Oooh Ah Cantona say Oooh ah (President) Cantona

So former professional football player Eric Cantona wishes to run for President of France. He is currently seeking the required amount of signatures to be endorsed so he can move on with his campaign.

"The footballer, who would need the backing of 500 elected officials by the end of February to run, has sent a letter to French mayors describing himself as an "engaged citizen" and asking for their support.

"This engagement obliges me to speak, more earnestly than usual, but also with a keen sense of my responsibility, at a time when our country faces difficult choices which will be decisive for its future," said the letter.

In his letter, printed in the Liberation newspaper, Cantona denounced the limited opportunities for young people in France and social injustices which were "too numerous, too violent, too systematic", the newspaper said."

But even if he was to get he five hundred signatures required, in April the first round finishes and from what I understand only two candidates go through to the next round.
   Then again if a former Hollywood actor was able to become President of the United States then who knows, perhaps a former footballer like Eric Cantona could go all the way. I must say I  am very interested in what his policies would be and what people's reaction to him will be.
   Time will tell.

And if his election campaign goes bad.....

Source:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9003925/Eric-Cantona-announces-bid-for-French-presidency.html

The Falklands row

Here is my input on the Falklands row and Argentina's claim to the Falklands.

First read this link

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/centreright/2010/02/oil-the-falkland-islands-and-international-law.html

Quote:

"The continental shelf of a coastal State comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles[/B] from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance"

It is worth noting, at this juncture, that the point of the Falkland Islands closest to Argentina lies some 300 miles (480 kilometres) from its coastline. "

And:

"Article 77, points one and four address the rights of Britain to drill for oil more closely:

"The coastal State exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources... The natural resources referred to in this Part consist of the mineral and other non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical contact with the seabed or the subsoil"

Article 81 continues:

"The coastal State shall have the exclusive right to authorize and regulate drilling on the continental shelf for all purposes"

This indicates Britain is well within it's rights.




I would like to point out that the mere geographical position of an island or group of islands does not mean that the mainland country nearest has more claim than another country.

Otherwise the French would be able to claim the Channel Islands.

I would also like to point out that at first when Argentina owned the Falklands it was whilst they were still under Spanish rule. They continued to hold it for a little while after their independence until the British regained control.

It is said it was discovered by John Strong, captain of the Welfare, in January 1690.
That along with the fact that technically Argentina didn't run it at first, Spain did using Argentina as their puppets, I doesn't see how Argentina can justify their claim to these islands.

Whilst it's true that international law might not officially acknowledge British sovereignty, Argentina does not have a credible claim to the islands.