Towards rapprochement? Anglo-Argentine relations and the Falklands/Malvinas in the late 1990s

This article argues that Britain and Argentina are now in a position to move towards unprecedented levels of political and economic cooperation concerning the governance of the Falklands and the surrounding seas. Since 1990, bilateral relations have been strengthened over issues such as fishing, oil and natural gas licensing communications and visits of the Argentine next-of-kin. It is argued that the Blair government has an opportunity not only to further the process of reconciliation but also to stimulate progress towards a permanent 'sovereignty umbrella'. Against this setting, there is some pressure on the Menem government to obtain some recognition of their interests and claim to the Falklands/Malvinas. The article concludes by asserting that all major parties should seek to generate a permanent cooperative structure which recognizes a measure of self-governance of the Falklands within a world increasingly characterized by supraterritorial and transborder relationships.