Favorite British Overseas Territory?

[DooMSireN]

No, not particularly, places like the U.K. Virgin Islands are just as good as anywhere that the U.S. controls..

[Antonio227]

Originally Posted by Lostboy

Talking to Ultra-Nationalistic Argentines, in an attempt to have an even natured discussion about a war that both sides should get over - a complete waste of time, I have not seen even one of them concede any point that would imply anything negative at all about their homelands conduct (not neccessarily about the claim itself, but even in the way in which it has decided to conduct its claim, or in the right and self-determination of the islanders to decide its fate).

It has been said many times that the vast majority of the people here think that the war was stupid and wrong. However, they believe in the justice of the claim.

I, personally, wouldn’t have any problem with the auto determination of the islanders, if they accept some sort of argentine sovereignty. I wouldn’t like that they declare “independence”, but in the practice being a puppet state. A puppet state of multinational enterprises, or extra-continental powers.

The last thing that South America needs is balkanization.

[DooMSireN]

Originally Posted by Antonio227

I, personally, wouldn’t have any problem with the auto determination of the islanders, if they accept some sort of argentine sovereignty. I wouldn’t like that they declare “independence”, but in the practice being a puppet state. A puppet state of multinational enterprises, or extra-continental powers.

So you would like a colony, like many of you're country men say in a negative way towards us because we respect democracy and apparantly, you don't. I don't care about rules or what happened 250 years ago or whatever but I do care what happens now and that wouldn't be right under todays standards, surely?

Also, before you throw it back in my face, I do realise Britain was not exactly diplomatic with regards to colonies in the past, but now we are but apparently you arn't. We gave back Hong Kong when they voted to be a part of PRC and we would sure as hell give the Falklands to Argentina should the islanders want it, but they don't, so fuck off.

[Antonio227]

Originally Posted by DooMSireN

So you would like a colony,

No, not a colony. A bi-national sovereignty system. Or something similar to Scotland/UK, Quebec/Canada. With total protection for the rights of the islanders, regarding their own internal matters. Renowable by referendum, in 20-25 years.

[ReddAlert]

Originally Posted by Eber Luduena

"Petea....Pan? At last, your time has come."

[DooMSireN]

Originally Posted by Antonio227

No, not a colony. A bi-national sovereignty system. Or something similar to Scotland/UK, Quebec/Canada. With total protection for the rights of the islanders, regarding their own internal matters. Renowable by referendum, in 20-25 years.

But if the islanders disagree to that then...

a) fuck them you're going to force it upon them
b) fair enough we'll leave it as it is and how they want it

you're choice...

[DooMSireN]

Originally Posted by ReddAlert

"Petea....Pan? At last, your time has come."

[Antonio227]

Originally Posted by DooMSireN

But if the islanders disagree to that then...

a) fuck them you're going to force it upon them
b) fair enough we'll leave it as it is and how they want it

you're choice...

It is in our constitution that the solution of Malvinas situation MUST be peaceful. In other words, by diplomatic ways.

In the end, I think that we can’t force them. If they don’t like us, there is nothing to do. In XXI century, it is impossible to justify forced exile/domination of people.

[DooMSireN]

Well then, why does Argentina not leave it as it is and stop complaning about it. If its in your constitution then I really do not see why so many Argantines call us Pirates and Theives. Maybe they are just the retards among your nation, much like every nation has. If the British government would do a poll for Falkland Islanders now, asking what they wanted, would that shut people up about the whole issue?

You have to realise people in Britain no longer care for having more land, we simply are defending the people's rights. This is the general public's point of view. Maybe the government's is slightly different, in that they may want the oil reserved that may or may not exist in the Falklands. But then surely the reason for Argentinian government would be largely for the same reason?

Though, what you have said is the most sensible thing i've heard from an Argantinian on this matter in quite a long time.

[Antonio227]

Cultural stereotypes have a strong inertia. In a few years, surely the things will improve.

I have to go now. Good night.

[DooMSireN]

Yeah good night mate, its like 3:45 here and im blood knackered

[Jonesy55]

Originally Posted by aquablue

I'm sorry, British Overseas Terr. pale in comparison to the remarkably beautiful and glorious US territories/states (non lower 48) - i.e, hawaii, alaska, solomans, peurto rico, USVI, etc. As a matter of fact, your mother country and capital city has little on the USA's, and london's architecture is no match for NY's, as most of it was destroyed in WWII. I'm sorry for that.

1. Alaska and Hawaii are a part of the US, not territories of the US.

2. Since when have the Solomon Islands been a US territory?????? They are an independent country that achieved independence from the UK in 1978. The British Queen is still the head of state!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Islands

3. The USVI are rather unsuprisingly quite similar to the UKVI!



4. While the US is obviously a great country and NYC is a great city, there are plenty of things here that are better than in the states and most of London's architecture wasn't destroyed in WWII, there are thousands of wonderful buildings all over the capital that date back way way way before then. There is also lots of great modern architecture all over. I would say it is a match for NYC.

[samsonyuen]

I'd say Bermuda, or one of the other Caribbean territories. I say give Turks & Caicos to Canada, and take back Hong Kong, the best one ever.

[tayser]

Where's Australia? We eat all of the above for breakfast then shit on them two fold.

( )

The Australian constitution act still to this day remains an act of Westminster, if this were the 1980s, you could claim Canada as well.

me0w.

[clarky]

Originally Posted by tayser

Where's Australia? We eat all of the above for breakfast then shit on them two fold.

( )

The Australian constitution act still to this day remains an act of Westminster, if this were the 1980s, you could claim Canada as well.

me0w.

You should give christmas island back uk


thats not me

[Newcastle Guy]

Interesting thread

I have just been reading up about our overseas territories, I didn't know that we had such nice islands I also read an article/blog thing that said Ascension Island would make a perfect spaceport.

I voted for the Cayman islands, but I hope that I can visit alot of our overseas territories in the future so that I'm not just judging from pics.

[Manchester Planner]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Guy

Interesting thread

I have just been reading up about our overseas territories, I didn't know that we had such nice islands I also read an article/blog thing that said Ascension Island would make a perfect spaceport.

Shusssh! That's why we're keeping sovereignty of all these tiny islands near the equator - space elevator construction...

[Pompey77]

It is interesting how a good idea for a thread such as this can be hijacked in such an extreme way.

Anyway.

There is a real problem in this country with ignorance of our overseas territories; their problems, cultures and political status. The Falklands war did a lot to highlight the diplomatic issues that arise from our territories, significantly the Falklands and Gibraltar but they are probably the only territories most people know about. As a result of the general lack of understanding over the territories there is also an ignorance of the injustices that have occurred in relation to them, of which these are a few examples I am aware of:

• The forced removal of the entire population of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) for the construction of the US base and the continued failure of the British government to recognise their right to return despite numerous high court victories for the islanders.
• The denial of automatic rights of full British citizenship.
• The denial of any form of rights of abode for citizens of Ascension (apparently due to pressure applied by the US military) sparking fears of a repeat of the occurrences on BIOT.

I find it quite incredible that despite such outrageous mistreatment at the hands of the British government you would be hard pressed to find anyone who resides on any overseas territory that would support succession from British rule. It is for this reason of complete and unshakable loyalty, which I feel very strongly about, that i believe our territories deserve the utmost respect and support from both the British government and the people at large.

There is hope of the OT's receiving higher levels of interest. In this weeks St Helena Independent there was an interview with a journalist and documentary writer Jon Beasant who is visiting the island to research a new TV documentary series entitled 'Orphans of Empire' which will be presented by Clive Anderson, directed by Roger Pike and Brian Cotter and will give one episode to tell the stories of each of the territories. No word on when it will come out or who has commissioned it thou.

[Pompey77]

oh and Newcastle Guy id really advise you to visit St Helena if you can. Its not easy to do - it takes time and its not cheap but it really is worth it. For such a small island it has an incredible wealth of history and natural beauty and a wonderfully close community. My grandmother was born there so it has always held a certain mysteek for me. When i first visited two years ago it blew my mind it was more incredible than i could have imagined, however many photos id looked at. Im now planning to go back with my gran this year, she hasnt been back for nearly 70 years, neither she or i can wait. It really has gripped me in quite a profound way, bit odd really, but there you go its a wonderful place.

[Manchester Planner]

Originally Posted by Pompey77

It is interesting how a good idea for a thread such as this can be hijacked in such an extreme way.

Eh?? It's actually quite a valid comment if you knew anything about space elevator construction. They would need to be built as close to the equator as possible for the top end to be in geostationary orbit.

The BOTs are not being kept under British sovereignty just for the hell of it. They have strategic value to the UK. Be it as naval bases, air force bases or for resources (Falklands = oil). In the future I would not be surprised if islands in the mid-Atlantic are the first to be used as space elevator sites!