John Kerry Sails into a New Falklands Conflict in London

Time ^ | Feb 25, 2013 | Catherine Mayer

[Pan_Yan]

The FCO organizes press conferences like weddings, visitors on one side, hosts on the other, and inevitably the first question that came whistling from the British side of the aisle was about the Falklands’ planned March 10 to 11 referendum. Islanders will be asked, “Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom?” That they will answer with a resounding “Yes!” is not in doubt. That’s the sort of enthusiasm Brits wanted from Kerry too. Instead they got this:

Let me be very clear about our position with respect to the Falklands, which I believe is clear. First of all, I’m not going to comment, nor is the President, on a referendum that has yet to take place, hasn’t taken place. Our position on the Falklands has not changed. The United States recognizes de facto U.K. administration of the islands but takes no position on the question of parties’ sovereignty claims thereto. We support co-operation between U.K. and Argentina on practical matters.

[massgopguy]

I think Reagan backed off because of the Monroe Doctrine.

[MinuteGal]

I'm sure the Brits have Prince Harry at the ready, already.

Leni

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Camoron decommisioned the harriers back in 2010 so the RN currently has no fixed wing aircraft for its carriers. The new full-sized carriers currently being built will not be ready until the end of the decade at the earliest.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Camoron decommisioned the harriers back in 2010 so the RN currently has no fixed wing aircraft for its carriers. The new full-sized carriers currently being built will not be ready until the end of the decade at the earliest.

[USNBandit]

Two interesting developments occurred prior to the current Falklands impasse.

The first of course is that Madam Kirchner needs to distract her people from the disaster that is the Argentine economy.

The second is that the UK parked all of their Harriers and their albeit small carriers. They would be hard pressed to project air power to support a military defense of the Falklands.

[jpsb]

"They would be hard pressed to project air power to support a military defense of the Falklands.

I think they (the Brits) have an air base on the Falklands, I also think they have ground troops there as well.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Defence of the Falklands is quite strong. 4 Eurofighters, 1,000 troops and a destroyer/frigate is always in the area, plus there is the capacity to reinforce rapidly by air in less than 24 hours.
The defence has to be strong, because, as you already suggest, there isn’t much scope for getting them back if the Argies did somehow overcome the Island’s defences with their archaic, obsolescent and poorly-trained military...

[Hot Tabasco]

he got lost in London Zoo, recounted Kerry, a touch misty-eyed. He wanted to thank the person who found him.

I'd rather kick his ass for not throwing Kerry into the lion compound.....

[Jack Hammer]

This guy has really found a home in the Obama administration; waffling non-answer on a key question of highest import to our closest ally.

There is, quite literally, NOTHING that Obama and his idiot minions cannot f*ck up - and do.

It’ll be a miracle if the United States survives another four years of this ignorant jack*ss.

[jttpwalsh]

SSBN

[justrepublican]

Clearly he is in his right to demonstrate he can act stupid in a long winded way.

[9YearLurker]

Absolutely. Hill must be pinching herself daily that this doofus is trying to fill her heels now at state.

[Lion Den Dan]

Sounds like John F.in Kerry who served in Viet Nam has been into Teresa’s gin soaked raisins.

[Pan_Yan]

SSBN

Chicken of the sea. We hide with pride. What about them?

[DoodleDawg]

Let me be very clear about our position with respect to the Falklands, which I believe is clear. First of all, I’m not going to comment, nor is the President, on a referendum that has yet to take place, hasn’t taken place. Our position on the Falklands has not changed. The United States recognizes de facto U.K. administration of the islands but takes no position on the question of parties’ sovereignty claims thereto. We support co-operation between U.K. and Argentina on practical matters.

A man who can state this administrations position as clearly as that should probably be the press secretary rather than Secretary of State. </sarcasm>

[Pan_Yan]

Two interesting developments occurred prior to the current Falklands impasse.

There might be a third:

Falkland's oil discovery 'commercially viable', says explorer Borders & Southern as update boosts shares

The Telegraph January 28, 2013

[Pan_Yan]

Hill must be pinching herself daily that this doofus is trying to fill her heels now at state.

I doubt she's all that suprised. Remember this doofus was not that far away from making Bush 43 a one term President.

[haffast]

Camoron decommisioned the harriers back in 2010 so the RN currently has no fixed wing aircraft for its carriers. The new full-sized carriers currently being built will not be ready until the end of the decade at the earliest.

"Camoron" has his hands full:

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari held peace talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday which for the first time featured top spy chiefs."

Trilateral peace talks in Britain to send clear message to the Taliban - Monday, 04 February 2013
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2985095/posts

[trotskylvalia]

One of Kerry’s friends died in North Vietnam concentration camp.

He fell off guard tower. \o/

[Pan_Yan]

One of Kerry’s friends died in North Vietnam concentration camp. He fell off guard tower. \o/

Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark.