Since Britain last emerged triumphant from it’s conquest with Argentina over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, with a war that began in 1982 and lasted for 74 days until Argentine surrender, tensions have heightened once again. Noticeably, relations with the Argentinian Government began to escalate when the decision to deploy Prince William to the region was announced in late 2011. Since then, the Argentinian President, Cristina Elisabet Fernández de Kirchner, has taken every opportunity to develop escalations over the matter, a sure sign of provocation itself.
With the United Kingdom possibly on the brink of renewed warfare, diplomatic preparations have evidently begun. In particular, Britain’s eye has turned to the United States for their military and diplomatic support in the eventuality of conflict. However, despite Britain being the first destination of choice on his eleven day tour of Europe and the Middle East, John Kerry’s first trip abroad in his capacity as US Secretary of State set off on a bad foot yesterday when he announced his refusal to support the United Kingdom in a second wave of self-defence in retaliation to possible Argentinian military confrontation.
Although Kerry made an attempt to renew the vows of the ‘special relationship’ between both nations yesterday afternoon when he met with Foreign Secretary, William Hague, his statement regarding the American position on the Falkland Islands has undoubtedly cast a shadow.
Photo: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Statisfied 