Quote Originally Posted by MMI View Post
Is it right that a colonial power can remove the entire population from one of its possessions for simply militaristic reasons, and not even pay any significant compensation?
Depends on your point of view. If you're one of those being dispossessed, then obviously it's wrong. If you're one of those who are benefitting from it, then obviously it's right!

I'm sure the British government felt it was necessary and important to build that naval base as a defense of it's citizens. You know, all those citizens who lived on the island. Since the colonials area part of the empire, then obviously they too benefit from having a naval base, even if they have to leave the island.

I, for one, am not surprised that the House of Lords ruled the takeover to be legal. I would be shocked if at least some of them did not benefit, probably financially, from the construction of the base. And the European courts may not do those people much good, either. Every government wants to reserve the right to control its territory. Stating that the British government cannot would be admitting that they cannot either.

For better or worse, this kind of thing has been going on ever since the first bureaucrat was cast out of Hell. It's not likely to change, either.