MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands’ oil dispute: Argentina presents its case and backgrounds to OAS
Argentine Ambassador before OAS, Rodolfo Hugo Gil Argentina presented before the Organization of American States, OAS, documents on recent British decisions and actions referred to the disputed Falkland Islands and requested they be made public to all members of the OAS General Assembly.
Among the information delivered by Argentine Ambassador before OAS, Rodolfo Hugo Gil are reports on UK’s “unilateral initiatives regarding hydrocarbons explorations in the Southwest Atlantic, and which have been going on since last October”.
The information delivered also included the Argentine Decree 256 which establishes previous authorization from Argentina for all vessels planning to sail between continental Argentine ports and the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands or crossing Argentine jurisdictional waters or transporting freight to be Islands, directly or indirectly.
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza received the documents and promised to deliver a copy to all country members of the organization.
The Falklands/Malvinas dispute between Argentina and Britain which dates back two centuries escalated last month with the arrival to Falklands’ waters of an exploratory oil rig “Ocean Guardian” that has seen since been drilling for hydrocarbons at an estimated 100 miles to the north.
Argentina considers that these operations are infringing on its sovereignty over the South Atlantic Islands and adjacent waters and has imposed restrictions on vessels travelling to the Islands from the continent.
UK argues there are no doubts about British sovereignty over the Islands and that Islanders have a right to self determination, and as such to issue oil licences in Falklands’ waters and develop an oil industry.
Sources from the British embassy in Buenos Aires have repeatedly stated that UK kept Argentina informed of all the hydrocarbons exploratory activities in Falklands’ waters even when Argentina unilaterally decided to reject a South West Atlantic joint oil exploration and production understanding dating back to 1995.
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Read all commentsThe Argentine Government continues to lobby all and sundrie with the oft repeated misinformation in support of a claim that nobody really believes and which has no chance of success. The British Government on the other hand, has given up arguing as it can do no more than repeat what has been said a million times since Argentina remembered it's claim in the 1940's i.e. there is no doubt as to British sovereignty.
Mar 23rd, 2010 - 08:40 am 0That said, the oil exploration licences have been issued by the Falkland Islands Government, not that of the UK. The UK does not have any 'unilateral initiatives' as the decision lies with the Falkland Islands Government. Argentina should be talking to the Falkland Islands Government if it has a problem.
Of course, if Argentina hadn't dropped out of the talks in 2007 ........ ??
How can a decision be “unilateral” when Argentina agreed to it in 1995? The unilateral decision was Argentine, when it withdrew from accords and now looks like it will miss out. It really is time South America stopped pandering to Argentine pretensions with sympathetic platitudes, a real friend tells you when you're wrong.
Mar 23rd, 2010 - 09:01 am 0Argentina? Who or what is that? Some sort of Spanish colony, isn't it? Background based on stealing a country from its native inhabitants, imposing a religion by means of Inquisitorial torture and murder and harbouring war criminals. (Note that Germany hasn't forgotten its Lebensraum ambitions!) So, what if the UK does have to defend the Falklands again? The UK can do that. The UK let Argentina off lightly last time. It's nice that the Argentine government says it will not resort to force. But why is it allowing its DEFEATED ex-soldiers to make much-publicized threats? So that force can be used whilst the Argentine government holds up its hands in horror? The UK should be straightforward. The UK understands the Argentine position. It would help if Argentina removed the clause in its constitution relating to the Falkland Islands. The clause is inflammatory and provocative. Inappropriate behaviour on the part of any Argentine nationals should result in the complete destruction of the Argentine Navy, Merchant Marine and Air Force. And a message to the OAS, you haven't seen the UK annoyed since 1939-45.
Mar 23rd, 2010 - 02:59 pm 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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