MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

WikiLeaks Falklands - US concerned about Chavez while UK worried about trade and environmentalists

The American Government kept a close eye on the dispute between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands in 2010. Hitherto secret US State Department communications published by Wikileaks reveal that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton wrote to the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires in early 2010, requesting analysis of the situation, which it was felt had been exacerbated by the British approval to search for oil in the seas off the islands, and by a revitalised and bitter diplomatic offensive by the government of President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner.

Hitherto secret US State Department communications published by Wikileaks reveal that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton wrote to the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires in early 2010, requesting analysis of the situation, which it was felt had been exacerbated by the British approval to search for oil in the seas off the islands, and by a revitalised and bitter diplomatic offensive by the government of President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner.

According to the leaked paper, Mrs Clinton was particularly concerned about possible Venezuelan military involvement in the Falklands dispute.

The Venezuelan interest had become apparent at the United Nations, when President Hugo Chavez, a Kirchner ally, remarked “Get out of there, give the Malvinas back to the Argentine people. Enough already with the [British] empire.”

The WikiLeaks cables suggested the US believed the British had grown concerned about the extent to which Buenos Aires might escalate its campaign. It appeared to be London's view that oil exploration and the deteriorating relationship with Buenos Aires threatened trade with Argentina. Furthermore, there was concern about the possible reactions of environmental groups. “Their [the British] concern is over the shape of future sanctions on companies as well as threats and protests against energy companies operating in the Falklands by NGOs, including environmental activists,” wrote an official in Mrs Clinton's office.

Since early 2010, the Argentine protests and efforts to establish South American solidarity for its position have not let up. The threat from environmental activists concerned about the impact of an oil industry on the area's abundant penguins, albatross and other wildlife, has, however, not materialised. Greenpeace told MercoPress this week it was not active in the Falklands area currently, and implied it had no plan for direct protest action. But the spokesman added: “It is something we are keeping an eye on, for sure. Globally, we are working on a campaign against drilling in deep sea areas.”