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For Immediate Release 14th June 2012
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The Falklands War and Britain's Enduring Obligation
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Britain marks the thirtieth anniversary of the end of the Falkands War today, with ceremonies in Port Stanley commemorating the 255 UK servicemen who lost their lives in the 74 day conflict over the Islands. Prime Minister David Cameron used the occasion to reemphasize his government's support for the people of the Falkland Islands in their wish to remain British. "For the last 180 years, ten generations have called the Falkland Islands home and have strived hard to secure a prosperous future for their children. And despite the aggressive threats from over the water, they are succeeding." The Falklands government also recently announced its plans to hold a referendum in the early part of next year on whether or not to remain British, in an apparent bid to belie continuing Argentine claims of sovereignty over the Islands.
Dr. Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of The Henry Jackson Society, said today:
"The Falklands have served as a lasting reminder that Britain's role as a leading military power is inextricable from her insistence on the right to self-determination of all peoples. Despite Argentina's claims to these islands, the people who inhabit them have consistently voiced their desire to remain a part of Britain and so long as they do, our government has a moral and political obligation to protect them."
Alan Mendoza
Founder and the Executive Director
He directs analysis, research focus, strategy and development for the organisation. In the wider political world, Alan is the Founder and President of the Disraelian Union, a London-based progressive Conservative think-tank and discussion forum, and has worked to develop relationships and ideas between political networks in the United Kingdom, United States and Europe. He is also Chief Advisor to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Transatlantic & International Security and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Homeland Security, a Board Member of the British-American Project, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Electric Infrastructure Security Council, and of Bright Blue. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Alan is a frequent speaker at high-profile national and international events and conferences. He has a B.A. and M.Phil in History at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and a Ph.D. at the same institution focusing on Anglo-American relations during the Bosnian War, 1992-1995.
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