MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Former Argentine minister blasts Cobos for Falklands trip; passport controversy
Argentina's former foreign minister Jorge Taiana described lawmaker and presidential hopeful Julio Cleto Cobos current visit to the Falkland Islands totally “irresponsible” and 'without consultation'. He also blasted the fact that the lawmaker would have his Argentine passport stamped by the government of the Falkland Islands. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesNot a stamp collector then ? :-)
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0He went.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0Time for people to get over it.
@1
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0More philistine than philatelist ; )
FIG only stamps the passport? They should consider tattooing it to the forhead of these bananas until it finally sinks-in, that they are and always will be on foreign soil.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0Stupid people, they could start a row on an empty room.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0Jorge Taiana,
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0oh well I'm sure the Falklands can make do without you as a tourist.
This may well become a trend for Argentines having their passports stamped while abroad in the Falklands, to show the folks back home.
They scare easily, don't they? A stamp in a passport….oooooooh.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 09:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0Who cares what stamp is in a passport? Do they ( immigration) look anyway?
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 09:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Oh dear, how childish can one get.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 10:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0So long as he respects the laws of the British Territory any visitor should be welcome if they come in peace and their presence may contribute to the healing process on the basis of mutual respect of each side's ideas. He has taken a big risk and if he speaks the truth no one will vote for him. If it is a political gimmick it could easily backfire too. He has studied at a military college. Who can tell what is in his mind? This has no precedent so the Kelpers should study this strange specimen that has washed up on their shores.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 10:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0As he went to the Falkland's,
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 10:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0does this mean, that under her own rules, he cannot return to Argentina,
so he must wander between two worlds forever..lol
Lmfao!
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 10:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0Another one who was brainwashed at primary school.
And Tiana will “never” come to the Falkland Islands. Is that an admission of defeat, or does he expect to snuff it soon ?
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 10:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0Cobos is not the first prominent Argentine to visit. Di Tella visited after he retired and thoroughly enjoyed his visit. Goodness knows who else has been on cruise vessel visits.
Interesting. Argentine commentators said it was the Falkland Islanders that were making the unnecessary fuss over this visit! But it looks like the Argentines have once again beaten the islanders in irrationality!
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 11:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0Now this is a great example of Argentine delusion. They claim it. They say it belongs to them. They say it doesn’t belong to the people who were born there or live there. And they also refuse to go there. You have to love the Argentines!
“According to the former official and current legislator, he “never went and will never go” to the Falklands because Argentine passports must be stamped once arriving in the Islands, ”
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 11:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0Call me sarcastic but I assume this statement will not lead to sleepless night or a display of uncontrolled wailing on the streets of Stanley?
Denying the Islanders their identity won't get the Argentines their objective of the Islands.
In fact the entire opposite.
What boneheads.
You forget the vast number of highly trained argentine special forces soldiers who were always landing by submarine:).
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0Strangely never saw any of them on my week long foot patrols maybe somebody was making up an excuse to get us out and about?
Another argie with his finger in the air!
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 12:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What is it with these SA clowns (No Money Pepe is always doing it) and pointing fingers?
Are they emulating religion or are they just stupid? We know the answer to that in Taiana's case, don't we.
PMSL at these idiots.
is chortling!
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 12:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@17
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 12:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He should be careful where he waggles that thing, might take an eye out.
Although poking yourself in the eye is probably the best metaphor for Argentine foreign policy regarding the Falklands of late.
14.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 12:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Actually I said that Cobos has far more to lose politically at home if he knocked on the doors of the islands gov't office.
I knew and I said he would be condemned by the Malvinistas and the Ks at home while on the islands themselves , everybody is hiding in doors scared of Cobos. He was already attacked in twitter by both sides without him even defining any political stance at the moment.
Thats why there is no point in any form of reconciliation are modest talk because on the one side you have the nationalist that will brand traitor anybody how shows any singn of modest talk or moderation and on the islands you have very difficult and silly people to deal with.
But cfk can go on an unscheduled trip to the Seychelles to launder some money and they don't say a word...amazing.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@20 - Another example of Argentine irrationality when it comes to the Falklands.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 01:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 022.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 01:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0But if Argies are such a burden and troublesome why don't you just prohibit their entry and say you want to have nothing to do with them nor discuss anything with them any longer??
Taiana should be type of Argentine that needs to be castrated, it is his retrograde mentality of “tercermundismo y envidia constante” that should no longer reproduce in this country.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 01:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We need to leave the Faklanders alone, first because it is the right thing to do. All Falklanders should be denied entry into Argentina given that they are not an official country thus they do not deserve treatment as such.
Beyond that, close our embassy in London. Begin the process of final disengagement and start closing other embassies in Europe for good measure. Nothing important needs to be accomplished with that Euro race anylonger.
@23
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 03:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Because we believe in diplomacy, you don't just shut people out of your country just because you do't like their political persuasion, we might as well ban everyone entry. Providing of course that they are not coming for terrorist actions.
24
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 04:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If I turned up at an Argentine port of entry with a Falkland Islands passport I would not be allowed to enter.
25.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 04:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That is vey flowery, but it its simple. You just enable a passport restriction of Argentines travelling to the FI like heaps of Muslim countries do to the Israeli passport holders...
Easy problem solved. FYI This was already done after the war to up the early 1990s.
@24
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 04:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Isolationism never works except to bring about dictatorial leadership (I. E. a junta, in your case...)
It's like a distillery, it refines and amplifies everything bad in a country. You said it yourself, your country struggles with fascism left in the social fabric.
You said that the Falkland Islands is not a real country - well, at the rate things are going eventually their GDP will be larger than yours. Then who is not a real country?
@27
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 04:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'm not sure anybody but yourself has suggested any such thing.
But what do you think Cobos is really up to? Do you think his visit is entirely innocent? Or could it be he's gearing up for some criticism of the current government's Malvinas policy, and the failure thereof? Not that this would necessarily be favourable to the islanders, but already with Taiana he has at least exposed the kneejerk irrationality of the Peronists.
29.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 04:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I dont know what he is up to. I think its a mixture of things,
He went to visit his fallen mate in Darwin.
He as a personal interest in seeing how things are on the islands and learn more.
He may also have a electoral agenda, but it doesnt matter anyway the party (PRO-UNEN-UCR) that represents him has already agreed on Macri-Sanz, it simpply hasn't been officialized yet, he may be a chief cabinet minister of thee next gov't if they win. A fairly high ranking position in Arg gov't but not a prez.
What you people must understand is that a moderate politician like he is has very little space to maneuver in this issue when he has all the Malvinistas and nationalists on his head and up to his steps. And if you want to return to the umbrella policy of the 1990s you shouldn't preassure him.
I can understand you dont know who is who and have no idea of Arg politics, but if you misstrust him you might as well close the door to all Argies, the FIG declare it wants nothing more to do with Arg all together and let London and BsAs advance on other issues. Any claims on the islands or regarded to them can be answered back by a olympic washing of hands by London... “Let me consult Stanley, but the answeer will surely be no”
Some people will never get along.
@29 Let me take the liberty to speak.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't know the reasons why he is visiting the Islands but most probably is not an innocent pne from the point of view that was not just “sightseeing”. Poloticians never do tourism when they visit other places and (the same way you do) as I am not a Peronist/fascist I distrust all politicians. That's what makes a republic strong.
Most probably it's a mixture of things. It might be for a little of free advertising, a little of being consider someone with soem interest in what is going on in the World, a little to establish a “before and after” respect to CFK regarding the FI...who knows exactly.
The fact is that plenty of Argentine people are sick and tired of the current “foreign affairs” policy ar regards FI since they believe it leads us to nowhere. We are also a little bit tired of an CFK ongoing discourse of confrontation with all countries.
My question, and I also believe other argentine people concern, is ”are we going to change our policy for nothing?...are we going to change basically to keep the current status of the FI? I (we) have no answer yet..
@30
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the opposition already been complaining in Congress that CFK's Malvinas policy isn't going anywhere (and indeed can't go anywhere). And won't any electoral candidate need a Malvinas policy of some kind? I don't mean by this a return to the 1990s or even the 1960s, or anything fanvourable to the islanders at all, just something different from the current empty posturing. A bit of Realpolitik would be a good start, although I can appreciate it's a hard sell.
#24
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Am I to assume that all Argentinians with family links to Europe should be banned from having any contact with them?
31.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And what do you want the west island in exchange for changing policy???... There was already fishing and o/g deals made under the umbrella policy of the 1990s and Argentina withdrew unilaterally from that under the Ks....
The next gov't can return to that or persist in the economical blockade and open hostility policy and whining in international forums.
I believe that in any case this is not an important matter for Arg foreign policy, in fact relations wwith European UK are far more important that what goes on in the South Atlantic
Pgerman, on the issue of the Falklands, and on the issue of hatred of the US and The UK, Argentina looses lots and gains absolutely nothing. Playing the victim when you are only a victim of your own bungling politicians leads nowhere. Time to try a change of policy, time to be nice, time to be friendly, time to shelve aggression and rejoin the world community as a brother country no longer a pariah associated with basket cases like Cuba and Venezuala. It would be welcome and benefit all Argentians particularly the less well off. Trade creates wealth and peace.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Hmmm, now we know the truth! It was a master stroke on the part of the Paras, to send in a passport official wielding his rubber stamp. The Argies abandoned their machine gun nests and ran like hell!
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 032.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Contrary to what you may think this is not a electoral issue in Argentina, at least not in my living memory after the war.
Cobos is affiliated to what is going to become a alliance for the next elections, so I dont know what will their stance be on this. My guess is that his actions will be more in line with dialogue rather than confrontation. More or less similar to the 1990s policy. I doubt it's going to have the same aggressive nature than the Ks policy and most likely they can just leave things in the shadow as they are and ignore this and move on to something else.
I dont know what are they going to do with Filmus's Malvinas office, Malvinas museum, the Malvinas observatory and all the money eating K public institutions
@23 - For a number of reasons (in no particular order);
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 01. We encourage tourism.
2. We encourage Argentines to visit the islands to understand our way of life and to break down the myths that are systematically taught to Argentines.
3. We believe it is important that the families of those that died on the Argentine side are able to mourn the deceased.
4. We are a forward thinking and democratic people who believe in openness and transparency.
5. We are a modern democracy and believe everyone should be able to visit the Falklands.
6. We do not discriminate against people who wish to visit the islands.
We have have practice healthy scepticism regarding those that seem to travel to the islands with a particular agenda, but that doesn't mean we deny entry.
I have no doubts about the benefits of having open and good relationships with the World. I really doubt is whether the World wants to have relationship with a country ruled by people like CFK and her peronist/fascist gangs or not.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I have doubts about the best policy towards FI
Anyway, I cannot find anything about Cobos' visit would be against FI people interests. Most probably he will have some informal (and secret?) meeting with FI authorities. If I were there I would do that. I would not miss the chance to have a “face to face” meeting.
38.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 05:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Fair enough but notice that you cant have it both ways.
I dont understand 100% what is it that you really want.
@40
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 06:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If Argentina were like Norway the FI people would have little doubt about join us. That's quite sensible from their point of view. Recognize that it's quite hard to be argentine now. Who wants to be ruled by CFK? Who would like to be ruled by a peronist President?
Latest FI related news...
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 06:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0'Falkland Islanders would be 'very happy' if Argentina ruled them, ambassador claims -
FALKLAND Islanders would have a better standard of life if the territory was ruled by Argentina, the country's UK Ambassador has sensationally claimed. In a provocative interview with George Galloway on his talk show, which aired on Russia Today, Argentine ambassador Alicia Castro claimed that the Islanders would benefit from free universities and healthcare, as well as receiving profits from oil and gas taken from the area...'
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/486313/Falklands-Islands-row-reignites-after-comments-from-ambassador
'“One day Argentina will exercise sovereignty over the Malvinas” - Argentina's ambassador to the UK said that our country “is gaining growing sectors of the British public” about the sovereignty dispute over the islands. Criticism of the “governor” of the territory and praise the Pope Francisco...'
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/486313/Falklands-Islands-row-reignites-after-comments-from-ambassador
'Fighters denounce Malvinas Cobos as “Traitor to the Motherland” - Fernando Loan described as “treason” Julio Cobos's trip to the Falkland Islands, because he claimed that since it is “a representative of the people of the nation,” Cobos would be “recognizing British sovereignty...”
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/486313/Falklands-Islands-row-reignites-after-comments-from-ambassador
Its obvious what the FIs want, what everyone wants, peace, prosperity and family and continue the way of life they already have… simple!
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 06:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@41
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 06:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'm thinking the same. If the Falklands were off the coast of Australia they'd all be Australians today and nobody would be complaining about it.
But standing offshore looking at Argentina, I don't see why anyone would voluntarily give up an organized, well-managed economy for that tar pit of corruption and incompetence...
26
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 06:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Is there a Falklands Islands Passport....?
@43
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Most of that can be perfectly well under Argentine sovereignty but economic prosperity.
There are plenty of minorities with more rights granted in Argentina than in any other country in South America. I believe it's just about the terrible current economic situation. Something quite sensible from FI people side.
Rather than stamping the passport, couldnt the just stamp on the passsport instead.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Better still why not brand them as they come in through passport control, ...could put in a sheep dip, veterinary inspection and everything.
Would be fun.
“ If the Falklands were off the coast of Australia they'd all be Australians today and nobody would be complaining about it.”
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Not necessarily. After all, New Zealand is off the coast of Australia and if you suggested they ought to be Australian they'd complain loudly. The Channel Islands are off the coast of France and haven't said they want to be French. There are a lot of small inconvenient countries that have no desire to be part of the bigger countries they “ought” to be in- San Marino, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Andorra...
The difference with the Falklands is that they are a nice handy way for Argentine politicians to change the subject when things get really awkward and things get really awkward rather often for Argentine politicians.
I've just read some of Alicia Castro's latest comments, probably her most ridiculous yet.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 07:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Wednesday July 2 - Alicia Castro - Comedian...
'the islanders have a colonial government appointed by the UK without any consultation or democratic participation on your part. Falklands if Argentina were a special province, as it happened in other cases of decolonization, choose their own government democratically.'
'The principle of self-determination is a principle of contemporary law that respects Argentina. But does not apply to any human community, but only to those people or native inhabitants who suffered a colonial invasion. There is the case of the Falklands. Not a colonized people but a territory colonized by the English, and so it clearly distinguishes the United Nations.'
'All Latin American and African countries recognize Argentina's sovereignty over Malvinas. And the rest of the countries of the world is calling for dialogue.'
www.infonews.com/2014/07/02/politica-151921-un-dia-la-argentina-va-a-ejercer-su-soberania-sobre-las-malvinas-malvinas.php
Trolley...serious question.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You spout off a lot about isolationism and no need for foreigners.
I am interested in your view of the following:
Ford Motor Company (American) has to choose where to invest in its next generation Ranger pick-up truck, currently made in Pacheco.
The factory currently employs around 5000 people, with suppliers and associated businesses employing 10x that locally.
Do you wish for Ford to leave Argentina, taking all the investment, equipment and jobs with them, leaving 50,000 people unemployed...or do you want this foreign investment in Argentinas manufacturing industry.
Or do you believe Argentina should seize Fords assets in Argentina, and attempt to manufacture something with it, until such time as the equipment is obsolete.
Which is it...50,000 unemployed tomorrow...or swallow your ridiculous pride.
Ditto GM.
ditto any one of a thousand foreign companies providing jobs for Argentines.
Please select
1) seize their assets and go alone
2) tell them to leave and collapse the economy
3) swallow your ridiculous and immature pride and realise inward investment is both desirable and essential.
Look forward to your answer
@41
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0At some point after the coming default, Argentina is going to have to try to reposition itself as a mature, responsible, democratic society. So long as the mutters can be held in check, the Malvinas “question” provides a means of doing so, as the Beagle channel dispute did after the war.
According to Castro “all of Africa supports Argentina”
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Erm....except for
Botswana, Nigeria, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, who voted with the UK in 2008
And....a whole load who abstained.
ginger fat whore is lying again....lol.
#46 Oh, most of that, but not the last bit! When you invaded you: -
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Made everyone drive on the wrong side of the road.
Started teaching lies to the children
Insisted on the use of an alien language
As well as using the Post Office as a toilet, guns everywhere, shut down free speech on Falklands Radio…
How can Argentina overcome that? In your dreams.....
41.
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 08:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I know you have the best of intentions. I feel sorry for Cobos who just got called a traitor by the war veterans or combatants (are they really ??) and well intended people who get traped in the middle. But I think that there is no way out. You have no margin of dialogue
@53
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 09:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Your right - There were many bombing runs made inside the Post Office.......
@50
Jul 02nd, 2014 - 10:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ford will probably leave on their own anyway. They need a stable economy without all the twists and turns that the Whacky leadership throws around at their whims.
Besides, the Whacky leadership has practically forbidden foreign corps from earning any profits on the Argentine investments, so why stay unless you need a global tax write-off with perpetual losses?
You're even.....
Jul 03rd, 2014 - 12:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0Perhaps Jorge Taiana is just jealous that he never got the chance to visit the British Falkland's,lol
Jul 03rd, 2014 - 09:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0@42
Jul 03rd, 2014 - 10:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Interesting comments/highlighted articles Steve.
“ Alicia Castro claimed that the Islanders would benefit from free universities and healthcare, as well as receiving profits from oil and gas taken from the area...'”
Does she know the expression, 'shutting the door after the horse has bolted?'
What an idiot!
Someone ought to tell her that thanks to FIG , The Islanders already benefit from free university education and healthcare and a portion of the money from the oil and gas exploration!!
So what's new?
“”Taiana said he “never went and will never go” to the Falklands because Argentine passports must be stamped once arriving in the Islands“”...
Jul 03rd, 2014 - 11:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And who cares if the idiot won't go to the Falklands ?? And I'm pretty sure that the Kelpers don't want him there anyway...what a turd !!
59 Pete Bog
Jul 03rd, 2014 - 11:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0All that may be so but at the moment we don't get to be forced to speak Spanish, drive on the right or have thugs tell us how to vote. We can't have everything under a British system!
@61 Joe
Jul 04th, 2014 - 04:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And how selfish of me not to consider how exciting FIGAS (MIGAS?) flights would be in ancient Argentine aircraft when bits come off the wings in flight, flown by pilots with moustaches so big they can't see ahead and when Dowling (I believe he is still alive) is installed as governor.
Also, instead of bonfire night, November 5th will be celebrated by the whole of Stanley waterfront being full of burning tyres, and striking Argentine staff who complain that the Falklands are too cold.
And imagine how good holidays and shopping will be when you have Pesos instead of pounds-magic.
62 Pete Bog
Jul 05th, 2014 - 11:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I can see it now. All of a sudden everywhere you went in Stanley there'd be fat lazy grease-ball deadbeats who seem surplus to requirements just telling you to pay them cash for everything or wait longer for service.
Imagine having the Peso. Everything would cost more each day.
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