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Brazil supports Argentina's Malvinas claim and agrees to more presence in the South Atlantic

Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 07:13 UTC
Full article 90 comments

Brazil reaffirmed support for Argentina's sovereignty rights over the Malvinas and other South Atlantic islands and surrounding maritime spaces at a meeting of the head of the Malvinas Islands affairs desk, Daniel Filmus with top officials from Defense and Foreign Affairs in Brasilia. Read full article

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  • Escoses Doido

    Yawn.............

    May 23rd, 2014 - 07:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Gordo1

    More pressing matters at home need attention, Mr Filmus! Why waste your time with your forlorn attempts to hoodwink other nations with your lost cause. The Falklands/Malvinas never have been Argentine territory and never will be!

    May 23rd, 2014 - 07:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    The S.Atlantic ocean is open water outside countries territorial limits.
    There can be no objection to Brazil sailing in these waters. However, it would seem difficult for Argentina to participate in joint action as they don't seem to have a ship that can float.
    More hot air from Filmus.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • La Patria

    Brazil probably said 'If we say the Malvinas son argentinas, will you keep Carlos Tevez away from the World Cup'.
    Deal done!

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Room101

    Any diversion for Argentina will do.
    Counter situation...
    http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2014/05/argentine-peso

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Benson

    “which is far from being a defensive deployment, as argued by the British” Prove it you liar.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    Tell us Argentina: How many times have the British Military made incursions into Argentine territory? Have not heard a peep about that. Purely defensive as the UK Government stated. Do you not think that if the UK had flown into Argie airspace the whole world would know about it. Whinging bastards. Nuff said.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 09:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • darragh

    In a reciprocal deal Argentina has agreed to support Brazil's inalienable right to the sovereignty of Mars.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 10:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CaptainSilver

    I think what has unsettled CFK Timidman, Filmus and now Brazil is not the defensive Typhoons, not the defensive type 45s, not the defensive Ghurkas, its those Atomic Penguins militarising the South Atlantic, its the only explanation!

    Bahahahaha...

    May 23rd, 2014 - 11:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vestige

    Good stuff Brazil.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 11:24 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    “Good stuff Brazil”

    Poor Vestige. Always picking the losing side. Bahahahaha

    May 23rd, 2014 - 11:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vestige

    Well done Brazil on your just and righteous support of Argentina.

    :)

    May 23rd, 2014 - 12:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    And at the decolonisation meeting one June.

    Jeez, “ THE CIRCUS IS BACK IN TOWN.”

    Where, oh where, oh where, does the time go?

    Scarey!

    May 23rd, 2014 - 12:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @12 Vestige

    If your 'cause' is so just and righteous why don't you take it to the International Court of Justice?

    Come on, put your money where your mouth is. If you don't then the whole world knows that Argentina is just a wannabe but impotent colonial power with about as much influence as a gnat.

    On the other hand it costs Brazil (or anyother South American country) to mouth empty platitudes at Argentina, because we all know that Argentina also covets their territory too.

    So whilst Argentina is rabidly foaming at the mouth over the mythical Malvinas, the rest of South America know they are safe from you exporting round 2 of your dirty war.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 12:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @6 Of course it's defensive. But you can't defend much with 4 multirole aircraft, a C130, a tanker and 2 SAR helicopters. Are the rest underground? Would the argies be able to tell which 4 Typhoons were flying around? Anybody noticed that British submarines are only ever noticed going TO the Falklands, never leaving? Of course, British submarine deployments aren't even “commented” on. Wonder where they go? Perhaps there's a sub sitting off Rio right now!

    Notably, when a Royal Navy submarine visits Gibraltar, it just pops up a few miles offshore. Just to get the spaniards nervy. All those subs carry up to 30 Tomahawk Land Attack cruise missiles!

    May 23rd, 2014 - 12:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GALlamosa

    Filmus is a fantasist and a liar. Can't wait to see the joint forces appear over the horizon.

    By the way did anybody notice that Castro last week denied Argentina was seeking to harrass the Falkland Islanders, and Filmus two weeks earlier had confirmed that they were.

    Who to believe, the office boy or the hostess ??

    May 23rd, 2014 - 01:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Eddieposted

    Odd that the Brazilians don't whine about the French colony in French Guyana and it's military facilities right next door.
    Maybe Brazil is too scared of the French.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 01:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    ”Filmus referred to the threat that the UK military base in Malvinas represents, “which is far from being a defensive deployment, as argued by the British”

    So what part of UK's military deployment is offensive?

    More general non specific fairy tales which the failed senator cannot justify.

    @10 Vestige

    If Argentina had politicians that stuck to real life rather than trade in fantasies perhaps they would be successful.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 02:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Pete, Its not just the pols that are delusional, there are plenty of posts on this board that would prove otherwise.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 02:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    Blue pampers initiative.

    No Maritime capability of their own to speak of, so now they are kissing Brazilian arses for assistance.

    Love it!!!!

    May 23rd, 2014 - 02:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @20 RC

    Agreed.

    In fact didn't they try something similar about 2 years ago? Basically begging their South American neighbours to invade the Falklands on their behalf? Of course the rest of South America doesn't actually have a problem with the British or the Falklanders, and they aren't willing to sacrifice their people for Argentina, especially when Argentina would stab each and every one of them in the back at any given opportunity.

    What the people of Argentina don't realise is how pathetic and weak CFK and her winged monkeys make Argentina look, and just how much their neighbours actually revel in Argentina's misfortune of having such a useless bunch of nutters running the country.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 03:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    “Brazil supports Argentina's Malvinas claim and agrees to more presence in the South Atlantic”

    is that a new for this “newspaper”?
    of course brazil supports argentina.
    and uruguay
    and the rest of latin america
    and the rest of the world, except little britain and a pair of their colonies.
    no news, non-stories

    May 23rd, 2014 - 03:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    No, guys, Filmus et al are right.

    The combined strength of the British defence forces around the Falkland Islands is massively greater than the whole of the South American UNASUR forces put together.
    We all know this.

    They would be wise to treat the British force as defensive rather than aggressive. It is deployed defensively and would never be used in any fashion other than defence.
    But you know what they say about tweaking the sleeping tiger's tail ... not wise.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 04:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #22
    “Little Britain”. Yes, in Geographical terms. How is it that his little country, 8000 miles away, has Argentina, ( a country with over 10 times the land mass and a large population,) crapping itself.
    The old “rest of the world” cliché again....try something different and truthful for a change.

    ”... agrees to more presence in the South Atlantic”
    Fine, you can hold samba and tango parties in the southern ocean for all the difference it will make.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 04:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    “Little Britain”. Yes, in Geographical terms. How is it that his little country..blablabla...”
    lol clyde.
    it was just a bit of rant
    don't get mad, mate

    May 23rd, 2014 - 04:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • niphotos

    Blah,Blah,Blah...........FACT !!!!!!......Forever Falklands ....FOREVER BRITISH.....God help us that the brainless twats in Brazil and Argie land cannot get this into their thick ignorant skulls !

    May 23rd, 2014 - 05:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    1. 'Latin American states have together adopted the principle of uti possidetis with the view to simply protest against the occupation of the Falkland Islands by England in 1833 by stating that there were no longer any terrae nullius in Latin America.'

    2. 'The same states have never adopted together the uti possidetis as a way of settling their boundary disputes.'

    3. 'The same states have ended up abandoning the uti possidetis due to its ambiguity.'

    4. 'Not a single arbitration tribunal has ever proprio motu, in the silence of the compromise, taken a decision to apply the uti possidetis.'

    5. 'It is on this basis, i.e. a mutual agreement between the two parties - and not on its own that the Chamber will declare that the uti possidetis juris will be applied to the case.'

    (Territorial Integrity in a Globalizing World, International Law and States Quest for Survival, El Quali, Abdelhamid, 2012, page 134).

    Brazil is merely paying the lip-service to the petulant child. Argentina would never win a sovereignty case in the International Courts because ''it has no case.''

    May 23rd, 2014 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    Within the next 25 years the UK will be retuning the Malvinas to Argentina.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 07:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    And so it came to pass,
    Brazil went south into military conflict to defend something that never existed ,
    for a nation who lied connived and deceived them into thinking Argentina had rights , and their Brazilian neighbours lost it all,
    power , respect , and its military,

    and all for her false love for Argentina who cared not, and repaid the kind effort with taking Brazilian territory,
    ironic or just a dream, only Daniel Filmus can tell you that..lol
    just an impression chaps..

    May 23rd, 2014 - 07:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    So, we have one idiotic argie convinced that a bunch of UN Security Council wanabees from a backward country desperately vying for the approval of the world are convinced that they (the argies) are doing the correct thing.

    Mmmm!

    Raving loonies the lot of them.. No wonder Dilma is pissed off if this is all she has to work with.

    SA: the continent of brotherly love!!!

    HA, HA, HA, HA.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    “Within the next 25 years the UK will be returning the Malvinas to Argentina.”

    Hepatia first made this claim around about the Queen's Birthday TWO YEARS AGO.

    It makes me so happy that she is still unable to update the “prediction” to take account that 4% of the time she estimates has already expired.

    What's the bet that she is still saying the EXACT same thing in a year's time?

    All she does is prove the vacuousness of Argentina's claim and how it exists just for the sake of existing. Bring on 2037 I say!

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    Its all crap, next year Kirchner will be gone and whomever replaces her will have so much more on their plate keeping that ridiculous country from default, I doubt you will ever hear sound bites like 'blue pampa' again. No wonder Brazil just nods and agrees, they know that in October next year the current regime in Argentina will be gone for good and time for the next circus to roll into town.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ljordao

    I am Brazilian, and this news deeply embarrasses me. Both Celso Amorim and Eduardo dos Santos are stupid and dishonest.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 08:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    @33
    Well it would seem that Argentina would quite like to borrow your Navy for its own deluded agenda, I do hope you don't fall for it.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 09:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Falkland Islands

    what I always find funny, is that these little stories always come from an Argentine mouth, why is brazil not telling us this?

    May 23rd, 2014 - 09:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • malen

    32 Nobody talks of “blue pampa”. Even it is a girls name, a city, etc: Azul. So you must say Azul. And Pampa Azul.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 10:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ricagp

    A brazilian VERY vague lip service turns into a strong support, almost an war cry, according to Filmus.

    May 23rd, 2014 - 10:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Falkland Islands

    all these threats, what happened to the peace bit, do you think Argentina will lose the peace prize? ha ha

    May 24th, 2014 - 12:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Don Alberto

    @ 28 Hepatia who write: “Within the next 25 years the UK will be retuning the Malvinas to Argentina.”

    You can have the Malvinas today if you want them - just stay away from The Falkland Islands or you'll get another spanking.

    May 24th, 2014 - 04:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    @ 39. Perhaps he was talking about the Maldives?

    May 24th, 2014 - 04:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    I suppose the Brazilians should feel a sense of pride over this.

    After all they could have asked for support from any country in the WHOLE WORLD, who as we are frequently reminded, support their claim and who out of fraternal love for the Republic, would be only to willing to supply them with maritime resources they so desperately need and are unable to afford themselves.

    They were spoil for choice!

    May 24th, 2014 - 06:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    The whole world supports Argentina...except for the majority of countries that voted against them in the UNGA vote in 2008.

    Brazil voted with Argentina...

    Where is Argentinas progress in converting one of the 60-odd that voted with the UK...or even one of the abstentions.....don't keep trotting out the same 22 Latin votes...or the odd tinpot corrupt regime.

    LOL

    May 24th, 2014 - 06:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    Well, we all know where the Whole World support came from?

    The same place as those 41 UN Binding Resolutions!!

    May 24th, 2014 - 06:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • HansNiesund

    As usual, there appears to be no source for this other than Filmus' press release. Or in other words it's all part of the attempt to fool the Argentine domestic audience that a world-wide clamour is growing in favour of Argentina.

    Brazil's actual position is a piece of pragmatic South Americana which has has not changed and is well expressed here :

    http://veja.abril.com.br/noticia/internacional/malvinas-apoio-brasileiro-a-argentina-e-antigo-diz-governo

    Argentina remains the nutter on the bus of the world community, to be humoured politely until they go away and start bothering somebody else.

    May 24th, 2014 - 07:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #28
    Within the next 25 years the UK will be retuning the Malvinas to Argentina.
    In the next 25 years Hepatia will be saying the same old mantra.

    May 24th, 2014 - 08:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328311: But you not actually a real Brazilian are you. See:

    (Por): http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328311:

    (Eng): http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328311:

    May 24th, 2014 - 02:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    @ 28 'Argentine's Confident of Falklands Agreement' Dr. Bramuglia said, 'Argentina's policy favoured a process of self-determination for other colonies such as British Honduras and the Guyana by means of plebiscites.' 1947

    May 24th, 2014 - 04:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ljordao

    @46:

    All freedom-loving Brazilians feel at least slightly uncomfortable about being Brazilian, and with very good reason. Brazil has always been an authoritarian Leviathan, and so it takes an extraordinary level of optimism to believe that it will one day become a truly open society. The idea that one should always feel proud of one's country is a fascist tenet. Do you ever wash your brown shirt?

    May 24th, 2014 - 05:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    Brazil's support of Argentina's claim to the falklands is a load of hogwash. It's all politics and crappy diplomacy, because the last thing Brazil needs is to get involved in Argentina's fantasies and create problems with England. Brazil has absolutely nothing to gain by supporting Argentina in this question... or in many others, for that matter.....just take a look at the Mercosur trade agreement....what has Brazil gained , except a load of headaches after each Kirchner government doesn't keep its side of the deal ?? And Celso Amorim, Defense Minister ?? don't make me laugh...he's just an imbecile who thinks he's smart.

    May 24th, 2014 - 10:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328480: Of course Brazil has an authoritarian history. And no Brazilian should accept that history uncritically. But your discomfort seems to be more than slight.

    But you must be overjoyed at the new freedoms that Brazilians now have. The freedom to elect a congress and administration which has expanded the universities system and is committed to destroying the authoritarian power of the oligarchs by transferring wealth to the poor and, so, creating a new middle class. Further they are free to elect an administration which looks to the security of the region and expel European colonial powers from America.

    So there is no need for you to debase yourself by expressing shame in your country on a British propaganda Web site. Or are you one of those who habitually says, “Abaixo este Brasil atrasado”?

    May 26th, 2014 - 12:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #50
    expel European colonial powers from America.

    Do you mean start a war ?

    May 26th, 2014 - 08:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ricagp

    50

    “Further they are free to elect an administration which looks to the security of the region and expel European colonial powers from America.”

    Brasil is not interested, and never has been, in expel European colonial powers from Latin America, since there is none. Britain is not a colonial “p0wer” anymore, it's just another regular European country - by the way, far less powerful than Germany, perhaps less powerful than France.

    I'm not ashamed for the brazilian position because everyone knows its pure lip service. Everyone. We will not start a stupid confrontation with Argentina, since it's a great market for our companies and investments and a great tourism destination. OTOH, we will not start a confrontation with the British, for pretty obvious reasons.

    Pragmatism. A non-supportive support. Brasil and the British are fully aware of it. That's why I'm not ashamed.

    May 26th, 2014 - 02:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @50

    “and expel European colonial powers from America.”

    Like France on their doorstep?

    And the Brazilians who are descended from Europeans get on a one way trip to Europe leaving the indigenous population to reclaim their country?

    May 26th, 2014 - 05:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328819: You may not be ashamed but your alter ego, 'ljordao', is deeply embarrassed. He has said so.

    Nobody has mentioned confrontation apart from you. I see no prospect for any confrontation. The European colonial powers can be expelled without it. For instance the UK will willingly return the Malvinas to Argentina within the next 25 years.

    Brazil has, of course, it own interests and they do not include interference by European powers. This meshes well with US interests in a post Pivot to Asia world.

    May 26th, 2014 - 08:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #54
    The parrot squawks again -. European colonial powers - enumerate and explain why you think that they are colonial powers, and if so, whose land have they appropriated.
    Expelled in English means to remove by force which is contrary to what you are saying. Why should I be surprised at that !

    May 26th, 2014 - 08:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    Hippy@50...Let's analyse some of yr silly remarks :
    1) “But you must be overjoyed at the new freedoms that Brazilians now have” : - what “new” freedoms ?? even during the military dictatorship, law abiding citizens had all the freedom they needed...only those who liked to be called 'freedom-fighters' (what a joke !) and who tried to install a Cuban-type regime in Brazil, by rising up in arms (BEFORE the military coup of March '64), got screwed...
    2) “The freedom to elect a congress and administration which has expanded the universities system and is committed to destroying the authoritarian power of the oligarchs by transferring wealth to the poor and, so, creating a new middle class” : - Quite frankly, with the (low) level of public education in this country, the voters usually elect the scum of politics into Congress. The current government has done virtually nothing towards the expansion of the University system which, aside from the older, traditional public universities , has largely fallen into the hands of the private sector, which seems to be more interested in the students money than producing competent professionals. The current (PT) government has not only NOT done away with the oligarchs, to the contrary, it has supported them, and worse, it's become an oligarchy itself - made up of corrupt politicians willing to side with the government, for a price. And as far as the transfer of wealth to the poor, is concerned, if you think that government handouts is a sustainable path towards growth and the creation of a true middle-class, you are wrong. Without the handouts, the so-called new middle-class can't stand on it's own feet.
    3) “Further they are free to elect an administration which looks to the security of the region and expel European colonial powers from America” :- LOL... the 'people' hardly know what's going on around them, far less in the “region”...and abt expelling European colonial powers ? to stupid to comment on.

    May 26th, 2014 - 09:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ricagp

    54

    I couldn't care less about ljordao or any other maggot who doensn't have a clue about international politics.

    I mentioned confrontation because Brasil will avoid it in order to keep good relations with UK and Argentina. Brasil doesn't give a shit about the so called “European colonial powers” in South America, they're irrelevant for brazilian interests. They don't say a word about French Guiana or Suriname. Why? Because their main trading partner have no problem with them. Therefore, there is no need for lip service or empty discourse.

    One or two words followed by a “viva latinoamerica” and that's it, service done. Everyone involved is fully aware of it, except, perhaps, the Argentines.

    May 27th, 2014 - 12:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328924: You are still missing the point. All Brazil needs to do to expel the European colonial powers is continue to grow economically. There is no confrontation required.

    May 27th, 2014 - 02:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Eduvasolino

    As a brazilian, I must inform; the brazilian government does not represent us in mostly nothing! 13 million of our population are illiterate, and most people in Brazil probably doesn't even know what is Falklands. my honest opinion is that Falklands has always been a British colony, thus the people living in there must have the right to choose who they pay taxes to, most intellectuals in Brazil share the same opinion. note* I also think it's utterly shameful that Falklands is been excluded from conmebol all this time, and it's not able to play in Copa América or Copa Libertadores da América due to this foolishness, Angentina has always been a pain in the ass to everybody anyway.

    May 27th, 2014 - 07:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    Hopefully, Brasil will become even more full of people like me - Europeans here to work on high-end industrial projects, education, health, governance ... and, eventually, retirement as ex-pats. - all the things that will help to make Brasil a better country.

    Does it matter that in the history of the world, Europeans - or anybody else - colonised other parts?
    Hepatia, you don't need to expel everybody from all those countries that once moved populations from one place to another in order to 'grow economically'. In fact it is just the opposite; most of the world's economic growth, through history, has come from people-movement, new ideas, new resources, and the intelligence to join the dots.

    May 27th, 2014 - 08:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #58
    Still waiting an answer to #55

    May 27th, 2014 - 09:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • FI_Frost

    In this short article:

    “said Filmus” = 3 times
    “concluded Filmus” = 1
    “refereed Filmus” =1

    ...and Brazil said ?......(nodded head, smiled politely and silently yawned.....)

    May 27th, 2014 - 11:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    Hippy@58....we all know that you speak without any knowledge of what you are blabbing about, so do us all a favour - just shut up !

    May 27th, 2014 - 03:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ljordao

    @50:

    “But you must be overjoyed at the new freedoms that Brazilians now have. The freedom to elect a congress and administration which ... is committed to destroying the authoritarian power of the oligarchs by transferring wealth to the poor.” In the first place, as Jack Bauer has remarked, the present federal government has not destroyed any traditional oligarchies: it has befriended, strengthened and protected them. (José Sarney's trajectory shows how terribly wrong you are.) In the second place, what makes you think that forcefully transferring wealth to the poor is a freedom-enhancing policy? Surely you realise you cannot make “freedom” mean whatever you want it to mean. Please go read John Stuart Mill on majority tyranny.

    “They are free to elect an administration which looks to the security of the region and expel European colonial powers from America.” The only threat to the security of the region comes from the Bolivarians in power. Since the vast majority of their permanent residents consent to British sovereignty, the British public does not see the Falkland Islands as a colony. Therefore, it is only by means of war that Argentina can get control of them. (The fall of a giant asteroid in Great Britain is highly improbable.) The scumbags you worship know this all too well.

    May 27th, 2014 - 04:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    Hepatia (#50)
    '... and is committed to destroying the authoritarian power of the oligarchs by transferring wealth to the poor and, so, creating a new middle class.'

    Hepatia, you must be totally aware that the money does not flow away from the rich. The 'Robin Hood' robbing the rich to give to the poor is simply taking taxes from the old middle class to create a dependent lower-class (there is NO WAY that these people - eg my maid and my caseiro - can be compared to the true middle classes).
    No, the rich - your 'Oligarchs' - continue to GET RICHER by nepotism, corruption and the exercise of raw power of those that already have.

    May 27th, 2014 - 04:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ljordao

    @52, 57:

    The governing party is less pragmatic and more ideologically fanatic than you think. Besides, even pragmatism sometimes dictates hostile and ultimately counterproductive behaviour.

    May 27th, 2014 - 04:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ricagp

    The current brazilian government is doing EXACTLY THE SAME THING other brazilian governments did in the past.

    EXACTLY THE SAME THING, since Dom Pedro.

    Even when Brasilian Navy blockaded Buenos Aires and invaded the whole place (with uruguayan and some argie help) to get rid of Rosas the official policy didn't change one word. Even in the worst periods of Brazilian-Argentine relationship the official discourse remained the same: as Malvinas são Argentinas.

    It will not change now when both countries are in a very friendly mood.

    In fact, in 1982 Brasil gave a far more decisive help to them, giving a room in our embassy in London to their diplomats. But, generally speaking, its 150 years of empty discourse and lip service.

    May 27th, 2014 - 08:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Usurping Pirate

    Whilst publicly appearing to support Argentina in its never ending quest to gain sovereignty of the archipelago , the Brazilian government is in fact lobbying on behalf of its mining companies for the exclusive right to mine opals there . Recent surveys suggest the islands have the world's largest deposits of the precious stones , and the British govt. has indicated it will double the estimated 12,000 troops already there to protect the deposits, the American nuclear base and the satellite tracking station . Reports that all the inmates from Guantanamo are going to be moved to this secret American base are being investigated by Amnesty International .
    The argentine website “ El Malvinense ” reports that the company that supplies all argentine goods to the islands , such Serenissima dairy products , is in fact owned by cronies of Cristina FdK .
    Another company she owns is responsible for producing and selling all the t shirts with Union Jacks on them that are so fashionable in Buenos Aires at the moment .
    The trade magazine Factory Fishing Today reports that the Falkland Islanders have granted exclusive fishing rights , right up to the coast of Argentina , in eternity , to Russian billionaire Vlad Illich Timochenko in return for £80,000,000 and a Russian “ Typhoon ” class nuclear submarine .
    They wanted the submarine because they are fed up with constant British defence cuts and fancy giving what little remains of the Argentine navy “ a bit of a kicking ”, plus they say , the submarine will be handy to protect Mr Timoshenko's factory ships while they trawl for Wright whales in Valdez . The crew will be a mixture of pakistanis , chileans and north Koreans .

    May 28th, 2014 - 03:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    Well, Usurping Pirate #68, it's a good job that all this is going on.
    If we had to rely on conventional defence, where would we be?

    Although of course I knew about most of these things, I was totally surprised that there was a US nuclear base down there - I thought the USA liked to keep these things secret!

    May 28th, 2014 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment329181: No doubt you summary of the past is correct, if over simplied. But, again, you are missing the point. It is not about the past or Brazil and Argentina or about Brazil and the UK or about Argentina and the UK. Its about the future and its all about Brazil.

    May 28th, 2014 - 07:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Daniel Filmus wants the Malvinas returned to Argentina so he can graze his unicorns on them. I feel this to be a perfectly legitimate aim.

    May 28th, 2014 - 08:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ricagp

    Hepatia, I was answering to ljordao. It's not even simplified, it's the whole truth: Brasil never changed one word of its position since 1833.

    And why do you say its “all” about Brasil?

    May 28th, 2014 - 10:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Forgetit87

    Brazil should help Argentina with a full blockade of the island; the islanders, as they starve, will have to agree that this is fair and good since their mother country did the same against Iraq, killing 1,000,000 persons in the process - many times the number of pests that can be killed in the FI.

    May 30th, 2014 - 02:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment329519: I disagree. The British will be gladly returning the Malvinas to Argentina within the next 25 years without the need for Brazil and Argentina having to resort to these sort of actions.

    May 30th, 2014 - 04:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ynsere

    Ricagp

    I share your view of Brazilian diplomacy. It's rather like little white lies, Brazilians hate to disappoint people. If you were like Argentines, you'd probably be claiming the Provincia Cisplatina.

    May 30th, 2014 - 06:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Forgetit87

    @Hepatia:
    But we can always make the devolution process more fun.

    May 30th, 2014 - 09:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #73
    So, Brazil should declare war on the UK to help an impotent Argentina.
    The advantage to Brazil would be exactly what?
    Blocade with what ? The Brazilian navy would disappear in smoke within 14 days. A few hunter killer subs. would sort out the matter .
    Do you seriously think that Brazil would take on a job like this to help Argentina. How deluded can you get...in your case probably more !
    Take your own advice.....Forgetit it will never happen

    May 30th, 2014 - 09:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Forgetit87

    Nerve = struck. *Disappears into the fog, laughing*

    May 30th, 2014 - 11:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    This is definitely NOT the same Forgetit87 that used to speak with such erudition on matters Brasilian.
    A pity, he was good.

    May 30th, 2014 - 12:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Trolls name change frequently.

    Brazil has zero interest in any military adventures in the South Atlantic.

    May 30th, 2014 - 12:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    Sounds like A-VOICE

    May 30th, 2014 - 04:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jack Bauer

    Hippy@74, you predict that the Brits will “gladly return” the Falkland Islands to the Argies...based on what d'you make such a nonsensical claim ? wishful thinking ? One thing you need to remember, the Islanders are the only ones who have the right to determine where their future lies, and it sure doesn't look like it's with the Argies.
    But to make such a claim, suppose you have crystal balls, so that you can see what's cumming ......

    May 30th, 2014 - 06:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @ 74 Hepitatis is a complete idiot. I think that is an established fact now.

    May 30th, 2014 - 09:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment329656: Its quite simple. The UK will return the Malvinas gladly ecause it will be in their national interest to do so.

    May 31st, 2014 - 03:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Bahahaha!
    Bhaaahahaha!

    Hepatitis you are hysterical! Stop it!
    Please. I am laughing too hard! Where do you get your material from? Do you have your own team of comedy script writers?

    Just brilliant! Thank you!

    PMSLaughing!

    May 31st, 2014 - 07:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Clyde15

    #85
    I have come to the conclusion that it is an automated reply service.
    There only appears to be a few stock replies ---
    A) Press button one for“ 25 years” or
    B) Press button 2 for “return the Malvinas because it will be in their national interest to do so.”

    May 31st, 2014 - 09:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anglotino

    Yes Hepatia believes that these glib and stock answers leaves us scrambling.

    But what is such a joy to watch is that his own words actual make Argentina look even more impotent.

    Because every year there is no change in the status quo. Every year Argentina expend all that energy for nothing and the UK blithely cruises along not noticing.

    Every year shows that Britain's national interest is not impinged by any single thing Argentina does or says. For very country that Argentina claims supports it anew, the UK doesn't even deign to notice or react.

    The UK government doesn't even turn up to the C24. And I've yet to have anyone show me a single pitfall or negative event that has been inflicted upon the UK by having the Falkland Islands as a BOT.

    Argentina has believed that it will “recover” the Falkland Islands since the 1940s.

    So after 70 years, Hepatia thinks it will take ANOTHER 25 years. That's 95 years!

    And because she will say the same thing next year, it will be 96 years.

    96 years.

    As she will no doubt be repeating the same “fact” in 5 years, that will take the impotence of Argentina out to a CENTURY.

    I am, for one, glad that she keeps highlighting that Argentina is no closer to its goal and still needs another quarter of a century. Because nothing say loser more than needing yet more time after seven decades.

    May 31st, 2014 - 11:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @74
    “The British will be gladly returning the Malvinas to Argentina within the next 25 years ”
    From 2014? or is that 25 years from 2015? From 2016? From 2020? From 2030? From 2050? From 2100?

    Why not within 5 years?

    Why not within 2 years?

    Menem said you would get your mythical place back by 2000-It's now 2014.

    @86
    “I have come to the conclusion that it is an automated reply service”

    Yes, the Malvinas call centre seems to be unmanned.

    Jun 01st, 2014 - 09:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Escoses Doido

    @59
    Like your post.
    You share the same basic view of all the Brasilians I know.
    I actually meet a brother if a close friend a few months ago, who's poor head had been filled with shite by an RG.
    Needless to say, he has been enlightened :)

    Jun 01st, 2014 - 03:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2014/05/23/brazil-supports-argentina-s-malvinas-claim-and-agrees-to-more-presence-in-the-south-atlantic#comment328941: But, sadly, any party that does represent you is unable to get sufficient votes in either the congressional or presidential elections to win office. Why is that do you think? Could it be that the opinion that you have expressed is that of a very small minority?

    Jun 01st, 2014 - 06:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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