America’s Special Relationship With The British Is In Danger

British flag of the Falkland Islands

British flag of the Falkland Islands (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ed Morrissey posted an article at Hot Air today about the recent vote by the residents of the Falkland Islands to make a statement as to what country they belonged to–Britain or Argentina. When asked if they wanted to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, 1,511 residents voted “yes.” Three voted “no.”

The article at Hot Air points out:

That result sends a strong message to the UN and other nations attempting to force the UK into bilateral negotiations with Argentina over the fate of the islands, which are almost 300 miles from Argentina’s coast — but which sit near potentially significant oil and gas fields.

Today’s U. K. Telegraph posted the Obama Administration’s reaction to the vote:

“The residents have clearly expressed their preference for a continued relationship with the United Kingdom.”

“That said, we obviously recognize that there are competing claims. Our formal position has not changed. We recognize the de facto UK administration of the islands, but we take no position on sovereignty claims.”

 Needless to say, the British are not too thrilled with this statement.

The article in the U. K. Telegraph concludes:

Today’s statement, made on behalf of Secretary of State John Kerry, is an insult to Great Britain and the brave inhabitants of the Falkland Islands. It is also remarkably petty and mean-spirited. It is a sad day indeed when the only superpower, the leader of the free world, cannot bring itself to back the basic right of self-determination for a peaceful group of Islanders in the South Atlantic for fear of offending a sinking Latin American regime that doesn’t even like America. Officials in the State Department should hold their heads in shame as they promote a policy that is causing a great deal of offence across the Atlantic, and which is a betrayal of the Special Relationship. Mr. Kerry and his team should remember that more than 250 British servicemen gave their lives for the freedom of the Falkland Islanders in 1982, a sacrifice which the United States, of all nations in the world, should be honouring today.

The Obama Administration is more interested in being friends with the enemies of America than with our friends.

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