Toward Resolution? The Falklands/Malvinas Dispute

To the British, they are the Falkland Islands; to the Argentines, the Malvinas. The dispute between the two countries over these remote islands has smoldered since 1833, when the British expelled the few Argentine settlers and established their own colony. A century-and-a-half later, in April 1982, Argentina seized the islands by force and war ensued. By June, the islands were again under British control, but not until 1990 did Argentina and Britain formally declare an end to hostilities and resume full diplomatic and trade relations. And even now, the conflict remains unresolved and festering.

The authors of this book stress the need to end the dispute lest it again lead to armed hostilities. Two distinguished British authorities outline the bases of the British claims and also the practical political considerations behind London's position. Two equally distinguished Argentine authors provide the same elucidation of Buenos Aires's position. In the role of neutral observers, U.S. specialists suggest ways in which the two sides might begin to reduce the bitterness resulting from this issue and eventually work out a solution acceptable not only to London and Buenos Aires but to the islanders themselves. The underlying premise of the book is that such a solution would serve the interests of all parties, the islanders included.