BAS merger plan triggers debate; fears of ‘diminished’ British presence in Southern Ocean
UK government plans to merge the British Antarctic Survey with the National Oceanography Centre have triggered global debate among scientists and politicians with former US Vice-president Al Gore wading into the discussion and fears in the Falkland Islands of a diminished “British presence” in the region.
“Any moves that could weaken the globally significant British Antarctic Survey would be a mistake; in my view retaining the core elements of BAS, integrated into a single unit with strong leadership, is of supreme importance, both as a UK national and international asset” said Al Gore who also won the Nobel Prize for environmental campaigning.
Under the proposals the BAS would merge with the National Oceanographic Centre (NOC) by 2020 to create a single body responsible for marine and polar science. It is expected that if the two combine, the new centre would be based in Southampton.
The NOC – which employs around 5.000 people through its centres in Southampton and Liverpool – currently has its main base at Dock Gate 4.
Fears have also been raised that reducing the British presence in the Southern Ocean could also encourage sovereignty claims over the Falklands and other Islands.
The polar research unit has been the UK operation in Antarctica since 1962 and among other milestones BAS scientists were first to discover the ozone layer hole in the 1980s.
The Falkland Islands Government has been asked for his views on the proposal.
There have been concerns that a new organisation might see the dropping of the British part of the British Antarctic Survey’s name.
“It is important symbolically that the British part of the name is retained”, pointed out Falklands’ lawmaker MLA Mike Summers.
The issue will be decided by the Government-funded Natural environment Research Council which welcomed the former vice-president’s input
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19 comments Feed
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1, is , are we looking for a forward ? responce from argentina,
or,
2, is camaron sniffing more than he is letting on.
my view,
never trust politicians.
1 Idlehands (#) Explain Yourself.
If you want a war, then I suggest you lead the charge.
3 Conqueror (#) Explain yourself.
Dear Mike, put the old name in a picture frame and take back to Britain with you. You live in Argentina, South America not in Britain, Europe.
#7 If Argentian was as half as great as argentinans belive you wouldnt worry about the falklanders wanting to be argentina you,d be fighting off most of rhe planet who'd want to be ruled by the poltical genius of argentina.
As is its a corrupt bankrupt nation that flagship has been seized in another nations port. If argentina functioned you'd have better ties with the islands.
As it doesnt you have no hope
“You live in Argentina”
I see. So if the Falkland Islands are in Argentina, why are they not bankrupt, their people on strike, with rusting military equipment (apart from the 82 scrap) ?
And why isn't that blue and white dishcloth flying there then?
Why is the Government called the Falkland Islands Government?
You really need to bone up on your geography che.
Excellent response. They can not be British in Argentine territory.
Face1354@hotmail.com
Thats why they are BRITISH in BRITISH teritory.
and argentinian are in other people land that they stole.
so give it back..
I have to love inane and idiotic statements like yours. The Falkland Islands are the Falkland Islands. Settled, populated, administered and governed by the people who have lived in the islands for 180 years. This is our home and we have built its economy and culture. We are not part of Argentina, if that was the case, we would be taking orders from that tacky pink house in BA. But instead we take orders from those who have been elected by the people. A far better situation than being governed by a corrupt and incompetent country like Argentina.
Good day to you sir.
Because it doers not exist .lol.
.
“They can not be British in Argentine territory”
Well they are not in Argentine territory, so that one is solved isn't it?
Dear GALlamosa:
Do not take this the wrong way. Unfortunately you their understanding of citizenship is very poor. You know very well what I mean. I'm talking about sovereignty usurped in 1833. Of colonialism and imperialism in the 21st century. Make an effort to contextualize the answers and understand. It requires a lot of intelligence and effort.
Thank you very much.
16 Pete Bog
Well, not in Argentine territory, so that one is solved right?
Do not take this the wrong way. Do not be childish. Do not insult your intelligence. You know it is not resolved. I will refresh your memory. Did you report rather than a usurpation some English in 1833 and a war in 1982.? Get informed about and understand.
Thank you.
“usurpation some English in 1833 ”
I'll make this easy for you, boy.
At MOST there was only ONE member of Vernet's settlement allowed to stay on in January 1833 who was English (I will investigate this as he may have been Scottish or Welsh), as of the ONLY TWO British people that stayed on in 1833, one was Irish. He was British then but would now be classed as Irish now (ie fron Dublin).
As no English people disembarked from HMS Clio in 1833, I can't understand why you mention'English'??????
You seem to confuse England with Great Britain (not the same entities), and The Government of Buenos Aires with Argentina(formed in 1856), not the same entities, otherwise they would possess the same name. Until you get your terminology and history correct it is difficult to take your arguments seriously.
It is you who need to get informed.
The Falkland Islanders , other than those who have moved to Argentina, live in the Falkland Islands, which was claimed by Great Britain in 1690 by landing and 1765 by settlement.
As Argentina was not formed until 1856, it cannot have a proir claim to the Falklnd Islands before 1690 or before.1765.
Therefore unless you can prove that Dr Who and his Tardis moved the Argentine Republic from 1856 to pre-1690 or per-1765, the Argentines cannot have a prior claim to the Falkland Islands
Salute
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