Cameron’s new Falklands war?

For the British Conservative government, it seems that war in Afghanistan, war in Libya, war against peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators in Bahrain with British weapons, and maybe soon war against Iran are not bloodshed enough.

This music video from Britain, about Thatcher’s Falklands war, is Robert Wyatt’s song Shipbuilding.

The Falklands War inspired a wealth of protest songs: here.

By Paddy McGuffin in England:

PM beats the war drum on Falklands

Monday 02 April 2012

David Cameron was accused of spewing the same old colonialist rhetoric over his comments on the 30th anniversary of the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands today.

The Prime Minister marked the anniversary by reaffirming Britain’s determination to uphold the islanders’ right to determine their own future and paying tribute to the task force sent by then prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

The conflict cost the lives of 649 Argentinian and 255 British troops.

There has been marked by an escalation in tensions between Britain and Argentina in the run-up to the anniversary. The recent discovery of oil in the region has further exacerbated the situation.

Earlier this year Britain sent destroyer HMS Dauntless to the region in what was seen as a clear act of provocation by Argentina.

A number of Latin American countries have refused Britain access to their ports in solidarity with Argentina.

In a statement to mark today’s anniversary, Mr Cameron was adamant that Britain would not compromise on the issue of self-determination.

…

But Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German said: “This is another example of the British government’s continued commitment to colonialist politics. The truth is the Malvinas should be, as most people in Argentina and Latin America believe, Argentinian.

“They have already taken us to one war which killed hundreds of people. Thatcher fought that war to boost her popularity. This country is already embroiled in Afghanistan, has failed in Iraq, Libya is obviously a disaster and now they are talking about Syria and Iran.”

Argentina Insists, UK Resists Talks on Malvinas/Falklands: here.

BUENOS AIRES, Apr 5, 2012 (IPS) – Former combatants in Argentina who took part in the 1982 Malvinas/Falkland Islands war are waging their final battle: they are trying to get the Supreme Court to classify the brutal mistreatment to which they were subjected by their officers as crimes against humanity: here.

Turkey readies Syrian buffer zone plan: here.

Turkey is leading calls for a military attack on Syria on behalf of the United States: here.

Israel repeats military threat against Iran: here.

Recent studies link conservatism to low intelligence and “low-effort thinking”: here.

Related articles

• Mail columnist attacks “bilious hatred and lack of respect for the dead” (newstatesman.com)
• Falklands tax dispute clouding oil dream for investors (denverpost.com)
• Cameron a fool over Falklands, says Argentina’s ambassador (standard.co.uk)