ARA General Belgrano, which was sunk during the Falklands War 

• I HAVE always regarded that long-ago Falklands conflict as the only indisputably just war in my lifetime.

A couple of your correspondents still have moral qualms, however, which perhaps I can try in a few words to dispel.

Robert Ilson wonders whether our right to rescue the Falkland Islanders in 1982 was “vitiated” by our abandonment of the Chagos Islanders in 1967, (Double standards with Chagos Islands, Letters, May 21).

Yes, certainly, but only if a nation, having once done wrong, must never do right. Would he argue, for instance, that because Germany treated refugees badly in 1940 it had no business treating them well in 2015?

Geoffrey Thomas (Two bald men fighting over a comb, Letters, May 21) questions what benefits the war brought either people.

For the Argentinians it caused the overthrow of a military tyranny and the relative freedom and personal security they enjoy to this day.

For the British inhabitants of the islands it perpetuated their liberty, allegiance and way of life. Not a bad outcome from three weeks of battle.

If wars are ever justified, this one was.

MARTIN R MALONEY
N3