Stories for February 7th 2012

Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 16:57 UTC
Oil rig operating in the Falklands signs three year contract off Norway

A consortium of companies appears to be spending a large day-rate on an Ocean Rig unit which has been fixed for a firm three years off Norway. The semi-submersible Leiv Eiriksson, currently operating in Falklands waters has been wrapped up for a 15-well program over a minimum of 1070 days on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, Greek rig owner Ocean Rig said on Monday.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 16:51 UTC
Only the Falklands can determine its political future “not London, not Buenos Aires”

“We are well aware that Chile has a different position to us regarding the Falklands and this we understand, but it must be the Islanders who determine their political future, not London, not Buenos Aires or third countries”, said UK ambassador in Chile Jon Benjamin in an interview with the Chilean media.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 12:57 UTC
“There is a point where Islanders will say to the Argentines, 'To hell with you.'”

The following piece was published by The Independent, an interview of the Falkland Islands Governor Nigel Haywood by Falklands-born writer, journalist and expert in Latin American and defense affairs, Graham Bound.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 06:15 UTC
Argentina/Brazil admit ‘good understanding’ in round of trade talks to lift restrictions

The meeting between Argentine and Brazilian officials to discuss the new trade legislation implemented by the government of President Cristina Fernandez ended in a “good understanding”, said participants of the Monday meeting.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 06:09 UTC
China growth could drop by half in 2012 because of the Euro crisis warns IMF

Economic growth in China could drop by half this year in the event of a sharp recession in Europe, the IMF predicted on Monday in a report that underscored the importance of global trade to the world's second largest economy.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 06:01 UTC
Argentine football season named ‘Crucero Belgrano’ to honour major loss in Falklands’ conflict

As tension rises over the 30th anniversary of the deadly conflict between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, the Argentine government has named the upcoming football season in honour of a naval ship sunk by British torpedoes in the conflict.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 05:51 UTC
Cristina Fernandez expected to make major announcement on Falklands and oil

Argentine President Cristina Fernández is expected to make an announcement related to the Falklands/Malvinas Islands and most probably oil exploration on Tuesday afternoon, reports the Buenos Aires press.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 05:49 UTC
EU and Mercosur hope they can reach a trade agreement by the end of 2012

The European Union and Mercosur are hopeful they can reach a trade agreement before the end of the year said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton during her visit to Brazil.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 05:38 UTC
Except for defence, Falklands don’t need anything from any country, says MLA Sawle

The Falklands don’t need anything from any country, not even England, said Dick Sawle elected member of the Falklands Legislative Assembly, although admitting that the Islands do rely on the UK for protection.
Tuesday, February 7th 2012 - 04:46 UTC
Britain steps up its claim to the Falkland Islands

By David Usborne - The following piece published by The Independent reveals the contents of a letter delivered by the British ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant to UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon rebutting Argentine historic arguments on which Buenos Aires supports its sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands.