Sean Penn: Prince William's Falklands Deployment Is 'Unthinkable'

Julianbrazier

First Posted: 15/02/2012 13:20 Updated: 15/02/2012 14:28

Sean Penn has renewed his attack on Britain for its refusal to enter negotiations with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, this time criticising the decision to send Prince William to the territory.

Speaking in Uruguay, the Hollywood actor said it was insensitive of London to allow the prince to serve a tour of duty in the region as a search and rescue pilot.

"It's unthinkable that the United Kingdom can make a conscious decision to deploy a prince within the military to the Malvinas knowing the great emotional sensitivity both of mothers and fathers in the United Kingdom and in Argentina who lost sons and daughters in a war of islands with a population of so few," he said, using the Argentinian name for the islands.

On Monday Penn said of the dispute: "The world today cannot tolerate ridiculous demonstrations of colonialism. The way of dialogue is the only way to achieve a better solution for both nations."

Commenting on condemnation of his remarks in the UK he added today: "My oh my, aren't people sensitive to the world colonialism, particularly those who implement colonialism."

On Wednesday the Commons defence committee confirmed MPs would be visiting the Falkland Islands this year in order to inspect the military facilities on the islands.

Flag Burning
1  of  9
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
Following British plans to drill for oil just off the Falkland Islands in early 2010, protesters burned the British flag outside the Foreign Ministry building in Buenos Aires. Latin American and Caribbean nations supported Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the islands.
FOLLOW HUFFPOST UK POLITICS

Sean Penn has renewed his attack on Britain for its refusal to enter negotiations with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, this time criticising the decision to send Prince William...
Sean Penn has renewed his attack on Britain for its refusal to enter negotiations with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, this time criticising the decision to send Prince William...
Filed by Ned Simons  | 
 
 
  • Comments
  • 1,169
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (32 total)
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
03:59 AM on 02/22/2012
I think it's funny when Americans criticize Sean Penn about his anti-colonialism views and at the same time celebrate 4th of July.
04:54 PM on 02/19/2012
Sean who?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
03:57 AM on 02/22/2012
Penn. Can't you read?
10:44 AM on 02/18/2012
Prince William is search and rescue the only thing Americans are jealous of is that we can do a good job and sort things out ie, the Falklands conflict, the Embassy hostage crissis in London. Look at their record, years and years of fighting and nothing is ever sorted out. Keep watching their movies it looks a whole lot better. "America saves the world again" pmsfl
02:25 AM on 02/18/2012
Why do actors think they have the right to 'share' their thoughts with the world....all the time!
It is sad that they believe they are so important that we want to hear their every thought.
jerryatthebeach
Till Death Do You Barrier Island...
01:51 AM on 02/18/2012
We were at war with the Falklands in 1982. This isn't the first time there have been problems with this troubeled nation...
jdogmyers4
You leftist know I'm right
12:39 AM on 02/18/2012
Sean penn is this not the guy that almost killed his childrens nannie and I belive that she is from the Falkland Islands.
11:44 PM on 02/17/2012
Nobody would not have given it a thought about William being there if Penn hadnt opened his big mouth. What has it got to do with him anyway
07:37 PM on 02/17/2012
The Brits have as much right to the Falklands as anyone as the original inhabitants were English because the Americans killed all the inhabitants before that in 1820 who were Spanish. If the Americans had not done that it would still be Spanish. It was the French who called the Islands Malvinas not the Spanish and they kept passing hands until the British had built a settlement there. This is the point if the Argentineans had not come marching into the Falklands (named after a British naval officer) and bombarded the British Marine barracks with phosphorous grenades who only used to go there to train it would not have blown up out of proportion. They frightened the Falklanders to death doing this why?? A son of a friend of my mothers had to dodge Argentian warships when this happened they were on an unarmed science vessel. What was all that about?? Are they going to do this to Antartica destroy a british science team there?
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
This comment has been removed.
04:55 PM on 02/16/2012
Why are these daft countries always burning flags?There are no demonstrations or flags burnings here in Britain but they can be sure their bluster will be met with resolve if need be.
12:18 AM on 02/17/2012
No flag burning in Britain - Wishful thinking.
This comment has been removed.
04:37 PM on 02/16/2012
O come on he is ONLY an actor who`s getting on a bit who`s roles are drying up and needs something to do.
04:18 PM on 02/16/2012
Wait until Sean Penn realises that Britain still has an interest in French possessions. He'll probably decide the Channel Islands should lose their independence and revert to French rule!
photo
gimmeanamethen
saying it like it is
09:20 PM on 02/17/2012
sean penn wouldn't be interested he has already had the fallen madonna with the big boobies
03:47 PM on 02/16/2012
Who cares what he says or thinks, he's an actor who has nothing original to say unless someone else has written it for him.
04:43 PM on 02/16/2012
Here! Here! If you listen to just about any actor being interviewed, you soon realise that the only time they make sense is when they're reading from a script.