South Georgia celebrated on 17 January "Possession Day"

South Georgia celebrated on 17 January “Possession Day”

Friday, February 2nd 2018 - 19:49 UTC

Full article 4 comments

On 17th January 1775 a small party of men landed on a beach beneath snowy peaks and tumbling glaciers. In charge was an officer by the name of James Cook; the British Flag was planted, a volley of musket shot was fired, and the land was claimed for His Britannic Majesty. Cook named the bay in which he landed Possession Bay. On the 17th January 2018 (and every year) South Georgia marked ‘Possession Day’ with a bank holiday and reception at Government House. Read full article

Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

Clyde15
How can this be, the whole world knows that it belongs to Argentina !!!!!!!
Feb 02nd, 2018 - 08:50 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
-+
darragh
Clyde15

I'm sure that Argentina will take the matter to the ICJ any day now.......or maybe....
Feb 02nd, 2018 - 11:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
Brit Bob
Didn't Argentina inherit South Georgia from Spain?

'The fact remains that uti possidetis juris fails to square properly with the legal establishment of non-Hispanic states in the New World, as well as with the more recently evolved principle of decolonization and self-determination. Furthermore, save for the Latin American states, succession from the original Spanish rights has neither commanded widespread respect nor attracted international acceptance, either in practice or in principle. The dearth of contemporary legal appreciation for uti possidetis juris strongly suggests that it contributes only a modicum, if any, legal support to either Argentina's or Chile's assertion to valid title over claims in the Southern Ocean or Antarctica. In short, consideration of intertemporal law and factual conditions, especially the extent to which the territorial sovereignty of Spain was actually manifest in the Antarctic casts serious doubts about the legal propriety or validity of the uti possidetis argument today.' ('Antarctica and the Law of The Sea,' Joyner C,* Nijhoff, M Publishers, p59-60, 1992, quoting, 'Conflict of Sovereignties in Antarctica,' Yearbook of World Affairs, Daniel J, p 262-66, 1949; 'The American Antarctic,' American Journal of International Law,' p603, Hayton R.D., 1956; and 'Antarctic Law and Politics,' Auburn, F.M. P50, pub C Hurst 1982).

*Associate Professor of Political Science and Member of the School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington D.C.

To believe that the Falkland Islands and the territories in the Southern Ocean belong to Argentina because of the inheritance is incorrect. Falklands – Argentina's Inheritance Problem (1 pg): https://www.academia.edu/35194694/Falklands_Argentinas_Inheritance_Problem
Feb 03rd, 2018 - 10:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
Conqueror
“Inheritance” has NEVER been a legitimate or recognised method for a state to acquire territory. Moreover, “inheritance” requires recognised and accepted documentation. Argiland has none.

Argieland can, however, point to its “inherited” national characteristics. Fortunately, it's unlikely that any legal authority would accept a “claim” based on greed and attempted theft.
Feb 03rd, 2018 - 03:12 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
-+

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!