Tuesday, February 16th 2010 - 19:30 UTC

Argentina demands prior approval for vessels sailing to Falklands

The Argentine government made public Tuesday a decree that requires prior approval for ships sailing between Argentina and the Falkland Islands. The approval will be needed for vessels travelling “or carrying goods directly or indirectly” between the mainland and the Islands, announced cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez during a press conference at Government House.

Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez making the announcement

“We must make take these decisions in the defence of Argentina’s interests” that include sovereignty and natural resources, said Fernández. He added that Britain contrary to repeated United Nations reiterated declarations has “insisted in unilateral actions” ignoring the non innovation principle while the dispute is on.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions with the United Kingdom as several oil companies prepare to drill exploratory wells to the north and south of the Falklands based on licences awarded by the Falklands elected government

Last week the Argentine government detained a British flag cargo vessel which was loading seamless pipes, allegedly for Egypt, since the vessel had called on the Falklands/Malvinas with no Argentine government authorization.

The decree signed by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner states that “all vessels trying to transit between Argentine continental ports and Islands’ ports, or cross Argentine maritime spaces heading to a port in the Islands must request prior authorization from the Argentine government”.

To enforce the decree the cabinet chief office will create “a commission made up with representatives from the Ministries of Planning, Justice, Economy and Foreign Affairs, that will coordinate actions to implement the decree”.

The cabinet chief said that faced with the exploration for hydrocarbons in the Falklands/Malvinas maritime spaces, the Argentine government “has insisted in all world forums about the need to adjust to multilateralism and UN resolutions”.

“The UK has repeatedly confirmed its negative to abide by UN General Assembly resolutions which recognizes the existence of a sovereignty matter which demands negotiations. The UK has ignored the resolution not to innovate, which has been evidenced in the successive episodes of natural resources exploration”, added Fernandez.

Although the purpose of the latest decree as had been anticipated by Argentine authorities is clearly geared to discourage oil companies from exploring in Falklands waters by limiting the logistics and creating a sense of “lack of legal security”, it is consistent with the Kirchners policy towards the Falkland Islands dispute.

There are no direct maritime links between the Falklands and Argentina but foreign flagged fishing vessels did operate on both sides until Buenos Aires passed legislation, which forced fishing companies to opt, with severe sanctions for those companies that “directly or indirectly” retained business operations in the Islands.

The current decree based on the same spirit could also potentially have a great impact on the cruise business since most South Atlantic itineraries include Argentine ports, mainly Ushuaia, gateway to Antarctica and the Falklands.

If the decree is fully applied and the “special committee” turns out to be “lazy” or “particularly distracted” in extending authorizations for cruise vessels to navigate in the South Atlantic and call in the Falklands, the consequences could be serious for the whole industry.

On the other hand., when Argentina is attempting to return to voluntary money markets, and must reach an agreement with pending bond holders and the Club of Paris, (a multilateral government-to-government financial organization that helps bail out developing countries with soft loans), the political move is not particularly attractive, even when the nationalistic chord of a weak government will have a big echo domestically.

 

39 comments Feed

Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.

1 gdr (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 08:05 pm Report abuse
..just domestic lines services .
not have relevance with Republic of England .
2 islander (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 08:34 pm Report abuse
They seem to forget that they tried a similar one with cruise vessels a few years ago- result was the big international cruise lines simply said -OK-Falklands is the big attraction on the route, so we will miss out Argentine ports like Buenos Aires and Ushuaia - result - Argentina quietly forgot about it! The same will happen with this one.<br /><br />
3 owl (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 08:51 pm Report abuse
malvinas' penguen population is 3.250 [ 0.26/sq.km. ]
4 lola (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 09:16 pm Report abuse
islander, what are you smoking??
5 nitrojuan (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 09:31 pm Report abuse
jajaja.. excelent new! thats the way !! Islander still living in your own virtual country... cruises dont need the stupid stop in Malvinas, they can do: BA, Pt.Madryn, Ushuaia & Antarctica without Malvinas.
Malvinas will be like Cuba ! Kelpers Please Change Your Minds !
6 islander (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 10:11 pm Report abuse
nitro, it so happend last time your side tried it, the cruise industry decided they did not need Argentine ports! That was a fact and it happened - so Argentina rapidly and quietly dropped it! You are on dodgy ground anyway - already one big company has pulled out of the area - why - because they are fed up with being ripped off by US$80 tax per passeneger in Argentine ports - and that is extra on top of all the ship port charges. Others are looking at doing their midsummer container resupply here in the Islands as they are fed up with all the bribes amd dollars into backpockets they have to pay port officials every time in the so called “freeport” of Ushuaia. As soon as Chile improves its port and airport facilities in the Beagle Channel Ushuaia will have serious competition and a problem. <br />
There are attraction for tourists that we have and you dont. There are others that you have and we dont. Thats why the cruise vessels like both places if possible - and why both of us should be co-operating to build more tourism for both our benefit(and doing it seperate to either of our claims). Same with the oil drilling - Arg could be earning millions as the natural nearby country with an oil infrastructure supply base and workforce. Instead your isolation attitude just means all that money goes to other countries and not to you! The same if oil is ever found commercially - Argentina would be the natural base for refineries etc and billions of income - but I guess you will throw that chance away as well to another country.
7 Carl (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 10:57 pm Report abuse
Islander, as a Shetlander I would ask why you need any infrastructure in Argentina in the first place?

I can see that it would be politically better if Argentina was on board, but Europe's largest oil terminal is actually in the Shetland Islands, along with the necessary base facilities.

Develop your own facilities. If the FIG owns the land they’re built on they can charge rent. Likewise if the FIG owns the jetties they can levy a charge for every barrel of oil that flows over them. Finally, all port and harbour operations should be dealt with by the FIG – again it’s another income flow based upon each tanker movement. In broad terms this is how it works in Shetland.

It seems to me that relying on the support of temperamental Argentines isn’t a prudent course of action.

I would suggest that the workforce to man these facilities could be brought in by connecting flights, and an upshot of this is that over time more people would settle in the Falklands.

The benefits, in terms of local population increases, infrastructure development etc. would be substantial. On the other side of the coin, some of these social changes may not be welcome by all.

I think Falklanders should make the best of this opportunity, and I wish you all the best in your endeavours.
8 islander (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 11:12 pm Report abuse
well!! They should be embarrised by their actions, you have a few good points there.
9 JJ (#) Feb 16th, 2010 - 11:40 pm Report abuse
I think it is time we got a HMS Submarine to patrol the 200 miles around the Falklands. It would sort the aggressors out and put a few where the Belgrano went!
10 islander (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 12:37 am Report abuse
Point 8 above was not me!! Hi Carl, yes you are correct, its just thatwe have very little big infrastructure here,enough to support a driulling programme logistical supply base but not much more, few people and no unmployment so it would be cheaper for the oil indutry to bring in supplies and workers from neighbouring countries - but as the neighbours act silly so its all European suppliers and workers - and mostly British. As to development if oil found - because of the infrastructure question and with modern tecnology we understand it will be cheaper and easier to remove as crude from floating load points and ship away to refineries. its only gas if found in large amounts that would need to come onshore for treatment. Royalties - yes - all offshore seabed is property of Falkland Islands Govt. But its all very early days yet - there maybe nothing there!
11 nitrojuan (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 02:25 am Report abuse
Islander, why do you think the cruises dont need Arg. point, have you been here before? here in Ushuaia we could have tax more than u$100 per pax and this people will demand visit this part of the world, that doesnt have compare to visit a disolated Malvinas or Punta Arenas (which develoment is like a Central America Country), Ushuaia is the “end of the world city” arround mountains, beagle channel, forest, that another part of Patagonia DONT have, tourist pay here everything to visit this part of the world, u$ 800 in a hotel in one night, u$5000 in a cruise to Anartctica (Ushuaia is the principal gate to this region) and in winter brazilians & argentinians came to ski and another winter tours, so have another city in this latitude this oportunities or potencial? We have the best airport in the Region, COncorde have landed here, the last week came the National Production Minister to bring the project of build the new port exclusive to cruises.... Chileans, Paraguayan & Bolivians do the hard work here, working in buildings and development of the City ? Did a Brit Minister come to Malvinas to create a new Port, Airport, University? (NO only royal navy, cause you are only the bridge to their claim). Dont stay with the Bad Propaganda that the media of your vitual country gives to you.
12 exocet82 (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 04:00 am Report abuse
JJ. No need for us Argies to risk any ships to strike you. We have developed self powered long range stand off bombs to take out any target on the islands that we choose. Powered test performed last August were very successful. A version of these bombs are capable of being directed against moving targets via data link to a remote base. Production has begun. I won't tell you where though. You see, it is not worth fighting things out. We all loose. Let's obey the UN
13 exocet82 (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 04:01 am Report abuse
www.fuerzasmilitares.org/articulos/20090704%20Bomba%20Dardo%20II%20(Argentina)/CSyD%20Mirage%20IIIC%20C-717%20con%20la%20Dardo%20II.jpg
14 Nicholas (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 06:21 am Report abuse
“We have developed self powered long range stand off bombs to take out any target on the islands that we choose. Powered test performed last August were very successful.”<br />
<br />
Laugh...OMG...This che idiot believes now he's a superpower. Give me a break, you clowns have nothing. not even food to feed your people or coins..pfft.
15 owl (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 08:13 am Report abuse
nicholas !! i agree with you test was very succesful which had made
on Pentagon Building while New York twin towers collapsing !?.. laugh..
16 Justin Kuntz (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 09:04 am Report abuse
Dardo II

GPS guided using C/A code GPS. Easily jammed. UK equivalent PGB uses the P code GPS, not easily jammed.

A glide bomb so it still needs to get in close. 40km is not long range, cruise missiles have a range of 1200 km.

No terminal seeker so it can't attack point targets. Unlike PGB.

Any aircraft stooging around at 30,000' trying to lob bombs at the Falklands is going to have a short and very unhappy life.

And to put it all in perspective, the first operational use of precision guided munitions by the UK was during the Falklands War, 28 years ago.

Really this ain't impressive or any sort of threat.
17 exocet82 (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 09:18 am Report abuse
DardoIII
18 Justin Kuntz (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 12:43 pm Report abuse
Dardo III when Dardo II hasn't even finished development. It'll go the way of the Pulqui and other grand Peronist projects.
19 Expat Kelper (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 01:52 pm Report abuse
exocet82,
The German V1 Flying bomb was a better cruise missile with a longer range than anything you have got. Just a tad inaccurate.
Falkland Islanders could easily build a more sophisticated version of these in their peat sheds, so watch your back.
20 khh (#) Feb 17th, 2010 - 10:59 pm Report abuse
the only thing the che goon show has that can lift of is the nobs on there heads. DardoIII, blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
21 gaucho (#) Feb 18th, 2010 - 07:45 am Report abuse
#20 means that ......the only thing the chenney goon show has that.....
22 gaucho (#) Feb 18th, 2010 - 12:01 pm Report abuse
1774 :: Brits withdrawal from colony

1776 :: Brits leave plaque to assert claim on abondoned colony

1811 :: Spaniards withdraw from colony

1816 :: Un.Proc.of S.Amr's independence from Spain

1820 :: flag of Un.Pro.S.Amr(later Argentina) raised on islands

1828 :: Argentine settlements colony founded

1831 :: US warships destroy settlements

1832 :: Argentina send a governor who killed in mutiny

1833 :: Brits return to islands again.....
23 exocet82 (#) Feb 19th, 2010 - 03:57 am Report abuse
Justin KUNT syas,
“GPS guided using C/A code GPS. Easily jammed. UK equivalent PGB uses the P code GPS, not easily jammed.

A glide bomb so it still needs to get in close. 40km is not long range, cruise missiles have a range of 1200 km.

No terminal seeker so it can't attack point targets. Unlike PGB.

Any aircraft stooging around at 30,000' trying to lob bombs at the Falklands is going to have a short and very unhappy life.

And to put it all in perspective, the first operational use of precision guided munitions by the UK was during the Falklands War, 28 years ago.

Really this ain't impressive or any sort of threat. ”

You are off the mark on all your technical description. The operational model is not a glide bomd, if you think it's jamable go ahead. What I know is that in operational tests, it hit it's marks.
Whether it lands in your living room or across the street, I am sure that you will duck for cover. and will make for long sleepless nights on Mt. Pleasant.
24 exocet82 (#) Feb 19th, 2010 - 04:03 am Report abuse
Islanders, if you believe were coming, you might as well carry out your threats of destruction and inhilation right now. With all of the Argie advances in rockets, long range bombs, and taking back our aircraft industry and shipyards, plus all this mess, the gap may soon start to narrow.
25 exocet82 (#) Feb 19th, 2010 - 04:05 am Report abuse
DARDO III is one of a several bomb and missile development programs currently under way at CITEDEF.
26 J.A. Roberts (#) Feb 19th, 2010 - 08:33 am Report abuse
Dardo schmardo. Nobody is worried exocet. We all know Argentina can't organise a piss-up in a brewery and we don't expect you to...
27 jorge (#) Feb 19th, 2010 - 10:25 pm Report abuse
.....“Laugh...OMG...This che idiot believes now he's a superpower. Give me a break, you clowns have nothing. not even food to feed your people or coins..pfft.”....

Nicholas, take care of your shitty country. Ben laden is coming and bringing a gift for you. LOL
Your luck is Leman brothers' luck.

Hey Kirchner, let's build it, launch it and finish this once for all!!!!
28 JustinKuntz (#) Feb 20th, 2010 - 07:25 pm Report abuse
Ah the Argentine aircraft industry, in such a shit state they had to beg Lockheed Martin to fix it for them. Empty threats, we're gonna a build this “missile” if you don't give us the Falklands ooops errr I mean Malvinas back.

Pulqui, remember that grand project, Condor, remember that grand project, Dardo III?, when they haven't even got DARDO II into service. Argentina has had many grand Peronist projects that produced squat.
29 Rhaurie-Craughwell (#) Feb 20th, 2010 - 11:16 pm Report abuse
Justin don't deride the Argentine air industry, they just developed a means to power their pucaras (the ones left!) by soya beans-..........Fat lot of good thats going to do over an oil rich falklands!
30 nitrojuan (#) Feb 21st, 2010 - 12:36 am Report abuse
Justin & Large Name, our gov. and militaries works together with the UN to keep the peace and democratic system (like in Haiti). After the Haiti earthquake the Arg.Militar Hospital Trent was the only thats keep working for a time. Forget the military junta that we had, now we have only profesionals soldiers and they dont warry for have the best weapon. Our Nuclear energy (unique in Latin American) is used for pacific destinations. Watch this video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5wqV1Q9ZB0&feature=fvsr

.
31 JustinKuntz (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 12:16 pm Report abuse
In case you hadn't noticed, Nuclear Energy is not really that popular any more.
32 jorge (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 12:21 pm Report abuse
.....“Ah the Argentine aircraft industry, in such a shit state they had to beg Lockheed Martin to fix it for them.”.....

Lockead Martin is not here anymore, you ignorant!!!!


.....“In case you hadn't noticed, Nuclear Energy is not really that popular any more.”.....

The ignorance of this guy never cease to amaze me!!!
33 JustinKuntz (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 01:23 pm Report abuse
Ah yes, waited till it was half-decent state and then renationalised it didn't you. And it wasn't in a shit state when LM took over was it. Oh but it was, the factory was closed down.

Right, jorge, the whole world is not building nuclear power plants in case you hadn't noticed.

Please do continue shooting yourself in the foot.
34 nitrojuan (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 02:42 pm Report abuse
Justin we have sold Australia the know how of their nuclear power plant, with our scientistics. so what are you saying? The bad propaganda of Argentina ends, so find another place to that, Cyprus is a better place of that.
35 J.A. Roberts (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 03:37 pm Report abuse
“Please do continue shooting yourself in the foot”<br />
<br />
No need to encourage him Justin!
36 jorge (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 03:44 pm Report abuse
....“Right, jorge, the whole world is not building nuclear power plants in case you hadn't noticed.”....

With oil prices increasing and weather change, many countries around the world think seriously about nuclear energy, ignorant. You and your colleage archibalito are gettin stoned so fast. Ridiculous people!
37 JustinKuntz (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 07:28 pm Report abuse
There hasn't been a nuclear plant in Europe since Chernobyl, no one is building them. Not to say anything bad about Argentina, its just no one else brags about nuclear power any more.
38 Carlos Tevez (#) Feb 22nd, 2010 - 10:38 pm Report abuse
the Falkland Islands will always be Argentine.
39 J.A. Roberts (#) Feb 23rd, 2010 - 06:35 am Report abuse
Yea, and Port Desire will always be British...

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!

Advertisement

Get Email News Reports!

Get our news right on your inbox.
Subscribe Now!

Advertisement