MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands’ dispute reaches the UN: Ban Ki-Moon’s praises peaceful attitude
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon with Argentine minister Jorge Taiana Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana as had been anticipated on Wednesday formally asked United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to interfere in the “unilateral decisions” Britain has made regarding the Falklands/Malvinas Islands issue and highlighted that “from now on” everyone has to wait until Ban acts within a “good-solicitor” framework.
Following the meeting both held with Ban Ki Moon at the United Nation's building in New York, Taiana pointed out that the interview had been “cordial” and that his arguments were “highly welcomed.”
Taiana remarked that “the underlying reason for the visit was a pending conversation as regards Ban's role of being a good solicitor among the negotiations between Britain and Argentina” concerning the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty dispute.
“He is to make a phone call to Britain and will take care of our situation. Several options are at stake and we'll see how to solve this matter” Taiana summed up.
Previously, it was said that a resolution is also set to be tabled in the UN General Assembly condemning Britain for allowing the Ocean Guardian oil rig to begin drilling 100 kilometres north of the Islands.
Meanwhile the UN website said that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today took note of Argentina’s concerns regarding the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) during a meeting at United Nations Headquarters with the country’s Foreign Minister, Jorge E. Taiana.
“Mr. Ban expressed satisfaction at Argentina’s commitment to resolving its dispute with the United Kingdom over the Islands in a peaceful manner”, according to information provided by a UN spokesperson.
In addition, the Secretary-General reiterated that his good offices are available when requested by all parties in a dispute.
The dispute between the two countries – which fought a war over the islands in 1982 – is back in the spotlight owing to reported oil drilling by the UK off the Falkland Islands.
According to media reports, Argentina says that the UK has broken a UN resolution forbidding unilateral development in disputed waters, while the British Government says the Islands have a ‘legitimate right’ to develop an oil industry within their waters.
Desire Petroleum Company, which is operating the rig, has said that the drilling will take about a month. Further exploration for other companies will follow.
Argentine president Cristina Kirchner said in Mexico that in spite of the British attitude ignoring Argentine legislation, “we’re not going to adopt any measure outside the framework of international law: we don’t believe in such things as blockades”. She added that in this Argentina will act strictly “because the only thing you can’t do with a cannibal is eat him”.
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Read all commentsBritish goverment: We broke international law, but who cares, we control security council hahahha, who is going to say something?? those latam countries??? we don't care, we sing all day ”rule britania, rule britania, rule the waves and bla bla bla bla bla.........We are the british and we do whatever we want!
Feb 25th, 2010 - 08:54 am 0Curious, can anyone actually name and quote this mythical resolution that requires the UK to interfere with the FIG exploiting mineral resources in the Falklands?
Feb 25th, 2010 - 08:57 am 0So what happened to taking this to the Hague, Jorge?
Ok you may now continue with the racist bigotry.
Please look at some other news sources to get a more academic view
Feb 25th, 2010 - 09:16 am 0Bloomberg 25/2
{“It is illegal, against international law and contrary to the desire of the United Nations” Taiana said regarding the drilling. (now the best bit) He didn't reply when asked which UN resolutions were violated by the oil drilling or whether his coutry would seek a resolution against exploration in the UN General Assembly or Security Coucil.}
That is a major own goal by Taiana I am afriad. He says the drilling is illegal but is unable to refer directly to any law which has actually been broken.
Conclusions:
If they were cetain that interantional law had been broken they would refer the matter to the ICJ at The Hague. They are not doing this so clearly no law has been broken.
Taiana couldn't play poker as he would play all of his cards very early into the game and expose his weakness.
The Argentine leadership are playing their own citizens like a banjo and trying to bolster internal support by shouting “Malvinas, Malvinas, Malvinas” because their approval ratings are down 20%. This is a very cynical and disrespectful move by the Argentine government. If I was Argentine I would be very offended that my own government trreats me with so much contempt.
If ou do not agree with me then request that your leadership refer this matter to the ICJ. If they don't do this then wake up and smell the coffee. You are being used by your leadership yet again. Get rid of them and elect someone who actually respects the citizens they are supposed to serve.
Trade and collaboration is a much more rational route to take.
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