Obama in Cartagena ahead of his speech to the Summit of the Americas
US President Barack Obama is known for his rhetoric and well-spoken ways. However, during a speech at the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, Obama mistakenly referred to the Falkland Islands as the Maldives, rather than Spanish name 'Malvinas'.
At the summit, in Cartagena, Colombia, The Daily Telegraph reported that Obama was referring to the hotly-disputed islands and the issue of their sovereignty, when he misspoke, calling them the Maldives.
The Maldives Islands are situated south of India, some 8,000 miles away from the Falklands, which are themselves located 300 miles off the coast of Argentina:
However, according to distancefromto.net, London is only around 200 miles closer to the Falkland Islands than the Maldives is.
The gaffe wasn't the only controversy at the summit.
Argentina president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner believed that the conference was a great chance to solidify support for her country's claim to the island, but, the Telegraph reports, left early after a declaration of support was not included in the summit's unsigned final document.
Kirchner was also upset that Colombia's president, Juan Manuel Santos, made no reference to the controversial islands in his speech.
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US President Barack Obama is known for his rhetoric and well-spoken ways. However, during a speech at the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, Obama mistakenly referred to the Falkland Islands as the M...
US President Barack Obama is known for his rhetoric and well-spoken ways. However, during a speech at the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, Obama mistakenly referred to the Falkland Islands as the M...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- In a bold move to gain control of Argentina's energy reserves, President Cristina Fernandez pushed forward a bill to renationalize the...
On 2 April, 1982, Argentina invaded The Falkland Islands, believing it had a historical right to re-claim the British protectorate, against the will of its pro-British citizens.
britain has backed america on many issue's in the past & in the present . president obama should show a little more respect to the british people & the british troops who gave there lives restoring it back to britain after the last unprovoked attack by argentina by calling the island the FALKLANDS as the people on the island wish to remain british argentina has no rights historically or other wise to these islands and were not interested in the FALKLANDS until oil & other resources were found there president obama should show a little more backbone and back a country that has backed his country many times
mamcgarva: britain has backed america on many issue's in the past
As it is actually called the Falkland islands and it does belong to UK, the gaffe is that he even had the audacity to refer to them as anything else. I thought the american were allies, but it seems I am wrong
kelfbk62: As it is actually called the Falkland islands and it
All that OIl in the Falklands could be a game changer , a second North Sea , and if we get it out could solve Britains problems .for now .
But the real reason is that if we keep the Falklands , it helps our claim on Antarctica , which will be immense if we ever need to develop it or not .
Its small change defending the Falklands , and if the Argies try anything again just watch Britain get behind the Flag ..................................... Our Enemies call it -------------------------------------" the Butchers Apron " ------------------For a reason
Auchtermuchty: All that OIl in the Falklands could be a game
If Argentina was claiming the right to occupy an island off the coast of the UK, we would think they are deranged. Yet some people in the UK think our soldiers are worth dying for an injustice. I wonder who is deranged?
mahontom: If Argentina was claiming the right to occupy an island
Argentina is actually quite a long way from the Falkland Islands and therefore it is not on its coast, Chlle is nearer to the Falklands than Argentina, but they know they belong to UK and have done for a long time. The Argies have never had a claim to the Falklands and never wanted it until oil and fish became a point for them. The Falklands is British, we defended it when it was illegally invaded and many of our men died, some of us are still grieving, so you my dear mahontom are the deranged one
kelfbk62: Argentina is actually quite a long way from the Falkland
About time we stopped thinking we are some colonial power and give the bloody place back. Give every family on the island a million pounds and invite them to live anywhere they like, we would still be saving money.
The price of defending the Falkland Islands is predicted to be at least £189 million over the next three years – with other undisclosed costs on top of that, according to defense minister Nick Harvey. Its already cost us about 2 billion, and I thought the uk was skint!
voice_of_reason2: About time we stopped thinking we are some colonial power
It wasn't a gaff. That's what the rest of the world calls them. Little Englanders haven't got much left to shriek about, apart from the Falklands and Gibraltar. Lots of other people living on islands considered themselves British too, but it didn't help them one bit.
brinberlin: It wasn't a gaff. That's what the rest of the
It was a gaffe because the spanish speaking call it malvinas, the english speaking call it falklands nobody calls them the Maldives though. It does show how much of the rest of the world cares too. EXcept south america they're going crazy for it.
Rhys_Ingles: It was a gaffe because the spanish speaking call it
If by "Englanders" you mean a media outlet who decides it speaks on behalf of the entire public then yes you're absolutely right. If by that you mean the actual public, you don't seem to realise that we either didn't notice, or simply did not care about this comment.
Collegedude92: If by "Englanders" you mean a media outlet who decides
Just over 30 years ago most people either haven't heard of the Falkland Islands or thought they were off the coast of Scotland. Some people were worried that when Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982 they were going to be as far south as Birmingham by tea time!
Sorry Mr. Obama but this is an Anglo-Argentinian problem and I suggest that you keep your mincies off the vast oil deposits that are supposed to be down there. At one time America's CIA was supporting the military junta in Argentina because of it's paranoia about 'Reds Under The Bed'. Wasn't that the same CIA who supported the Mujahadeen in Soviet occupied Afghanistan? Well they were very grateful - they demolished a couple of skyscrapers in New York and reduced the Pentagon to four sides as their way of saying 'thanks for your support'. The road to Hell is paved with the best intentions.
GingerlyColors: Just over 30 years ago most people either haven't heard
Argentina were the only Latin American country to contribute to the international effort to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein in 1991 (for which we were very grateful for their help). They sent two ships to the Gulf in support of our navies. I don't know if any Argentinian personal were killed or injured during the 1991 Gulf War which claimed few casualties amongst our allies. Argentina also contributes to various other NATO operations around the world but are not currently involved in Iraq or Afghanistan.
GingerlyColors: Argentina were the only Latin American country to contribute to
Did not know that and did some research and they also contributed to the Bosnian adventure. I still think Mr. Obama should be more careful disrespecting our British friends who have suffered along side many of our troops. Even if he is just trying to settle the situation down, he could learn to be a slight more discrete. To paraphrase him - words have consequences.
Bklein153: Did not know that and did some research and they
So first Sean Penn sticks his nose in where it doesn't belong (but at least made sure he kept the Argies happy by getting their name for the islands right), now Obama really manages to gaffe, upsetting the British by not calling them The Falklands, but also upsetting Latin America by getting their name for the place wrong!
They really like doing their homework, don't they, these "progressive" Americans!
Nathan0316: So first Sean Penn sticks his nose in where it
We must remember: there are few people living in the Falklands--or the Malvinas--but ALL of them consider themselves British citizens, and have no desire whatsoever to be annexed into Argentina. In this day and age, we like to pay attention to the thoughts and feelings of people who reside in certain areas. And we should.
Gregg_Matson: We must remember: there are few people living in the
British commentators don't understand that Obama needs Latino vote, but Latinos as well as other sizable minorities like Irish-Americans tend to be against Britain on Falkland Islands issue.
So really, Obama WAS sticking his neck out a bit, and probably recognizing that Romney could come after him had he voted with the vast Latin American majority.
If Obama had really wanted to be neutral, he would have excused himself from participating in the consensus call - but he did not. Obama did show that when push comes to shove, he vote in favour of the British position on the Falklands. But Britain was not at the Summit table - Canada was.
Canada's Prime MInister Harper would not have gone along with the Latin American countries on the Falklands vote even if was alone in his vote but probably said to Obama that unless Obama voted with him on the Falklands issue, Harper would not be with him on the Cuba vote, because Canada, like the UK, trade fully with Cuba and do not participate in the US embargo against Cuba. Canada is a Commonwealth member, and has shown itself to be onside with Britain on the Falklands issue. More than that, Canada is actively negotiating right now to get a free trade deal with the European Union - and it helps to have friends like EU member Britain to put in a good word for Canada.
JuanitoN: British commentators don't understand that Obama needs Latino vote, but
Remember, unlike all those 'fantastic' Latin American cease pools, the British are actually fighting and dying in OUR wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. So to any Hispanic who feels we should disrespect a long time friend so they can feel good about their pathetic homeland, tell their homeland to step up and actually help America and quit playing the jingoism game.
Oh and I am Irish American and I have never seen one Irish-American who felt Britain was incorrect with her claims on the Falklands. Where you ever got that from must be never-never land
Bklein153: Remember, unlike all those 'fantastic' Latin American cease pools, the
Even if he would've got the name right,the President would've been wrong anyway,as we know the name of the islands is ''Falklands''.I don't think the President would be too happy if the British Prime Minister visiting Mexico would refer to the Golden State as Alta California,its name before the American-Mexican war...
gianni_sermon: Even if he would've got the name right,the President would've
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The Huffington Post UK | By Charlie Lindlar Posted: 17/04/2012 11:18 Updated: 17/04/2012 11:28