The ruling follows a 2009 report by Argentina that fixed its territory 200 to 350 miles from its coast, surrounding the archipelago it calls the Malvinas.
The decision by UN bosses could have significant consequences for Buenos Aires’ claim to natural resources in the sea around the disputed island chain.
Tag Archives: British Overseas Territory
Falklands feud: Argentina welcomes Russian ships named after ‘Malvinas Islands’ in UK jibe
RUSSIA risks stoking tensions between Britain and Argentina after it sent four ships to the South Atlantic emblazoned with provocative names referring to the disputed Falkland Islands.
Argentina will use the Russian-made boats – which are all named after key strategic locations on the British territory – to patrol in waters surrounding the islands in an effort to defend its maritime borders.
The vessels include ARA ‘Islas Malvinas’ – the name Argentines use to refer to the archipelago – and ARA ‘Puerto Argentino’ – the Spanish name for the Falkland’s capital Port Stanley.
Falkland Islanders vote on staying British today
In a move instigated by residents themselves, 1,672 eligible voters are being asked whether they want the Falklands to remain an internally self-governing British overseas territory.
The result, due overnight on Monday, is not in doubt – but the scale of the “yes” vote will be closely watched as a sign of the Falklanders’ strength of feeling.
However predictable the result, the “yes” campaign has been carried out with enthusiasm.
Homes and shops are festooned with posters and flags, both the British Union Jack and the deep blue Falklands standard which includes the Union Jack and a crest with a sheep in the middle. Continue reading
Germany: “Islamists Want to Bring Jihad to Europe”
As a lot of other countries in Europe, Germany is beginning to take a turn further to the right on the political spectrum. Cultures are colliding and one is resisting losing its identity.
The report also states that over 100,000 native Germans have converted to Islam in recent years.
German Intelligence Chief Gerhard Schindler has issued a warning saying that Europe is at great risk of terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists.
In a wide-ranging interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, Schindler said the German foreign intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), is particularly concerned about the threat posed by homegrown terrorists, individuals who are either born or raised in Europe and who travel to war zones like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia or Yemen to obtain training in terrorist methods.
Schindler said: “A particular threat stems from Al Qaeda structures in Yemen. They want to bring Jihad to Europe. Among other tactics, this involves the ‘lone wolf’ model, which involves individuals who are citizens of the targeted country and who go abroad for training. We know that this is strategy is currently high on Al Qaeda’s agenda, and we are accordingly attentive.”
Schindler’s comments came just days after Spanish authorities arrested three suspected al Qaeda terrorists who were allegedly plotting an airborne attack on a shopping mall near Gibraltar, the British overseas territory on the southernmost tip of Spain.
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The 54-page document, “Radicalization Processes in the Context of Islamic Extremism and Terrorism,” which provides countless details about the Islamist scene in Germany, paints a worrisome picture of the threat of radical Islam there.
According to the report, German security agencies estimate that approximately 1,140 individuals living in Germany pose a high risk of becoming Islamic terrorists. The document also states that up to 100,000 native Germans have converted to Islam in recent years, and that “intelligence analysis has found that converts are especially susceptible to radicalization…Security officials believe that converts comprise between five to ten percent of the Salafists.”
Full article: Germany: “Islamists Want to Bring Jihad to Europe” (Gatestone Institute)
Falkland Islanders have the right to choose their future
While we in the Islands have grown well accustomed to political rhetoric from Buenos Aires over the years, these latest moves have seen everyday life made that bit harder, with the selection of food on the shelves changing, and becoming more expensive, as we have had to find new suppliers for everyday goods. But, we Falkland Islanders are resourceful people and will not be defeated by political and economic bullying. We remain resolute in our desire to maintain neighbourly relations with all our South American neighbours, including Argentina, for mutual benefit. During the 1990s, significant progress had been made in our relationship with Argentina; agreements had been reached on conservation of fish stocks and on oil exploration but Argentina unilaterally withdrew from these, something we deeply regret.
With the eyes of the world on the South Atlantic in recent weeks, one unified message continues to come from those that live in the Islands; that is our right to self-determination. The people of the Falkland Islands remain a British Overseas Territory by choice. It is our constitutional right and a fundamental freedom enshrined in the UN Charter. This right to self-determination is a value that is protected and promoted by democratic powers the world over; the Falkland Islands are no different. We are happy to talk, but our sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
Full article: Falkland Islanders have the right to choose their future (MercoPress)
Global Geopolitics 