’s probably Obama’s and the despots’ reasoning.
Wethal on June 9, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Worthless B*****D!
annoyinglittletwerp on June 9, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Siding with the leftists/marxists in South America, offering money we don’t have to help bail out Greece, the NLRB telling companies where they can and can’t build new factories, etc, etc, etc.
Every day this country looks more like the dystopic world of Atlas Shrugged.
iurockhead on June 9, 2011 at 6:03 PM
What a dumbass.
EnochCain on June 9, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Who knew that what 43 other Presidents helped build could be destroyed by one Jackass President?
portlandon on June 9, 2011 at 6:03 PM
This is really simple, even for “The Smartest Man in the World”. THE PEOPLE OF THE FALKLANDS DON’T WANT TO BE PART OF ARGENTINA!
See how easy that was, you stupid freaking twit!
GarandFan on June 9, 2011 at 6:03 PM
And Obama and the rest of the OAS thugs forced Honduras to take back Mel Zelaya recently.
All charges against the “I have tin foil on my windows to stop the Zionist mind rays” former presdient were dropped, as the price to let Honduras back into the OAS.
Wethal on June 9, 2011 at 6:04 PM
Do they wanna get their arses kicked again?
Tony737 on June 9, 2011 at 6:05 PM
And they won’t have Barry for much longer. But will that instigate a crisis in the short term?
Dusty on June 9, 2011 at 6:05 PM
Barry would side with King George if it meant he got another 18 holes.
Limerick on June 9, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Good. The Brits adore Obama. They can live with it.
Blake on June 9, 2011 at 6:07 PM
We have got to get this loser out of the White House.
ladyingray on June 9, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Next up: Taiwan.
the_nile on June 9, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Who knew that what
4342 other Presidents helped build could be destroyed by one Jackass President? – PortlandonMinor fixage.
Tony737 on June 9, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Obama is Judas.
Schadenfreude on June 9, 2011 at 6:09 PM
This must be because Argentina and Venezuela are such great American allies and friends. Obama is an idiot and Hillary a psychopath.
pat on June 9, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Couldn’t happen to a more adoring bunch.
Schadenfreude on June 9, 2011 at 6:10 PM
How many times does Obama have to insult the British and damage their interests before people understand that he hates them? He isn’t man enough to keep his impulses under control when it comes to them.
His grandfather was allegedly tortured in a Kenyan prison, but their may be more to it than just that. He doesn’t seem to have much use for America the way it is, but he can’t really let that show. The Canadians are right next door, so it is impolitic to get into it with them. But the British may epitomize to him all the evils of empire, political, economic and racial.
And after all, what is the use of being President if you can’t pi** on someone?
novaculus on June 9, 2011 at 6:10 PM
And our smart power President wonders why the band started playing.
Speakup on June 9, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Who have been by our side though both Iraq AND Afghanistan.
Tony737 on June 9, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Nah. CFK just wants to make sure she gets re-elected.
steebo77 on June 9, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Stole my post. If Chavez really wants those islands, he’s likely to get them. England is in very poor shape for what would basically be a colonial war.
So sad to see this happening. It would be like if Russia started making noise about wanting Alaska back, and we were in such a shambles that victory was by no means guaranteed. How awful that older Britons have to see this.
Uncle Sams Nephew on June 9, 2011 at 6:11 PM
It’s an insult to Reagan and Thatcher as well.
BHO’s words are meaningless. He’s hoping that no one will pay attention to what he does.
INC on June 9, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Next next up: Hawaii.
yubley on June 9, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Please nobody tell Barry SmartPower about Taiwan.
Cicero43 on June 9, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Please please let us not have bho in 2012! I have no idea if anyone can un-do what this, I don’t dare say how I feel about bho, to help our nation. If bho isn’t stopped and I mean STAT, you and I are sol no one can stop this snake. NO one in dc has the tiny bit of estrogen or testosterone to stop him?
L
letget on June 9, 2011 at 6:13 PM
I did.
Flyboy on June 9, 2011 at 6:14 PM
Et tu, Obamatus?
Paul-Cincy on June 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM
America, I hardly knew ye
faraway on June 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Just when I didn’t think I could despise this treasonous usurper any more than I already do.
single stack on June 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Doing what Ronald Reagan would do and siding with our closest ally.
Hening on June 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Amazing how this idiot manages to be on the wrong side of every frickin issue.
Bobbertsan on June 9, 2011 at 6:16 PM
“In doing so, the United States sided not only with Buenos Aires, but also with a number of anti-American regimes including Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela and Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua. …”
Can there be any further doubt that this toad, Obama…is an avowed Marxist / Commie and should be wearing his “Che” shirt openly now?
Not only has he sided with our southern enemies yet again….he’s sided with our greatest threat from the gitgo…..the muslims.
Impeachment is the only answer for this maniac.
Twana on June 9, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Or Israel.
TexasDan on June 9, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Do we have any left now?
Del Dolemonte on June 9, 2011 at 6:17 PM
The Brits just loved Obama back in 2008. I hope they are happy.
Hilts on June 9, 2011 at 6:18 PM
I forgot to add….we might see the US battling GB naval vessels over the Falklands? We’ll go to war with an old ally?
Twana on June 9, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Obama the Turncoat
Oil Can on June 9, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Yup.
And after China swallows that prize, Russia will go after Georgia.
(Remember how awkwardly & timidly candidate Obama handled the previous aggression there?)
itsnotaboutme on June 9, 2011 at 6:18 PM
We will have allies, just not ones a decent American would want.
Aviator on June 9, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Well surprise, surprise!
/not really though
FloatingRock on June 9, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Obama only helps his fellow Marxists.
tinkerthinker on June 9, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Hurting friends, Helping enemies World Tour 2009-2012
AshleyTKing on June 9, 2011 at 6:20 PM
**Breaking News**
Pres. Obama has just given Texas back to Mexico.
Gov. Perry no longer a resident of the U.S., therefore ineligible to run for President.
Film at 11:00
red winger on June 9, 2011 at 6:20 PM
I guess Canada can now demand France surrender St. Pierre and Miquelon.They have as much claim,if not more,to those islands than Argentina has to the Falklands.
xkaydet65 on June 9, 2011 at 6:20 PM
This is truly beyond words. This lazy a$$ pantload is ruining our Country from the inside out and the outside in.
rjoco1 on June 9, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Typical Obama, he thinks he’s making a stand against colonialism and British Imperialism.
Oh and don’t forget, Prince William was scheduled to go there for advanced helicopter training for a few months in the near future.
A little “incident” there and they could take out the heir to the throne.
Iblis on June 9, 2011 at 6:21 PM
ThePrez on June 9, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Maybe the Brits will keel haul him? Oh how sweet that would be.
A traitor to America…a traitor to our allies….his contempt for GB has been apparent from the time he gave the PM of GB a set of his speeches… interrupted the Qeeen…. returned Churchills bust…and on and on. The dipstick from the ghettos of Chicago has zero class.
In 4 short years this maniac had ruined our relationships with the free world and cozied up to those who wish to destroy us. I need not even mention his hate for Israel which should make Hugo and the rest of the south american maniacs all tingly.
Twana on June 9, 2011 at 6:23 PM
A Toast, to the Queen!
Kini on June 9, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Next up… Ascension Island
BHO will give it to Brazil in exchange for favorable rates on their oil.
ny59giants on June 9, 2011 at 6:24 PM
The next president is going to have to engage in a serious apology tour.
Akzed on June 9, 2011 at 6:24 PM
I guess our Muslim Commie has been found out. Now he is just going to do as much destruction as he can get away with.
tarpon on June 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM
What did the Russians used to call Alaska?
Akzed on June 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM
“Pres. Obama has just given Texas back to Mexico.”
Not without one hell of a brawl!
Twana on June 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM
If there’s trouble in the Falklands, does little Bammie realize that British forces will leave Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lybia in a heartbeat and dump the result on his lap? Does the jackass think that far ahead?
slickwillie2001 on June 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM
Meh.
Knott Buyinit on June 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM
Is Obama going to bomb the UK now, so he can have the world, as his wife said, “build the world as it should be.”?
batterup on June 9, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Honduras…the Falklands…is there any issue on which this imbecile hasn’t reflexively sided with our enemies?
RedMindBlueState on June 9, 2011 at 6:27 PM
Why not give Taiwan back to China
Kini on June 9, 2011 at 6:28 PM
Most Brits apparently hate Britain these days and can’t hand it over fast enough to the Muslims. So, don’t expect a lotta outrage.
Akzed on June 9, 2011 at 6:28 PM
You read my mind.
itsspideyman on June 9, 2011 at 6:28 PM
The Falklands…British and Forever Free.
Malvinas? Now what in hell is a Malvina?
Obama? Just another putz.
coldwarrior on June 9, 2011 at 6:29 PM
This literally is giving me a headache. How did this man get elected?! I feel like I am in some horrible bizzaro world or Earth-3!
Gatsu on June 9, 2011 at 6:29 PM
Next up, Sean Penn as Secretary of State.
Knucklehead on June 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Obama 2012 reelection strategy: South secedes!
faraway on June 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM
He is his father’s son. His anti-colonial roots run deep. Argentina, like Kenya, are victims imperial white colonialism. These are the issues that drove Obama into politics.
swamp_yankee on June 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM
The fight: Bishnu Shrestha, Dipprasad Pun, and this guy versus the Kirchner, Chavez, and Obama regimes.
/Who wins? You know who freakin’ wins.
Christien on June 9, 2011 at 6:32 PM
What do we expect from this un-American faux president. He was educated in his formative years in Indonesia at a Madrassas school (or at least most certainly had boyhood friends that attended them) and learned his initial hatred for America there. Spent 20 years with Jeremiah Wright who to this day the words he preaches (Not God Bless America — God d…. America brings tears to my eyes) and his learning terrorism at the knee of Bill Ayres and his despicable wife stating that “for the first day of my adult life I am proud to be an American”. The apology foreign tour, his hatred of Israel and Britain our most staunch allies and his friendship with Chavez and other Marxist morons. What do we expect. This man is a complete NON American. He has no reason to love our country, his entire being is contrary to our culture and our goodness as people and a country. His entire background is immersed in anti-American culture and lies and rhetoric. Kenya, Indonesia and God knows where and who else. The tide is turning in our country, and the massive mistake America made in electing this foreign thinking anti American will be rectified in November of 2012. Thank God.
highninside on June 9, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Can you imagine how far we have sunk if that line can be written and it’s not immediately dismissed as tripe?
WitchDoctor on June 9, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Give Texas back to Mexico
Kini on June 9, 2011 at 6:34 PM
Argentina brings up the Falklands/Malvinas every time their economy is tanked. They need to distract their citizens.
Remind Argentina of the General Belgrano if you want to piss them off.
lonestar1 on June 9, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Unbelievable. I have been to the falklands, They are british, through and through. They have a very independent attitude, similar to the aussies, and they were fabulous when I was there.
Obama just seems to get worse each day. Unbelievable.
karenhasfreedom on June 9, 2011 at 6:36 PM
On what basis does the US intend to demand talks over sovereignty?
Obama hates Western Civilization.
PattyJ on June 9, 2011 at 6:36 PM
OMEFFING…
catmman on June 9, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Mexico – give it to Spain.
Lets give Obama back to Kenya.
lonestar1 on June 9, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Siding with Palestine over Israel.
Siding with Argentina over Great Britain.
Good thing Obama wasn’t president in 1939!
MaiDee on June 9, 2011 at 6:38 PM
That ought to teach the Brit’s that they should have invited The One to the royal wedding.
rjoco1 on June 9, 2011 at 6:38 PM
If there’s trouble in the Falklands, does little Bammie realize that British forces will leave Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lybia in a heartbeat and dump the result on his lap? Does the jackass think that far ahead?
slickwillie2001 on June 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM
That’s easy for Obama, who would leave as well to show solidarity with our good friends.
/s/
GaltBlvnAtty on June 9, 2011 at 6:39 PM
A very sad way to treat a good friend. Where the heck are we going with this?
whbates on June 9, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Thread WINNER!!!!!!!!!!
karenhasfreedom on June 9, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Actually that should be -China back to Taiwan.
slickwillie2001 on June 9, 2011 at 6:43 PM
As a native Argentinean I can say this: the people in Argentina don’t care about the Flaklands. It is the populist rallying cry of a president and a government that has destroyed the country’s economy and currently just look for ways to distract the people with other “shows”.
For years Argentineans were protesting wanting to have access to the islands since you couldn’t travel to them. In the late 90′s a deal was reached and England allowed flights from Argentina to land there and Argentineans to travel freely. After the initial “show and tears” of people stepping on the islands…. nobody else has gone. The Argetinean airline flying there stopped flights altogether years ago. People from the Falklands don’t want to step in continental Argetina and Argentineans just don’t care about the islands.
This is nothing more than a show: dictator Chavez rallies his supporters by claiming nationalism and independence of Latin America from the “evil” northen countries, while Kichtner (a former domestic terrorist in the past) is no friend of free speech or capitalism handing out subsidies to everything that moves while blaming everything on the US.
Obama and co. are in this obsessive path that they need to be involved everywhere in the world and in everything. That’s the arrogance of a man who can do no wrong while the country gets worse and worse.
ptcamn on June 9, 2011 at 6:43 PM
Another success for Obama. He promised to fundamentally change America and he is doing exactly that!
1) 9.1% unemployment for the foreseeable future.
2) A possible permanent unemployed class on the government dole.
3) $4 per gallon gas and rising.
4) Government takeover of green technology.
5) Government takeover of private companies.
6) Government takeover of healthcare.
7) Shedding allies and becoming increasingly dependent on a global consensus for action.
8) Involving us in a war to support radical Muslim ideology.
9) Depressing economic recovery to increase the likelihood of violent civil unrest.
etc, etc, etc……
He, Michelle, and their progressive pals must be giddy with orgasmic euphoria.
Me, I want to get to the 2012 election as soon as possible and dispose of this Marxist traitor.
csdeven on June 9, 2011 at 6:45 PM
Can we return and get a refund on the Louisiana purchase?
Kini on June 9, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Too bad for the British if they don’t like it. The British public fell head over heels in love with Obama, loved his apology tour, and hated everything they could think of about dirty old conservatives in America. They can kiss Obama’s you-know-what as far as I’m concerned.
BillCarson on June 9, 2011 at 6:49 PM
Sell Alaska back to Russia
faraway on June 9, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Get the intent of the post, buuuuutttt Texas beat the he1l out of Mexico in 1836, was a Republic for 10 years and could certainly do so again.
txmomof6 on June 9, 2011 at 6:51 PM
“Fundamental transformation”.
You thought he was kidding, eh?
Limey putzes.
Bruno Strozek on June 9, 2011 at 6:52 PM
It not really about them is it? Isn’t it about us and how we treat a friend.
whbates on June 9, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Thank you for your insight.
I’d have thought that Argentinians would remember the excesses of the Galtieri regime and the Desaparecidos, and the deaths of so many poorly trained and poorly led conscripts who were hustled off the streets of Buenos Aires to end up in the mud outside Port Stanley as fodder for Galtieri’s dream of a greater Bolivarist Latin America.
coldwarrior on June 9, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Well Brits? “Hows that Hopey Changey stuff work’n out for ya?
try again later on June 9, 2011 at 6:54 PM
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