10-20-2020, 06:33 PM
Defence Secretary Edward Winter visited the Royal United Service Institution (independent defence and security think tank) today. There, he delivered a speech outlining his commentary and analysis of the present Falklands situation to the audience:
Quote:Ladies and gentlemen,My sincere thanks for receiving me today on these crucial times.When I took over as Secretary of State for Defence I envisioned a somewhat different tenure in office, one mostly preoccupied with setting a long-term agenda concerning the necessary reform and strengthening of our armed forces, involving a relevant number of initiatives and/or decisions which are relevant to the future of Britain. Although those goals are still being worked upon, it is undeniable that my attention is now firmly on the rapidly evolving situation in the South Pacific, and more specifically, on the actions of the Argentinian government against the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.Let there be no doubt that even though this Government does not desire conflict or escalation, we will take every necessary step to defend ourselves and our men. Although, for obvious reasons, I cannot disclose sensitive details due to the nature of the present situation, I can say with full confidence that the Government, though the Ministry of Defence, has undertaken the necessary steps to ensure readiness and preparedness against further acts of aggression. A task force has been sent to the Falklands alongside other efforts to bolster our naval presence in the area. Our commanders have been contacted and consulted as to their needs. Our men have been given clear instructions, crafted through close cooperation from all the relevant areas of the Government. The Prime Minister has been a constant source of leadership and resolve, and I cannot state enough how encouraging it is to know she will lead us through this moment.Yesterday, Argentinian naval forces – including two modern destroyers - breached our exclusion zone with no regard for the consequences. They were repeatedly warned as to those consequences. Posing a clear danger to the Islanders and to the Armed Forces stationed in the Falkland Islands, it was decided by Cabinet that urgent action was required. Through the immense skill and bravery of our men, an Argentinian destroyer was sunk and another one heavily damaged. Subsequently, all survivors were promptly rescued to avoid further loss of life and taken back to the Islands. In this we have exercised our right and duty to our self-defence against an unconscionable breach of our sovereignty, whilst following the necessary standards of humanitarian treatment. This nation, and I want to make this 100% clear, follows and respects the rule of law in peace and conflict alike.Perhaps the most ironic aspect of this whole situation, is the wilful ignorance on behalf of the Argentinian government of the current legal situation, as well of the self-evident rights of the United Kingdom and the Islanders regarding the Falkland Islands. An agreement was signed in Madrid two years ago re-establishing a diplomatic relationship between both our nations, a worthwhile goal. Although this agreement takes a number of relevant steps, including measures to avoid military confrontation – which the Ministry of Defence and the Government have abided by -, in no way does it prevent our nation from putting the valuable economic resources of the Falklands to good use..This Government, having a bold and ambitious economic strategy, has decided to exploit those resources for the sake and the prosperity of the British people. This, in turn, has led to the resulting Argentinian aggression: expelling our Ambassador, breaching the Exclusion Zone not only with drilling vessels, but warships as well, and generally putting our brave men in clear danger. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you in sincerity: what self-respecting government would not react strongly against this kind of behaviour? What self-respecting government would lift its arms in the air and yell surrender? What self-respecting government would not pursue every avenue to ensure the safety of the Islanders and the brave men of our Armed Forces?My friends, as you well know, the United Kingdom is not a belligerent nation. We do not look for excuses to fight. We act in strict obedience and respect for international law. We believe, as most nations believe, in that wonderful maxim from Shakespeare’s Henry V: That “in peace, there’s nothing so becomes a man, as modest stillness and humility.” But although we did not look for this conflict, we have been forced into one through the sheer recklessness and renewed aggression from the Argentinian government, who once again has decided it can try and bully this island nation into submission and surrender of a territory which is rightfully and lawfully British. And just like Henry V – through Shakespeare – spoke of the immense virtues of peace, so he stated that “when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.”There will be, as in any conflict, a number of nay-sayers. There will be those who may place ambition before country. There will be those whose reaction may be more in line with what two successive Argentinian governments have expected of Britain. But this Government, a strong, self-respecting government, will not shirk from its duty. Our fellow Islanders have a right to live in peace, harmony and prosperity. Britain and its people have a right to exploit the natural resources located in the Falkland Islands, and to subsequently prosper through their use.Sadly, this is a somewhat familiar situation to be in. There appears to be a deep seated belief among a number of foreign politicians, all too keen to distract their people from their own failings, that Britain’s resolve can be tested with success. That we, for some reason difficult to ascertain, are simply prepared to give up on our own people and our own land without a complaint. A curious and dangerous belief that all it takes for Britain to give up, is to commit an act of aggression. These gentlemen decided to test our collective resolve as a nation back in 1982. They failed. New gentlemen, perhaps not so different from the old, have decided to test our resolve as a nation once again. And they will fail again.
Rt. Hon. Edward Winter MP - Conservative and Unionist Party
Member of Parliament for Ashford (1987 - Present)
First Secretary of State (1992 - Present)
Secretary of State for Defence (1992 - Present)
XP: 1 / Issue Champion (Falklands)
Member of Parliament for Ashford (1987 - Present)
First Secretary of State (1992 - Present)
Secretary of State for Defence (1992 - Present)
XP: 1 / Issue Champion (Falklands)