The dispute over the South Atlantic islands has taken a Hollywood twist as Sean Penn last night expressed his support for Argentina’s cause.
The actor from the United States is in Argentina in his role as ambassador at large for Haiti and met with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner at the Casa Rosada yesterday. He urged Argentina and the United Kingdom to engage in discussions.
“It’s necessary that these diplomatic talks happen between the United Kingdom and Argentina,” he said. “I think that the world today is not going to tolerate any kind of ludicrous and archaic commitment to colonialist ideology.”
In a strong sign of support for his host nation, he also used the Argentine name for the islands.
“I understand that it’s a very sensitive moment [in terms] of diplomacy related to the Malvinas for Argentina and the United Kingdom,” he said.
Both Penn and Fernández de Kirchner reiterated that the purpose of the visit was to discuss Argentina’s aid for Haiti, but his comments about the Falklands have unfortunately grabbed the headlines.
This is just the latest in a long line of news stories related to the islands in the run up to the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war.
Argentina has voiced their disapproval over the apparent militarisation of the islands, while the UK is maintaining that no discussions need to take place as long as the residents of the Falklands want to remain British.
The diplomatic row has escalated to such a level that it has caused UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon to express “concern about the increasingly strong exchanges.”
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is a Spaniard.
Sean Penn is of Russian, Italian and Irish parentage.
If they want to put an end to colonialism, they could start by relocating to Europe.
Sean Penn should try educating himself on the subject rather than relying on others to brainwash him on it.
The Argentines have no right to claim the Falkland Islands. They are colonialists who conquered, subjugated and exterminated the native population under one flag or another. The same can’t be said of the Falkland Islanders.
Fortunately for the Falkland Islanders, and small countries such as Ireland, there is a little known law called the right to self-determination, which is a corner stone of both The United Nations and The International Court of Justice. These same illustrious bodies also support the argument that Falkland oil belongs to the Falkland Islanders just as Corrib gas belongs to the Irish.
This protects small nations and peoples from aggressive and murderous bullies such as Argentina. I’m sure many Falklanders would not like to find themselves and their families thrown from a helicopter into the Atlantic Ocean, a common practice in Argentina in recent history.
Mr. Penn should avoid discussing subjects on which he is ignorant or inadequate, such as international politics and acting.