Yuku free message boards

MSR wrote:

---

Deflection from domestic problems. Blow hot air and look nationalistic and strong in the face of strikes and labour disputes and an asthmatic economy.

As for the sea voyage, I can think of no logical reason either, so I must conclude that:
a. there's something else influencing the decision that hasn't been reported
b. the report is inaccurate/misleading/lost in translation (in other words, half-interested journalist got wrong end of short stick)

The is of course a practical consideration in forcing the Argentinians to make a sea voyage rather than a direct flight: reducing the number attendees at the memorial dedication, thus reducing the probability of an embarrassing public protest. It is reasonable to suppose that the families of the Argentinian dead might have a pro-Malvinas political agenda, which brings with it the chance for a disruptive protest. It would be easier to deal with a few dozen protesters, who've made a long and expensive sea voyage, than hundreds who've been flown in quickly and cheaply.

MSR wrote:

---

It occurs to me to add that various nations around the world currently view Brit-bashing as a valid tactic to get some air time in international media, especially if they are a former colony or can claim that part of their God-given territory is currently colonised by the evil British. The most obvious offender is Mugabe, and his reasons for blaming Britain for everything from the price of grain to the bad smell from manure are very obvious - which is why only the African nations with a vested interest in not seeing a fellow African leader deposed (sets a nasty precedent!) have supported him.

Combine Britain's colonial legacy with its highly visible, if relatively modest, current global military presence and you have an easy target for dictators and demagogues. Perhaps British imperialism was the original cause of many of the world's current conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia, but the modern UK is simply a tax haven for the world's wealthy and a major financial center, not a great military or industrial power. In short, Britain garners more than it's fair share of unfounded criticism from failed and oppressive regimes because of its historical role and current weakness; the UK can be libeled and defamed without fear of any form of retaliation. Mugabe, much like Idi Amin before him, knows that the UK is neither inclined or capable of removing him from power, but resorts to anti-British propaganda to scapegoat the failing of his own rule. Similarly, Mrs. Kirchner is reviving the Falklands issue to distract from attention from the farm strike caused by her own misguided economic policy of taxing exports - something that runs against the fundamental laws of economics.