Initiative to upgrade Chilean Antarctic Province to “Special Territory”

Tuesday, July 6th 2010 - 09:20 UTC

Full article 33 comments

A group of Chilean senators from the ruling Conservative coalition presented a constitutional reform initiative that would declare as a ‘special territory’ the Chilean Antarctic Province with the purpose of protection and conservation of the zone’s biodiversity. Read full article

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Think
But.... But....
This is BRITISH TERRITORY!
Keep out you *X*Y* or ....... our Carriers, Submarines an type 45 Destroyers will navigatel the ”Strait(s) of Magellan WITHOUT PAYING FOR COMPULSORY CHILEAN PILOTS!
Jul 06th, 2010 - 09:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Hoytred
I thought that everything was (excuse the now traditional pun) 'frozen' in respect of the Antartic?

If not, then there will be a reaction. As I've said elsewhere the Antartic is the next war zone, and it won't just involve the UK and a couple of minor south American countries!
Jul 06th, 2010 - 11:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Think
You sound a little “Apocalypse Now” today!
Are you feeling all right Colonel Kurtz, Sir?
If you decide to go deeper into the Jungle Sir, remember to take some extra youngish short panted girls with you....:-)
Jul 06th, 2010 - 11:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Billy Hayes
frozen??!!!
please tell me that children are ok...please!!

http://www.marambio.aq/escuela38.html
Jul 06th, 2010 - 12:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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stick up your junta
@twink
We will leave you and Chile to fight it out, handbags at dawn and all that
after all you have antecedents,
Jul 06th, 2010 - 01:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
they will have to get past the british [icepols] and the [jublees] first.
and the ice warriers,, they have been warned,
Jul 06th, 2010 - 02:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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harrier61
As I understand it, the claims by South American states to any part of Antarctica are based initially on the Treaty of Tordesillas in June 1494. However, this treaty was largely based on various papal bulls depending on the rival claims of Spain and Portugal and the nationality of the current Pope. Today's Pope has declared that these papal bulls are of no significance or effect in the modern world. It was ignored by other European nations, and with the decline of Spanish and Portuguese power, the home countries were unable to hold many of their claims, much less expand them into poorly explored areas. Thus, with sufficient backing, it became possible for any European state to colonize open territories, or those weakly held by Lisbon or Madrid. The attitude towards the treaty that other governments had was expressed in a statement attributed to France's King Francis I, “Show me Adam's will!”
I think this rather dispenses with the claims of Argentina, who has also tried to use the Treaty to justify its claim to the Falkland Islands, and Chile. No part of the Antarctic was ever claimed by Spain, Portugal, Argentina or Chile by actually setting foot on the continent. In fact, even Argentina's claim may have reduced significance since the grounds for it include ”Argentina has maintained a permanent occupation for more than a century, and controls the oldest base in Antarctica (Orcadas Station on Laurie Island)” would not exist except for the actions of a British (Scottish) expedition.
It rather depends on Chile's intentions. If it merely wants to codify laws relating to Chilean nationals, there wouldn't be a problem. However, if it were trying to enhance it's questionable claim, it might fall foul of Article 4 of the Antarctic Treaty. It might also annoy the most powerful nations on the planet.
Jul 06th, 2010 - 04:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Frank
I'm not to sure if I understand this article where it speaks of 'upgrad(ing the) Chilean Antarctic Province as there is no such province. Their Antarctic interests are part of the XII Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena which covers all their territories in the south... essentially the country around P Natales and P Arenas and Tierra del Fuego . This province , like Easter Island and the Juan Fernandez Islands , is effectively separated from the rest of Chile.
I think something may have been lost in the translation in this piece.
And also...
Think... stop shouting and ranting, theres a good chap..... you make yourself look like an unhinged dickhead...
Jul 06th, 2010 - 09:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Think
I have a cunning plan.....
We teach Franky the Yanki a little bit of geography!

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_de_la_Antártica_Chilena
Jul 06th, 2010 - 09:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Frank
Sorry Think... not american, north or south.
Yes I can google too... bit awkward with english as a second language at times..
Province.. region.. ho hum... well it would appear they already have the civilian presence on the continent... so just a category change... isn't this province in Argentinian 'territory'??
Jul 06th, 2010 - 09:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Think
In Argentina we have a saying gringo...
Acts like a Yankee
Talks like a Yankee
Stinks like a Yankee
He Must be a Yankee
Jul 06th, 2010 - 09:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Frank
there you go again... unhinged dickhead
Are you Jorges' sock puppet?
Jul 06th, 2010 - 10:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Think
Swears like a Yankke....
Jul 06th, 2010 - 10:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
at the end of the day, when all is said and done, treaties will not be worth much if certain countries get their own way, yes the British want some, but the biggest claim i think is the Australians, so if this be correct, the argies will have to argue with them. We all know what would happen if all agreements and deals break down, hundreds of countries will not only claim Antarctica , but put boots on the ground, and the pure white snow would almost certainly run red, ??
Jul 06th, 2010 - 11:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Islander1
Briton, totally correct- thats why the Treaty is still there and all countries will do their best to keep it patched up and there- because they know the chaos and ruination of an environment let alone the dead bodies if it falls apart. The reality is that those who live and work down there dont give a s**t for national politics really. They have a job to do in a harsh environment - I imagine it still continues -at one time 3 bases near each other CH-AR and UK - used to periodically go and see the other and deliver the politicians facesaving protest notes - and then have a party! Nearby was a hill where flags got put on above the other - not sure who won to the top - but down there on a day to day basis all sides dismiss the political drivel as what it is - meltwater.
I dont see what the Chileans are driving at either - as all 3 already claim their chunks(overlapping) as their own sovereign territoty.
Jul 07th, 2010 - 01:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Think
(15) Islander

You say:
“I don’t see what the Chileans are driving at either - as all 3 already claim their chunks (overlapping) as their own sovereign territory.”

I say:
Well................. maybe all this fuss about Seabed Claims, Oil Drilling, Robust British Declarations about the South Atlantic etc .etc. etc..... awaked some suspicions in Chile about the real meaning of “those peaceful settlers on those windswept islands that only want to be left alone and live in peace”.
Jul 07th, 2010 - 05:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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stick up your junta
Well you argies have done a good job over the years at keeping the Chileans awake at night
Jul 07th, 2010 - 06:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Hoytred
If Chile does anything to breach the existing agreement/Treaty over Antartica she'll get squished by the UN. They know the dangers and won't allow little Chile to muddy the waters.

Once the Treaty goes then it'll be a free for all and much will end up carved between the U.S., China and Russia. Think (not you) Diego Garcia, think South Georgia. Britain will expend more energy in such a war defending its islands rather than the Antartic Territory which is, in any case, mainly frozen sea.

If/when it kicks off, then Briton is correct ... red ice!
Jul 07th, 2010 - 06:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Frank
11 Think (#)“In Argentina we have a saying gringo...”
In my country, diego, we have a saying,
If it looks like a pig and it behaves like pig it is probably a member of the argentino military...
Tell me, why do Prefectura desk jockies feel the need to wear side arms.. you know... while sitting at their desks? Small dicks or a justifiable fear that given the chance their countrymen will rip their jugulars out?

Hoytred ( 18) ... its a bit of a non issue, just a minor administrative change in a pre existing situation. But as said elsewhere... come the end of the treaty Argentina will be sucking on the hind teat...
Jul 07th, 2010 - 07:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Think
(19)
Thinks like a Yankee.....
Jul 07th, 2010 - 07:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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harrier61
20 Twinky doesn't think.
Jul 07th, 2010 - 11:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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stick up your junta
twinky fantasies
Jul 07th, 2010 - 01:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
well mates, when it comes to the Antarctic then i think all nations should respect the beautiful lovely quietness of the place, it is probably the last clean space on the planet, it should be protected, by all nations, and those nations that want to exploit the place like Argentina and Chile, should be barred from the place, great Britain already has south Georgia and other islands to operate from to protect the place, most of the countries that have bases their already, as Holytred says don’t care about politics and probably get on very well together, the Antarctic is a tranquillity of peace, what right does ant country have, in destroying it , just to gain something over another, the place should be left as it is, jusy my opinion,
Jul 07th, 2010 - 08:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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harrier61
Here's a couple of snippets of info.

The UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Norway all recognize each others' claims. Which kind of puts Argentina and Chile on the outside, doesn't it? Of course, the UK might negotiate an agreement with Chile.
Argentina? You don't negotiate with a mad dog.

AND

No activities occurring after 1961 can be the basis of a territorial claim.

End of story!!
Jul 08th, 2010 - 01:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
mmmmmm mad is ok, but dogs, you would know abt them swarming all over your streets starving, cant talk to chile, its to cold,
and the rest proves my point, agreements to safeguard the place,
Jul 08th, 2010 - 11:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Pheel
Just a century from the moment that you, british people, were displaced from the economic stage in South America. During a long time between WW1 and WW2, the nationalistic yellow press here (and worldwide) against “Brutish imperialism” was funded by....your cousins from the the 13 colonies who, as a consequence, took the meat and raw materials commerce in their hands. At that moment, the Foreign Office miss the point. Local governments try to convince you about what was happening, we were partners then.
I know that seems an almost abstract argument, but make an effort...you are enough clever for discovering a strategy.

Are we going to see same stuff for Antartida?
Now, local governments (Ch, Br, we) will openly be in the other side.
Jul 09th, 2010 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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harrier61
26 Pheel. Is that supposed to be a comment? Could you play by the rules and say it in English?
In the meantime, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Norway are all friends and we have fond memories of Chile. Argentina is something else. Still, Chile could have the slice that Argentina wants to claim.
Jul 09th, 2010 - 07:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
argentina poor argentina,
has the asylum let you out, tut tut,
Jul 10th, 2010 - 02:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Pheel
27 harri
Too abstract, i knew.
Next time I will try with apples.
Jul 10th, 2010 - 11:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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harrier61
No, Pheel. Not abstract. Unintelligible.
Jul 10th, 2010 - 05:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
argentina will shrink and bend with the wind,
Jul 10th, 2010 - 09:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Pheel
A lot of apples and coloured balls.
Jul 13th, 2010 - 01:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Argentino
British pirate go back to the north... to the north pole where you belong. Go to claim for the Arctic, you are really far from home, you don't have any right here.

Regards.
Jul 15th, 2010 - 07:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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