The Falkland Islands

It seems Argentina seems to have got the backing of such wholly respected politicians and statesmen such as Mr Chavez.

Due to a British company now drilling for oil in what some people would claim is within British territorial water, Argentina are looking to the UN to approve their claim that the continental shelf geography allows them to claim territorial claim over the drilling area.

The thing is, I'm still not sure how Argentina can claim sole ownership of the islands and surrounding waters. It was once occupied by Argentinians during the early 1800's but prior to that, it has been variously explored, mapped and claimed by French, Spanish, Patagonians, Portuguese and British seaman.

Simple argument; as it is closer to Argentina, they can have it. If we are going by the continental shelf ruling then Australia now own Papua and Papua New Guinea, while Malaysia now owns Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.

While we are at it, lets hand the Canary Islands (Spanish) and Madiera (Portuguese) to Morroco, Gibralter (British) to the Spanish, Cyprus(erm) to Turkey, Jersey (British) to France, Bermuda (British) to USA, Clipperton Island (French) to Mexico, Hawaii (USA) to Kiribati, American Samoa (er USA obviously) to Samoa, Christmas Island (Aus) to Indonesia.

If we are going to do this seriously, then lets hand over Japan to the Chinese, Ireland to UK, UK to France, Indonesia to Australia or visa versa, Sri Lanka to India, Seychelles to Madagascar, and Taiwan to the Philippines.

3000 British people call the Falkland Islands home. /discussion.