Falklands have become a nation that “shares with Uruguay common memories and times to come”
By Dr. Jorge Stanham, MBE - The British Hospital in Montevideo has a long established relation with the Falkland Islands going back over a century.
Director Dr Jorge Stanham, MBE, recently back from a trip to the Falklands after almost eleven years, said he was impressed by what he saw but above all by the assertiveness of the Islanders and the feeling that they have become a nation, owners of their future: “They owned their future. They were a nation. A nation that not only shares the same continent as Uruguay, but common memories and times to come”.
The complete column published in the The British Society, Uruguay, “Back to the Falkland Islands” follows:
After nearly 11 years, I was invited to the Falklands for a second visit. This time, the week I would spend there had more to do with medical matters than tourism. I was to work with the local healthcare authorities on Uruguay’s and especially the British Hospital’s capacity to ably respond to the urgent and immediate needs of critical patients, as we have done in the past. The changes that have happened in the past decade in the South Atlantic also required that we jointly update our medical relationship with the islands, which has existed for the greater part of the last hundred years.
This time I would travel in November, as opposed to my first visit, which took place in February. I expected the weather to be cooler this time and I searched www.AccuWeather.com for the information. It took me longer than expected to find the Falkland Islands in the website, but eventually discovered them under ‘South America’. Even with the long detour flight via Santiago and Punta Arenas and then to Mount Pleasant airfield, I was to remain within the South American region during all of my trip.
It takes virtually 24 hours from home in Montevideo to Stanley. Mount Pleasant airfield is about 60 km west of the islands’ capital, a van trip of about one hour, to be added to the duration of the flight times, not counting an overnight stay in Santiago. The flight climaxes on its last short 1:15 hour leg, from Punta Arenas to the Falklands, when the westernmost reaches of West Falkland appear on the window: barren, with very few roads and a house or settlement every now and then.
Once on the ground, I took the van ride to Stanley, enjoying the rolling hills, the inlets, the ‘stone runs’, the distant view of settlements and signs of scattered human activity, on a virtually treeless landscape. I got off the van and into the hotel, appropriately named the Waterfront, on Ross Road, close to the landing wharf, overlooking Stanley harbour. Once in my room, I was initially distressed to find that neither my cellphone was detecting any station in roaming mode nor was my iPad finding any wi-fi signal. Although I did solve it by inserting a local Cable & Wireless SIM card and using prepaid cards, the connection was reliable mainly for local calls and brief e-mail exchanges. The feeling of a relative unconnected ness contributed enormously to the enjoyment of my stay: this was to be a very special trip.
Fortunately, I had visited the camp in both East and West Falkland during my previous trip. This time I saw again the penguin colonies at Volunteer Point with Patrick Watts and one afternoon I biked myself 10 km and back to Gipsy Cove - under wind and hail. With a significant part of time spent in meetings, lunches, suppers and receptions, I stayed mostly in Stanley, walking along the streets and taking many pictures of the houses. But what I most enjoyed was meeting with people, both young and old, listening to firsthand experiences of living in this incredible place in the South Atlantic.
Many of the older people had been in Uruguay, as they had travelled to Montevideo on the ‘Darwin’. Some of them had received treatment in the British Hospital and shared their memories of their stay there and expressed admiration and thankfulness for those who had cared for them: Dr Rafael García- Capurro, Dr José Russi (senior) and Dr Jorge Stanham (my father). I also met patients and parents of patients who had been evacuated by air for critical care at the British Hospital and had been under my direct care or supervision. Some had been high school students at the British Schools and have continued to travel to Montevideo to meet old friends, to tour the city and the
resorts... plus enjoying a good asado. In shops, the supermarket and pubs, I met people who greeted me as ‘the visiting doctor from Uruguay’ and expressed their appreciation for my presence there. I was made aware by these stories how much Uruguay means to the Falklanders and what we have and continue to share as communities. Beyond the medical link that was the reason for my visit, the Falklands and Uruguay have other links that are open to nurture: culture, sport, education, travel and our common sheep-rearing technology. Someday, a direct air-link will bring us as close as less than a three-hour flight.
What surprised me most during this visit was evident before a few hours had passed since my arrival. Something had changed. Something was different. It wasn’t the same feeling I had when I had been there more than a decade ago. It wasn’t the landscape; it wasn’t the constructions: it was the people. They were less defensive and fearful. They were happier. They were more assertive. They owned their future. They were a nation. A nation that not only shares the same continent as Uruguay, but common memories and times to come.
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So Argentina has done more to engender a sense of nationhood on the islands more than anyone else.
The funny this is, considering her age and experience, Cristina probably actually recognises this too and is powerless to reverse it.
We hope that!
If only well informed people manage to spread the voice of the islanders in Uruguay I am positively sure more uruguayans will support the Falklands.
Until now, the truth about Falklands remains not well known for many people in Uruguay (Chile, etc). Islanders must make sure that their opinions, desires, and version of the history become heard in south american countries.
Time and History is on your side.
@9 If anybody has even the flimsyest claim to the Falklands as succesors to the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate it is Uruguay. In the unlikely event of Falklanders electing to become part of a continental nation and considering the large numbers of Chileans resident on the islands it doesnt take much to guess what the choice would be
You can't reclaim something that has never been yours. You can only try to steal it.
Last time you did that your country and your military were humiliated on the international stage, and because of Argentina's war like behaviour nearly 1,000 people lost their lives.
ALL of that is a DIRECT consequence of ARGENTINA'S actions. EVERY single one of those deaths are the RESPONSIBILITY of the Argentine government.
But then again, the Argentine government REFUSES to accept responsibility for ANY of its actions.
So what does that tell us about Argentina? It tell us that you are an arrogant narcassitic country who don't give a DAMN about anyone but yourselves.
Uruguay is wise not to trust Argentina. All Argentina has ever done is try to bully your neighbours into doing what you want. But Argentina is now a toothless tiger. No money, no military, no stable society.
Face it, Argentina is fast going down the toilet, and it will be years (if ever) that you recover.
In the meantime your neighbours in Chile and Uruguay are building close ties of trust and friendship with the Falkland Islands community. They can see good business opportunities when they come along.
Your Argentine fantasy of a United South America will never happen while Argentina exists.
Wonder how many more of them hold that opinion?
I also wonder? what would be the future for some of their neighbours, if in the very unlikely circumstances, they ever got their hands on the islands.
Would their territorial demands/ambitions stop there, I wonder?
¡Saludos!
In the event of an attack on Chile, Argentina is fully aware of thier strategy in that event. The Chileans acknowlege that thier long frontier with Argentina is indefensible at every point. In the event of an armed incursion it would not just be a frontier incident but total war with Argentine cities being bombed. As far as I know Chile has never lost a war. Has Argentina ever won one (apart from thier campaign against the defenceless indigenous population of Patagonia)?
Dr Stanhams article in the British Society Newsletter reflects the view of most educated Uruguayans. All the posts on these threads from ROU (Guzz excepted) broadly share those views. So Conks, away we ye back across the sheugh. Theres a wee bit o bother in Belfast the now which ye may be able to contribute too. Reminder: Dont forget to take your Lambeg drum and your Orange sash with you
Err, no.....don't tell me what I think. You have no idea. South America is full of South Americans of European origins.
Anyway, lots of Falkland Islanders have South American or St Helenian origins. Some of us have no family links to the UK at all.
It is good that you explain that share the same continent as Uruguay, because this forum is tired of repeating the ridiculousness that is nothing at all America, they even say is a “detachment” of Africa.
But a “nation”?!. An illegal Cologne, baby.
A nation, they are not a nation. Good try Doc.
Sorry RG, you are NOT American. Please change your name to what you really are - “ProAmerican_RG”
Ahhhhhh…...... Young Dr. Jorge Stanham….. (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) since 2012)…..
Dr. Jorge Stanham senior…. (Commander & Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) & (OBE) since long ago) must be quite proud of junior….
What was the motto for the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire?
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… yesssss..........…..:
”FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE”
Chuckle chuckle©
The translator of shit, silly pirate!
colony
a very informative post Think, but really even for you what is the relevance ?
Will be “BY THE EMPIRE AND LATER: GOD”
Even the little queen “represents” God on earth to the English, at least the Anglicans.
At (32) a British Turnip asks me.......... :
What's the relevance of a Youngish Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE); son of a slightly older Commander & Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) & (OBE) defending the British Empire.....................................
Anybody out there, able to help me answering that difficult question....?
You're spot on. I think there is no doubt we can laugh about ourselves now and I think that is the sign of a mature nation. Australia is a prime example of a mature, deservedly self-assured nation. Why, even New Zealanders laugh at jokes mocking them!
We Kelpers, if anything, have embraced some of our nicknames these days. “Benny” is a good example. 20, maybe even 15 years ago calling the wrong person a Benny was likely to cause a serious problem, maybe even coming to blows. These days we laugh at it and use it ourselves. A few months ago a few of the deadbeats on here got onto the word and thought they'd unleash it on us like the H bomb. I think they were a bit disappointed when they got very little reaction other than a debate about the word's origin which they were quite wrong about.
@21 Not “european” surely. British. And therefore much better.
@22 Not allowed.
@25 Tried putting that in Google. No responses!
@27 “A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, or history” And therefore the Falkands are a nation. Unlike argieland. A territory of genocidal mongrels.
@30 And what's argieland's proud motto? “FURTUM QUOD LIES”?
@31 De mierda llegaste y para mierda te volverá.
@33 Watch the skies. Soon you will see the works of God. A pillar of fire!
@34 Always “happy” to help a poor and uneducated South American peon. It has nothing to do with YOU. On a number of fronts. Being a peasant, you couldn't understand “tradition”. For the same reason, “significance” would be beyond you. And, finally, “relevance”. “”Something (A) is relevant to a task (T) if it increases the likelihood of accomplishing the goal (G), which is implied by T.” (Hjørland & Sejer Christensen,2002). All you need to do is to translate that into a classical truth-functional logic. Go for it!
@36 Doesn't it rather depend on who uses the nickname? Surely a “nickname” can be more easily accepted if used by a friend, ally or protector? Not so much if used by the local bully. Best response to the latter is, of course, to kick its balls off! Or stamp them into the ground. Again!
Nice to see you are bringing all your wit and intelligence to this forum.
32 agent999
I think that “Think” is taking a swipe at us British ( again ). If I had to guess, I would say that his last line says it
”FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE”
Given that God does not exsist and neither does the empire, could be something to do with handing out OBE and MBE's when a that time is long gone?
It is ( as ever ) VERY difficult to understand what point he is actually trying to make, as he doesn't write veryu good English and his train of thought tends to run over the nearest cliff.
Not sure what think is on about.
Dr. Stanham, sounds like an exceptional humanitarian and Britain has formally recognised him as such.
Interesting that this very British example, exhibiting what Britain feels are its best traits, enjoys living peacefully with his SA Uruguayan neighbours.
A good example of Brits integrated peacefully into a SA society.
Isn't Uruguay a friend, great supporter of Argieland, and member of MERCOSUR??
Sounds like childish jealousy on the part of Argentina and think.
Are you actually new on here or have you just changed your name? Whichever it is it sounds like you have a lot of penned up anger and bitterness. Try to remember to breathe from time to time. Come visit us some day, we're nice people.
Whoa -impressive, don't tease, just tell - unless of course to do so, would breach the disclosurs section of the Official Secrets Act - 1989 ; )
“LatAm as non-white and “good” while the white UK”
Err... Been to London recently?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20680565
You seem to be under the impression that I'm some kind of Vet Surgeon...
But I'm not, even if I luuuuuuv “All Creatures Great & Small”... ;-)
(44) Morse
Poster (37) Mr. Conqueror has served the Crown alright.....
As a Postman in the Royal Mail.....
He is a retired Postman now....
With back problems....
Judging by your onscreen name I guess in a short time you won't exist, and when you go you can take your narrow thinking with you.
@48
Conqueror appears to be something of a comedy institution on Mercopress - a bit like Comical Ali in the Gulf War. Nowadays most posters seem to let his comments roll over their heads, though if you think he's hard on the Argentines wait until you get him on the subject of the Scots.
the “shit” that brits, and americans for that matter, leave behind: money, opportunity, jobs, development
the “shit” that Argentina leaves behind: dilapidated infrastructure, poverty, and dead bodies from a failed war
Yes it is interesting how a national consciousness starts and develops. There are some on here that seem confused by the word 'nation'. Their infantile minds probably confuse it with nation-state.
Interestingly Australia developed a national consciousness while fighting for the Empire. We actually celebrate our greatest defeat. ANZAC Day, our most important national holiday, on April 25th remembers our defeat in 1915 whilst trying to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. 14% of Australia's war dead were here.
For a young country that only came into being 14 years earlier, this was a turning point. We didn't think of ourselves as Australians but as Britons. We had our own flag but fought under the Union Flag. We didn't even have our own distinct citizenship until 1949.
Somewhere in the 35 years after landing at Gallipoli we actually became Australians. We became a nation.
29 years after leading the Ottoman army against the Allies, Atatürk the father of modern Turkey gave a speech:
“Those heroes that shed their blood
And lost their lives.
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
Who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears,
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have
Become our sons as well.”
It is amazing how much the world once moved on in 29 years and how little it has in 30 years for others.
“Benny”. My Cornish ex used this for a woollen hat that we call a “beanie” here. Considering the Island's climate is this where it comes from?
Anyway after all that, you can see why I think it is Argentina that has done more than anyone to foster a sense of national identity for the Isanders.
Argentina still hasn't realised what they helped foster and keep bolstering almost daily.
The name Bennie comes from a character in a 1960's 1970's UK soap opera called Crossroads. The character wore s distinctive Beanie type wooly hat.
I'm sure the guys down there did not mean it has a derogatory name.
In the late 80's I was serving at a Nato Headquarters in the Netherlands. One day I was accopanying my German Colonel into the Bank located on camp. As we were entering an Australian officer was leaving, he was wearing the distinctive slouch hat turned up at one side. My Colonel asked me what was an English Officer doing wearing an American cowboy hat, I explained to him that he was an Australian and said, “For christ sake sir, do not let him hear you calling him English. His reply was, ”Ach so, so he is one of the famous Anzacs, Ja!”
Their fame proceedsthem and their legendary courage lives on!
Australia, the beautiful story!
Short summary of modern Australian history: seventeenth century is explored by the Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish. Only in the eighteenth century pirates appear, the “hero” of Australians James Cook who (when not!) proclaimed that land “discovered” by him as belonging to the British Crown (any resemblance to the Malvinas Islands is purely coincidental). Keep it up: it turns out that due to overcrowding criminal in England, this country decides to colonize Australia being the scourge of society far beyond. That is the origin of white settlement. To all this, they did with the Australian aborigines, that is the real Australians? Well as kangaroos hunted almost to exterminate them, and those who remained, those were displacing other inhospitable areas where they could no live. I doubt now today, humans consider.
I am more than satisfied with reality check's explanation of the origins of the name Benny.
You may be surprised to learn that there is an ANZAC Day dawn service in Stanley each year. There 's a reasonable number of Aussies and Kiwis living here most of the time. It fluctuates because most are short-term residents on work contracts. The variations in the GBP/AUD exchange rates and the UK employment situation impacts on the numbers.
It was very interesting to read a lot of what you wrote. Our two nations, despite the massive size difference, really do have a lot in common.
52 reality check
I liked your story about the Aussie in the slouch hat. I have fond memories of the Aus forces and the people I met in Canberra in the early 80s.
53 redpoll
Very funny also. LOL!
You've all heard the one about the Pommy Officer on exchange in Aus who got his nose out of joint because of the local soldiers weren't showing him the respect he deserved? It's a while since I've heard it but it goes something like this:
Pommy Officer: “CSM, I am not happy with the attitude of your men”
Aussie CSM: “Sorry to hear that sir, why not?”
Pommy Officer: “I don't like their language and they were directly insulting to me just now on the parade ground.”
Aussie CSM: “Why sir, that's no good. What did they say to you exactly?”
Pommy Officer: “Let's just say they questioned my parentage.”
Aussie CSM: “Oh dear sir, that's no good. Let's sort this out right away. Come with me.
Aussie CSM addressing about 15 soldiers on the parade ground: ”Right, listen up! Which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?”
Ouch, Claws away please!!!
Will somebody PLEASE bring Bongo a saucer of milk??
Sounds like you only have the right to free speech when what you are saying is what everyone else wants to hear...................
And that my friend is nothing short of good old fashioned communism
It reminds me of the story of a fracas in the cookhouse and the RSM is sent to quell the disturbance.
“Right, which one of you called the cook a c@nt. A voice from the back replied ”Who called the c@nt a cook
chuckle chuckle chuckle
And again, the Conspiracy of coincidence. You see there was a Major who commanded B company 2 PARA at Goose Green
“Whose special aura of authority and experience had been earned by service with the SAS in Oman”
and it goes on to say:-
“He was held in immense respect by his men, who were amused by his habit of wearing a black woolly hat in the field instead of a helmet”
That was / is Major John Crosland.......A true “Benny” if there ever was one.
LOL! I like it.
A mate of mine actually got demoted by a considerable degree for shouting out accross a crowded mess to one of the cooks “hey cookie, what's this shit?”
“Flush twice, it's a long way to the mess.”
I've seen that in a few ablutions.
This joke was on me. I was so disgusted with my main meal (first and last time ever actually) one lunch time on the weekend in the mess that I complained in the log book. The Mess Officer called me in on Monday and pointed out that I no longer lived-in and I wasn't rationed in, nor did I sign in (commit to pay). We agreed that I might leave it at that.
God and the RSM are standing next to each other on the heavenly parade ground, waiting to inspect the Battalion.
Smiffy whispers out of the side of his mouth to his mate Jonesy, “Jonesy, whose that standing next to the RSM?”
Joe. Yah Bean stealer!
God bless the cooks, when you were wet, cold and bloody miserable, they always came through for you, worth their weight in gold!
An oldie but a goodie.
I always kept on the right side of the Caterers; I couldn't agree with you more. Well, apart from that one time when I was still green behind the ears. God, that must've been about 35 years ago. Where does the time go?
You can say that again, seems like only yesterday, do it all again though.
Nite mate, regards to all down South.
Thank you very much, in such as short space of time you already know me so well. I just won’t be able to resist!
@57 Joe Bloggs
It is amazing to hear that there is a Dawn Service in Stanley. It is an amazing way to give remembrance when the dawn is breaking. The Last Post always gives me goose bumps. I actually did the Dawn Service in Gallipoli in 2004. It was a great atmosphere. My mate and I almost cuddled each other through the cold night surrounded by Aussies, Poms, Kiwis and Turks who all went dead quiet at the same time.
Australia has a real and very deep connection with Turkey because of this. It is a pity other countries can’t move on….. hint hint!
Though if you are ever in Australia on April 25th, I suggest the Canberra service. They turn off all the street lights and as the dark sky lightens you get an awesome view of Parliament Hill with magpies warbling and cockies screeching.
Though in Melbourne you can have crowds of nearly 50,000 – I’m one of the few people that can sing Advance Australia Fair AND God Save the Queen-gets a few stares.
“It was very interesting to read a lot of what you wrote. Our two nations, despite the massive size difference, really do have a lot in common.”
Probably why I feel a connection to the Falklands. A long way from Britain though happy to be part of the monarchy, still adjusting to a national identity in a neighbourhood that differs markedly and full of characters that are almost Aussie-like in their outlook and customs.
So enough rambling. If we ever meet I’ll call you Bennie and you can call me an Aussie Bastard, which most Aussies would take as a firm affirmation of friendship. (though for some unknown reason bastard always sounds better with an Aussie accent LOL).
Now if someone would be so kind to post something so that when I get home from work I can reply to Malvinero1 as he will undoubtedly come back here for his just desserts.
Welcome to my parlour said the spider to the fly….. LMAO
For those who have not heard this song it is worth listening to.
It does away with all the jingoism and patriotic fervour and is deeply moving. Written by Scot, Eric Bogle, it should be made compulsory for all who are desperate to get us into wars but do not have to suffer the consequences.
For my generation Waltzing Matilda Is the Australian National Anthem. It brings into mind an archetypal Australian character of the old school, like Chips Rafferty, tough and self reliant.
Another song penned in the similar vein is The Green Fields of France. This is the most poignant anti-war song you can hear.
If it does not move you then you cannot have any human emotions.
The Band played Waltzing Matilda
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG48Ftsr3OI
No Man's land or The Green Fields of France
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUzQ6Am-bbc
Way off topic but I was carried away by the thread.
First off, thanks for this opportunity. Always a pleasure to showcase my intellect and knowledge while exposing your lack thereof.
Australia is indeed a “beautiful story”. I mean 225 years of European settlement and 112 years of nationhood..... and what a comparison it is to any other country including yours!
So no, James Cook didn't discover Australia. The first European landing in Australia was Dutch in 1606. It was never “explored” by the Spanish, Portuguese or French. There is no unproven or unsubstantiated claims in our history. We are quite open about Janszoon's discovery with the continent called 'New Holland' for almost 150 years even by the British.
Cook claimed the east coast. The FIRST AND ONLY European claim to Australian territory. No Francisco de Ribera. No Jewett. No Vernet. Just Cook!
Proven, substantiated and recognised.
“any resemblance to the Malvinas Islands is purely coincidental”
Actually any resemblance to the Falklands is outright idiotic. I'd actually say dumb.
And yes Australia was a convict colony. I mean think about it. Look how rich, stable and prosperous we are. Even starting with convicts our country beats most others on every metric. Lower corruption, stronger democracy, higher transparency and higher standard of living. Mind you I wish I had a convict in my family tree-it's considered quite prestigious here. Alas just English, Irish, Scottish, Danish and Spanish.
In 189 years of democracy in Australia.... not one single coup, military government or civil war. Your country's record?
Though I'll admit our treatment of the aborigines was abysmal. But we don't blame it on anyone but ourselves. Who do you blame? The Spanish? Portuguese?
Kangaroos? Yeah with 52 million they're about to go extinct! Pathetic.
And if only you knew what François Péron on the Baudin expedition from France said when visiting Sydney in 1802.
I don't know about anyone else but I would score that as game, set and match to the Aussie bastard. LOL!
As for what François Péron on the Baudin expedition from France said when visiting Sydney in 1802:
”How can it be conceived that such a monstrous invasion was accomplished, with no complaint in Europe to protest against it? How can it be conceived that Spain, who had previously raised so many objections opposing the occupation of the Malouines (Falklands Islands), meekly allowed a formidable empire to arise to facing her richest possessions, an empire which must either invade or liberate them?”
www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-10/aussies-study-french-invasion-plan-for-sydney/4419168
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