Our Allies across the ‘pond’ have, somewhat predictably, again turned up trumps. The new American Secretary of State; John Kerry arrived on our shores and declared that on the subject of the Falklands, America would find a most comfortable perch on the fence. Whether it be Argentina or Britain, America would not take sides.
Pity we didn’t take the same attitude on Iraq and Afghanistan. Think of the blood and treasure we’d have saved.
America’s attitude is less than commendable. It makes the likelihood of Argentinian armed aggression in the Falklands slightly more likely than not. It also begs the question: Is Argentina that important to the American Govt. and British public opinion that unimportant?
Hark ! Is that the sound of Mr. Obama shooting himself in the foot – again.
By: John Green - 28th February 2013 at 18:15
Re 28
Snafu352
Hallelujah ! Something upon which we both agree. An over hyped and unrealistic title beloved of copy writers everywhere. Meaningless !
By: charliehunt - 28th February 2013 at 14:34
move onto new pastures which may well provide a better future for Britain. (Including a degree of previous power, influence and glory!)
(In my opinion of course ;))
And mine!!;)
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th February 2013 at 14:24
Special Relationship?!
Excuse me whilst i compose myself having almost died laughing.
What poor deluded people really, truly believe there is any sort of “special relationship” cultivated from the US towards the UK today?
In truth there never really has been a “special relationship.”
The term “Special relationship” was a term dreamt up by that masterful orator Churchill to convince the Brits that the US had Britains interest as heart as well as it’s own in the dark days of World War II.
The US always has only it’s own interest in focus and that at times is a very narrow one.
These islands off the coast of Europe whose glory days of power and influence are rapidly fading are merely a pawn for the US to manipulate as it sees fit to achieve the aims of the US.
This is sadly facilitated by those deluded folk desperately trying to hang onto those past glories rather than move onto new pastures which may well provide a better future for Britain. (Including a degree of previous power, influence and glory!)
(In my opinion of course ;))
By: Derekf - 28th February 2013 at 14:12
Another back-pedal. Now we’re getting somewhere.
By: John Green - 28th February 2013 at 13:46
Just a Press report. Don’t get too exercised.
By: Derekf - 28th February 2013 at 13:23
Does accusing people of whom you know very little of stupidity make you feel better somehow?
Anyway, you couldn’t be more wrong – but keep trying. You’ll get there in the end. Maybe 😀
Maybe you could explain to us why you decided to post the item about John Kerry’s visit.
Was it to inform the forum in general?
Was to show that the current US administration in a good light?
Or was it to show the American administration in a bad light?
It would have been a useful post if it signalled a change in US foreign policy but it didn’t – their view has been consistently neutral for many years; something that everyone seems incredibly loathed to admit. I wonder why?
By: John Green - 28th February 2013 at 13:06
That doesn’t surprise me. Your comments reveal that most things are beyond you.
By: Derekf - 28th February 2013 at 12:51
Look to me like you provide all the animosity and ill-feeling this forum could ever need.
Your original post and the link therein sought to demonstrate something which is, at best, a distortion of the truth.
The happy-clappers then join in telling us that Americans must therefore be stupid, although how you make that leap is beyond me. :confused:
By: John Green - 28th February 2013 at 12:42
Animosity? We don’t need to. We can rely upon you for that.
By: Derekf - 28th February 2013 at 08:02
The point is that the US position on the Falklands hasn’t changed. When Reagan was president it was exactly the same, even down to passing information to Argentina to maintain neutrality.
As far as Kerry is concerned, I thought he was a war hero? Awarded the Silver Star. I suspect opposition to him is rather more to do with the fact that he is a Democrat and works for Obama rather than any logical opposition.
Anyway, such is the regard for the UK within US diplomatic circles, it is the first country John Kerry visits as Sectretary of State. I don’t think that sounds like a snub to me.
It looks like the usual suspects are trying to stir up animosity and ill-feeling where there is none.
By: John Green - 27th February 2013 at 21:01
Charlie,
Call me an old fashioned idealist but, some things are non negotiable and loyalty is one of them. Kerry’s statement might have implications far beyond its face value.
By: paul178 - 27th February 2013 at 19:10
As the old saying goes
A friend in need………..
Is a bloody nuisance!
and Diego Garcia return it to its rightful occupants.
By: charliehunt - 27th February 2013 at 19:03
Re 12 & 13
Charlie and Grey Area
I know you’re both correct in your summary but, from Britain’s point of view, that doesn’t make it right. See No.7.
This country has an importance for America that far outweighs that of Argentina. Kerry’s attitude should have been:
“If I can’t come down on the side of the British, then I’d best keep my mouth shut”.Realpolitik is as much about saying nothing and creating doubt as it is about saying something and creating certainty.
I don’t see it as right or wrong, John. And I really don’t think remarks like this in this context matter a damn. I am sure they don’t to HMG, as I said before.
By: j_jza80 - 27th February 2013 at 18:30
Perhaps we should return the favour, and boot the US out of Diego Garcia and return it to its rightful occupants.
By: John Green - 27th February 2013 at 17:55
Re 12 & 13
Charlie and Grey Area
I know you’re both correct in your summary but, from Britain’s point of view, that doesn’t make it right. See No.7.
This country has an importance for America that far outweighs that of Argentina. Kerry’s attitude should have been:
“If I can’t come down on the side of the British, then I’d best keep my mouth shut”.
Realpolitik is as much about saying nothing and creating doubt as it is about saying something and creating certainty.
By: ZRX61 - 27th February 2013 at 17:42
Hardly the job for a self-confessed war criminal…
By: Grey Area - 27th February 2013 at 15:54
Charliehunt has hit the nail squarely on the head.
Like it or not, the USA has important political, diplomatic and economic interests in Latin America and no US Secretary of State will do or say anything to jeopardise or diminish them if they can avoid it.
At the same time, the UK is an important military and political US ally and no US Secretary of State will willingly do or say anything that might harm that relationship.
Hence the splinters up the bum.
Remember: we’re all Bloody Foreigners from the perspective of the USA.
By: charliehunt - 27th February 2013 at 12:47
John
In the world of real politik you play your allies off against each other. The US has strong interests in South America, which it won’t prejudice whilst the exchanges remain at diplomatic level. I am quite sure his utterances have not bothered HMG one iota.
By: TonyT - 27th February 2013 at 12:43
It’s not for nothing that when you hum the American National Anthem you use the word dumb all the way through it and was obviously written for such as Kerry.
Unfortunately it’s an American thing, see they are now going after BP for personal damages over the oil spill on a rig they didn’t own or operate, simply leased from another company….. Oil spill in the Gulf.. shock, Horror, American jobs at risk……
Bopal anyone?
8,000 dead within two weeks, another 8,000 dead since, 1/2 a million injured and still not cleaned up by The American Company that caused it…..
Ahh but it’s in India so it does not matter then… Grrrrrrrr
Shame BP didn’t start by saying we will honour our commitments if your companies do the same.
Same sort of thing, two faced.
By: John Green - 27th February 2013 at 12:37
This should not be a matter of evenhandedness. Any problem that could merit military intervention does not call for ambivalence. Is the term ‘special relationship’ the first line of a music hall joke ?
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February 27, 2013 at 10:56 am