Argentina criticises Britain over Falklands oil drilling
February 3rd, 2010 - 3:55 pm ICT by IANS ( 1 comment )Buenos Aires, Feb 3 (IANS/EFE) Argentina has criticised a plan by Britain to drill oil in the Falkland Islands.
Both countries have fought a brief war in 1982 for control of the islands that have been under British control since 1833.
The government “firmly rejects plans of the United Kingdom to authorise operations of exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in the area of the Argentine continental shelf under illegitimate British occupation,” the foreign ministry said in a letter to a British diplomat Tuesday.
“It is a violation of our sovereignty. Argentina’s position is very clear. The law is very firm and we will take all necessary steps to defend and preserve our rights,” Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said.
The foreign ministry said “this new British unilateral action” comes in addition to those that have take place earlier. In 2007, Buenos Aires repudiated a 1995 pact with Britain to cooperate on oil exploration in the Falklands, following a similar British action.
The letter was delivered to the British charge d’affaires in the absence of the ambassador. It urges the governments of Argentina and Britain to “renew negotiations in order to find a solution to the dispute as soon as possible”.
–IANS/EFE
snb/dg
- Argentina blocks supplies for oil exploration in Falklands - Feb 12, 2010
- Argentina protests British war games in Falkland Islands (Lead) - Oct 12, 2010
- Argentina protests British war games in Falklands - Oct 12, 2010
- Spanish firm to look for oil near Falklands - Feb 26, 2010
- Argentina takes Britain's oil drilling off Falklands island case to UN - Feb 25, 2010
- Oil exploration off Falklands turns up poor quality crude - Mar 30, 2010
- Britain to deploy warship in South Atlantic - Feb 01, 2012
- UN chief seeks to ease Falkland tensions - Feb 11, 2012
- US refuses to endorse British sovereignty in Falklands oil dispute - Feb 25, 2010
- Argentine oil firm made $3 bn investments in 2011 - Feb 09, 2012
- Britain to send n-sub on Falklands patrol - Feb 04, 2012
- How Israelis 'armed junta' in Falklands conflict revealed - Apr 21, 2011
- 10 cops charged in gang rape of teenaged boy - Jan 22, 2012
- Sarkozy stops of short of committing French help to UK over Falklands - Nov 03, 2010
- Argentina orders lowering of wholesale diesel prices - Jan 28, 2012
Tags: ambassador, british diplomat, british occupation, buenos aires, continental shelf, dg, efe, falkland islands, falklands oil, foreign minister, foreign ministry, hydrocarbons, jorge taiana, necessary steps, oil drilling, oil exploration, pact, snb, sovereignty, unilateral action
March 30th, 2010 at 3:45 am
The problem with Argentina’s position is that its concept of “the law” is based on the Argentine consitution that has no relevance to International law. There is no concept in International law that awards territorial rights based on continental shelves. Argentina recognises this and seeks “allies” with a view to creating a military capability able to defeat the UK armed forces. If they were willing to negotiate, they would have sat down with the Falkland Islanders and the British Government long before this. Instead they withdraw from agreements, rant and attempt to promote a regional conflict. If Argentina wants sovereignty over the Islanders and their country - forget it. Negotiations involving sharing of resources - possible if Argentina bears its share of the costs etc. Regional conflict - whilst details are not available, the general capabilities of the UK armed forces are a matter of public record. The best-equipped and professional army in the world. One of the best combat-capable aircraft in the world with professional aircrew and, at the end of the day, at least cruise missiles. I doubt the UK wants to go that far, but I doubt the British people will accept the abandonment of their compatriots.
Just as an aside, the rantings of that guy Chavez at our Sovereign are not acceptable. I recommend that Chavez apologises for his intemperate remarks. If he fails to do this, I recommend that he, like Hitler, is an individual the world can do without.
I also recommend that the peoples of South America make their governments aware of their feelings. Comments suggest that the majority of South American people favour negotiation without any claim to Falkland Islands territory. If neither the people, nor the military, support government propaganda, the situation can be resolved peacefully.