Roger Waters criticizes Britain's Falklans Policy

Santiago de Chile, Chile (NTN24) -- British rocker Roger Waters voices support for demonstrating Chilean students and criticizes former British PM Margaret Thatcher's polices as tensions between the U.K. and Argentina intensify.

On tour in Chile, British rocker and founding member of British progressive rock band Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, voiced support for protesting Chilean students and criticized former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for polices that led to the Falklands War with Argentina.

The 68-year-old musician was in the South American country for two concerts this week on his "The Wall Live" tour.

Waters was the mastermind behind the 1979 double album "The Wall" which was a semi-autobiographical concept work that was digitally remastered and released last year with expanded artwork.

The album, in part, criticized the rigid British educational system with the famed lyrics, "We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control" from the track "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 1)."

Waters said he sympathizes with Chilean students who have been battling the government for education reform demanding improved education standards, lower university fees and cheaper bus passes from Chile's centre-right government.

"I gather its to do with a feeling that there is no equal opportunity for education in Chile, and that the educational system is elite. And so clearly I understand why young people in particular are protesting, because if there is one thing we should have equal access to, its education," Waters said.

Since March last year, students have staged more than 6,000 protests in their push for education reforms.

Students say the education system is profit-driven and provides poor instruction. Talks with the government have so far failed to bridge the divide.

The British singer-songwriter was also asked how he views on the increasing rift between his home country and Argentina as tensions rise before the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War approaches.

"But my view is certainly that it saved Margaret Thatcher's political career at the time at the cost of a great many Argentine and British lives which disgusted me then and still does now. But I was never a huge fan of Margaret Thatcher and her polices, so I don't know, it is a difficult situation," Rogers said.

Britain, led by Thatcher, and Argentina fought a 10-week war over the Falkland Islands in 1982 after Argentina invaded the South Atlantic archipelago, which the Argentines call Las Malvinas. The conflict claimed 900 lives.

Buenos Aires lays claim to the disputed South Atlantic islands, but London has refused to start talks on sovereignty with Buenos Aires unless the 3,000 islanders want them.

Waters performed nine shows in Buenos Aires as part of the tour and will perform at Santiago's National Stadium Friday (March 2) and Saturday (March 3).
Santiago de Chile, Chile (NTN24) -- British rocker Roger Waters voices support for demonstrating Chilean students and criticizes former British PM Margaret Thatcher's polices as tensions between the U.K. and Argentina intensify.

On tour in Chile, British rocker and founding member of British progressive rock band Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, voiced support for protesting Chilean students and criticized former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for polices that led to the Falklands War with Argentina.

The 68-year-old musician was in the South American country for two concerts this week on his "The Wall Live" tour.

Waters was the mastermind behind the 1979 double album "The Wall" which was a semi-autobiographical concept work that was digitally remastered and released last year with expanded artwork.

The album, in part, criticized the rigid British educational system with the famed lyrics, "We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control" from the track "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 1)."

Waters said he sympathizes with Chilean students who have been battling the government for education reform demanding improved education standards, lower university fees and cheaper bus passes from Chile's centre-right government.

"I gather its to do with a feeling that there is no equal opportunity for education in Chile, and that the educational system is elite. And so clearly I understand why young people in particular are protesting, because if there is one thing we should have equal access to, its education," Waters said.

Since March last year, students have staged more than 6,000 protests in their push for education reforms.

Students say the education system is profit-driven and provides poor instruction. Talks with the government have so far failed to bridge the divide.

The British singer-songwriter was also asked how he views on the increasing rift between his home country and Argentina as tensions rise before the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War approaches.

"But my view is certainly that it saved Margaret Thatcher's political career at the time at the cost of a great many Argentine and British lives which disgusted me then and still does now. But I was never a huge fan of Margaret Thatcher and her polices, so I don't know, it is a difficult situation," Rogers said.

Britain, led by Thatcher, and Argentina fought a 10-week war over the Falkland Islands in 1982 after Argentina invaded the South Atlantic archipelago, which the Argentines call Las Malvinas. The conflict claimed 900 lives.

Buenos Aires lays claim to the disputed South Atlantic islands, but London has refused to start talks on sovereignty with Buenos Aires unless the 3,000 islanders want them.

Waters performed nine shows in Buenos Aires as part of the tour and will perform at Santiago's National Stadium Friday (March 2) and Saturday (March 3).