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Argentina/Chile celebrate Tierra del Fuego mines-free; Rossi claims UK impedes mine-clearance in Falklands

Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 22:14 UTC
Full article 53 comments

Argentina and Chile defense ministers, Agustín Rossi and Jorge Burgos, attended this week a historic ceremony in which they signed a document declaring Tierra del Fuego free of anti-personal mines. During the meeting minister Rossi blamed the UK for not allowing Argentina to clear the mines in the Falklands/Malvinas Islands. Read full article

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  • Jo Bloggs

    What an idiotic thing to say about the mine in our islands. Do these guys all think this shit up themselves or is this all Daniel Filmus wastes his time coming up with? The mines here aren't Argentina's concern any more; that responsibility ended after they finished laying them and handed over the plans to the British Task force commanders shortly after they surrendered.

    Mar 04th, 2015 - 10:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Buzzsaw

    “Argentina has complied with all the demands of the Ottawa Convention in 2004 eliminating all mines, antipersonnel, anti tank that existed in our territory, except those in our Malvinas Islands, because Britain does not allow us to operate there”, underlined Rossi......thats probably because they are not your Falkland Islands you idiot.

    Mar 04th, 2015 - 10:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jo Bloggs

    I assume that whoever is endorsing these comments actually believes they will make some positive contribution to their baseless claim on our islands.

    ...or are they all just for internal consumption for the illiterate halfwits who lap that sort of shit up? Surely they don't really believe their electorate is so dumb. How fucking patronising can they get?

    Mar 04th, 2015 - 10:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CaptainSilver

    Bullshit!

    Mar 04th, 2015 - 11:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jo Bloggs

    Only the Argie Malvinista propaganda machine could come up with a way of blaming the British for the land mines that are still on our islands.

    Did the British lay them? NO.

    The people of Argentina did.

    Mar 04th, 2015 - 11:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • falklandlad

    Another Kirchernite prat on the block exercising self-delusion. Long may they stay the hell out of the Falklands.

    Mar 04th, 2015 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jo Bloggs

    Rossi says the irrationality of their government at the time almost forced them into war. Erm, the irrational government at the time DID force you into a war Rossi, you deadbeat.

    ... and the extent of destruction of your armed forces inflicted upon you by the British Task Force in 1982 is preventing your latest irrational government from forcing you into another war.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 12:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anbar

    Argenweener: a country created to provide entertainment for the rest of the world.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 02:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    Incredible!
    Only in Argentina could they try to blame the victor for lack of mine-clearance, that they themselves planted!
    It is not surprising that the Islanders do not want any Argentines on THEIR soil, for whatever reason.

    What do the put in the water over there?

    I did, however, rather enjoy the petulant tone of 'the British won't allow us'.
    Shows who actually calls the shots, then?
    The Argentines must do what they are allowed to, by the Brits, haha!
    Anyone wanna talk about the Gripen deal?
    How did that work out?
    arf! arf!

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 03:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    Unless I'm mistaken all the minefields in TdF and Magallanes or in defencive fields laid by the Chileans... and they have been cleared by the Chileans...
    So .. as is the norm.. the RGs having caused the problem have done SFA about sorting it...

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 03:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Enrique Massot

    Well, I believe minister Rossi said in a very gentleman's way: “We would be glad to go and clean up the mess.”
    However, this is just an aside to a good news story which I would have expected some here would have noticed. Chile and Argentina have celebrated the happy end of a situation that should have never happened. The lesson? Put the military in charge and they'll want to play the game they learned at school: war.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 03:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @10
    but aren't the RGs always just mere victims in a cruel world?
    Even when they do bad things, it is because some nasty bully made them do it?
    Isn't that the truth?
    They teach it in Argentine schools do they not?
    It must be true!
    Please, say it ain't so...
    ;-)

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 03:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    BBC
    ”What does help the clearance teams is knowing where the mines lie, thanks to careful plans left behind by the Argentines.
    On a computer screen in the nearby office of the Falkland Islands Demining Programme, technical adviser Guy Marot clicks between an aerial photo of two cleared minefields and a hand-drawn diagram of the same spot, to demonstrate how reality matches the plan.
    He scrolls through pages of numerical records, entitled Armada Argentina (Argentine navy) with tables of numbers corresponding to exact positions where mines were laid.
    To date, he says, the records have been accurate.
    “It does show us where the mines are, in what rows and in what configuration,” he says.
    But it is not just Argentine weapons they are looking for.
    On Sapper Hill, next to the minefield, is a strip of land where the British dropped cluster munitions, a more random dispersal“

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8564061.stm

    ”How Falkland islanders plan to help the world by keeping their land mines”

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8564061.stm

    Case closed.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 04:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Englander

    The UK doesn't allow Argentina to operate in the Falkland Islands - quite right too! Stay away from South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and intervening maritime space also.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 06:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    Marcos

    What are you blabbing about now?

    Your own link shows the islanders have suggested (with an honour and courtesy you have never shown) that any mine clearance money should be spent in Africa clearing mines where people are dying from them being there....and that they have successfully fenced off the minefields planted by Argentina and nobody gets hurt by them.

    A truly honourable approach.

    Your dishonourable approach, believing that an invading force is within its rights to plant these mines, and not pay (somebody else) to clear them...is of course to be expected. You are a man with no dignity or honour.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 06:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    celebrate Tierra del Fuego mines-free; Rossi
    /////////
    first off allow us to salami this item,

    Tierra del Fuego
    who laid them ? not us,

    then the Falkland's,
    who laid them=not us,

    the two should not give the impression that they are two of the same, and its out fault,

    If Argentina was really worried abt the mines that THEY laid then one suggests she takes it to court and demand that Argentina be made responsible for the mines , and legally made to remove them , and compensate all the troops that were either injured or killed by them,

    are you really worried,
    they why bring it up in the first place,

    to give the impression its the fault of the British, again,
    Soddy offy.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 10:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GALlamosa

    Congratulations to our Chilean friends for getting their minefields cleared. Our clearances are proceeding according to an agreed programme.

    Only someone as gormless as Rossi could hope to make political capital out of a national crime on another country's territory. He would do better supporting the right for Argentine veterans to some justice for the abuse they suffered at the hands of their own officers.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 10:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @11, 13. Now do tell us the basis of your attitudes and comments. Is it stupidity or an attempt to exonerate your piss-poor state and blame someone else?

    If you took the time to research the Ottawa Convention, you would note some interesting features. First, the Convention only applies to anti-personnel landmines. It does not address mixed mines, anti-tank mines, remote controlled claymore mines, anti-handling devices (booby-traps) and other “static” explosive devices. Secondly, the Convention places the responsibility for clearing the munitions on the sovereign state. Therefore, it's another little smack in your teeth because you're not 'sovereign' in the Falkland Islands. No matter how many times you rabbit about 'our Malvinas'. You can have any 'Malvinas' you can find. Not bothered. But, as Englander says, stay away from OUR Falklands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands!

    Who in their right mind would let argies on to the Islands tasked with mine clearance? How many mines would they clear and how many would they leave in place? How many munitions not covered by the Convention would they fail to mention? Would they clear those? Would they plant some more? How many British troops would be needed to supervise the argies and check on their activities? Given the attitudes of various argies, would it be okay for British troops to shoot them at the slightest sign of inappropriate behaviour?

    I should mention that there are a number of areas, e.g. Goose Green and West Falkland where there are no argie records.
    http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2010/10/falkland-islands-de-mining/

    But there is a way. Argieland can simply offer to pay. Are you offering to pay for the clearance already performed? No cheques or credit cards. Cash only. Send your £100 million, in honest currency, packed in suitable suitcases to the UK's Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 11:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    lf we let the Argentines in here to meddle(l wouldn't trust the blighters not to re-activate or lay even MORE mines)with the mines that THEY laid, you can be sure they'd make some political mileage out of it.
    No, amigos, you've done enough damage. Just go away quietly & play minefields in your own country.
    Besides, we don't want a useless shower of incompetent idiots traipsing around the countryside.
    Who knows WHAT they'll get up to.
    But if they want to blow themselves up while tampering with THEIR mines, by all means, encourage them to do so.
    Under strict supervision, of course! lol!

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 11:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Evil Colonialist Pirate

    I'm sure any donation from Argentina towards removing the mines with which they littered the islands would be accepted. Perhaps though it might have been better if the Argies hadn't left them there in the first place.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 11:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • brianF.I

    @13 WOW you are just as retarded as Piggy Pauly, you have quoted an article from 10 years ago, the story is no longer relevant and our minefields are currently being cleared with NO assistance from Argentina, not that we would want your help anyway, you would only fuck it up like everything else.

    Look past your indoctrination you moron and realise the world is not what your government tells you

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 01:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Caledon

    It's actually very nice of Mr Rossi to offer his services. I think the FI's should invite him and the RG Parliament over to clear it themselves .Don't bother with detection equipment just let them walk through; if they step on one ,the FI's get rid of a mine ,the RG's get rid of a politician ..Everyone's a winner .

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 02:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • psql

    22 Caledon, your idea is supper!
    But, there is a little problem, this people here are mostly from the Malvinas and Argentinians by default.

    Between you and me, somehow grey matter is not very abundant in the islands.
    They never will agree to such an wonderful arrangement. Imagen all the politicians in Argentina (we could also invite the MP in London to participate, yes? :-)) walking on a mine field, to clear up.
    Supper solution! You are a genius!

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 03:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    Aren't we great because we have cleared some mines which we planted. Only Argentina would feel proud of these actions, most respectable countries would quietly get on with it and keep their mouths firmly shut.

    Argentina, the country that celebrates failure and its dirty past.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 04:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Caledon

    Your problem doesn't exist so no worries there.

    It appears to be more abundant than you think.

    As self serving as I think MP's at Westminster are.I would rather have a hundred of them than one of yours.

    “Supper” solution ? How about cheese on toast and cocoa ?

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 04:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Warning!

    To all Turnips out there, gullible enough to believe everything they read (specially at MercoPress)...
    There are still LOTS of active mines in Chilean Navarino, Picton, Lennox and Nueva Islands on tbe Beagle Channel...

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 04:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    @ 13 Marcos Alejandro
    In several areas no records whatsoever were kept by the Argentinian forces.

    During the war several Argentinian units “retiring” from the front, retreated straight into minefields laid by Argentinian units behind them.

    With the inevitable result.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 04:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • psql

    @ 25 Caledon
    Some of the stuff I read here, confirm very positively my suspicions.
    Life forms take many forms, but not all of them are intelligent.
    Nothing wrong with that!

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 05:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • gordo1

    Just one thought! If the purpose of the invasion in 1982 was to “retake” the islands why did the illegal invaders lay the mines in the first place? Surely this one act has caused more ill feeling, perhaps, than most of the other barbarous atrocities committed by the invaders. Surely, they should have been trying to win ”hearts and minds.
    Pelotudos de m----a!

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    @29 gordo1
    They only wanted to “retake” the Islands, plan was to “lose” the Islanders.

    As with Patagonia and TDF in the “conquest of the Desert”, “can’t let a handful of savages stand in the way of Argentina’s manifest destiny”, said Roca, before bathing the Pampas in the blood of freed slaves and Native Americans.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 06:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Its just more argentine propaganda,

    and these argy turnip growers know this,

    we want no help, need no help especially from a bunch of thieves...

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 07:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • malen

    20 Im sure any donation from Arg for removing the mines...... would you accept new Malvinas 50 pesos bill, cash ??

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 08:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Dean street

    1999 - UK/ARGENTINA MEETING: JOINT STATEMENT

    iii) As the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the Argentine Republic agreed in October 1998, the two Governments will continue to work together to evaluate the feasibility and cost of clearing the land mines still present in the Falkland Islands.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 09:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    @26 Think,
    And does this stop your army from occupying Chilean territory?
    lf so, then why remove them?
    Why are you such a turnip?
    Any potato could see this.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 09:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (34) Isolde, dahling....

    Who cares about your imaginary occupying army, you silly bint!

    We, Chilotes and Argentuzos, have always been good friends down here...

    But them bloody Santiago Milico mines have stopped me long enough from prospecting some very interesting placers in them islands...

    And we are not getting any younger...

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 09:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    lf l'm a bint, then you are a bin(“ben” if you're Jewish!). a rubbish “bin”?
    But l've never been considered “silly”
    Mad, crazy,unfathomable,even hard-headed, willful, or stubborn.
    Never been called “silly”
    Maybe l am, but at least l'm not a parsnip, like you.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 09:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Unfathomable?
    Chuckle chuckle..................... chuckle

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 09:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Anbar

    more good news for Crissie...

    “Nisman family say Argentina prosecutor was murdered”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-31757878

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 10:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    @38
    I just read it, it is unusual for the BBC to run a story as headline news from Argentina as there is no interest in the country at all. They obviously see this developing.

    Mar 05th, 2015 - 10:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • downunder

    “Rossi blamed the UK for not allowing Argentina to clear the mines in the Falklands......”

    Even by the standards set by the Argentine government, that is an appallingly self-serving statement. Is it necessary to remind this idiot that it was Argentina that conducted an illegal invasion of the Falklands, it was Argentina who committed abuses of human rights against the islanders and some of their own soldiers and it was Argentina who laid the mines! These are all criminal actions.

    The idea that Argentina should be allowed back on the Islands to clear the mines (even if they had the capability) is obscene.

    What a disgusting piece of work this minister Rossi must be.

    Mar 06th, 2015 - 07:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @32 Malen

    How about this?

    Pay the islanders a fee to lease the minefields for 10 years at £5 million a year (no pesos or other joke money) and the Argentine Government could build offices for Filmus on the minefields.

    The amount of land you would be able to use thereafter would depend on the mines you cleared.

    As you claim the land is so valuable to 'all' Argentines I'm sure you would all have a whip round and raise the £5 million a year required.

    The minefields would be deemed 'Argentine theme parks' so you could plant as many of your blue and white teatowels as you wish and chant your Malvinas myth as loud as you like as it gets drowned out by very loud bangs as someone finds the wrong path to the kharzi at night.

    Just think, you could become a tourist attraction raising money for FIG as the tourists laugh and point at that monkey Filmus and his mates through the barbed wire. Fancy dress costumes could be provided for the Argentines to play a full part in the theme park by dressing as Falkland wildlife.

    Rossi could take part too, dressed as a penguin, and Maximo could come as he is, an Elephant Seal.

    If you pay the RAF (in a real currency like pounds) I'm sure they will drop all Argentine participants in by Chinook on the end of a very long winch cable, to give your people the excitement they crave.

    Mar 06th, 2015 - 10:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    @32 malen
    At a value of £3.60 (and falling) each, I doubt they would be able to print enough to cover the bill.

    Probably need to clear a large part of the remaining Amazon the make the necessary paper.

    Still it would keep the Uruguayan paper mills busy.

    @36 lsolde
    Bint = Woman, Bin = Son of, Al = From

    In fact he would be Bin Turnip Al Cabbage patch.

    Mar 06th, 2015 - 04:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Usurping Pirate

    Only another three weeks 'till April 2nd ....
    Start of the trolling season .

    Mar 06th, 2015 - 05:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    @42 Pugol-H,
    Yes l know.
    Bint can also mean daughter.
    But l like your title for the Chief Turnip farmer!
    Would paulcedron be Bin Think Al Asylum? lol!

    Mar 06th, 2015 - 09:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    He would be Moreduller, as in Moreduller than Abduller Bin Turnip Al Cabbage patch.

    Mar 07th, 2015 - 01:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    Love it!

    Mar 07th, 2015 - 09:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Martin Woodhead

    some minefields were correctly labelled and marked and cleared after the war .
    Others werent and using plastic mines didnt really help matters.
    Due to the ottawa convention uk goverment was obliged to clear the minefields so that other goverments didnt have a get out cause demining is much harder than military mine clearance which is focused on clearing a path through a minefield.

    Mar 07th, 2015 - 11:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Philippe

    One logical consequence of the mine-clearance operations in Chile- North and South- has been their replacement by five strong armored brigades- North and South! One way or the other, Chile's border's are always well protected against friendly neighbors!!

    Philippe

    Mar 07th, 2015 - 07:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @ 48 Philippe

    You couldn't shoot a few of the 'friendly neighbours' just to liven things up, could you?

    Don't worry about return fire the argies have no bullets and the cannon rounds are time expired!

    I don't know about fearless tigers, the argies are more like toothless tabbies.

    Mar 07th, 2015 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @49 CrisR
    “toothless tabbies”

    lol!
    Like all ickle pussy-cats, they snarl when confident, but when an adult human stamps their foot, or shouts, they soon flee... They are only good at sitting on fences or chasing rodents for dinner.
    Nice analogy, sir!
    so true!

    For all the bluster, the 'whole world' knows them to be emasculated.
    Any news on the Gripens, or those useless Chinese jets that they are not trained to fly, and don't know how to maintain?
    Apparently the Ejector Seats are UK Patented, so won't be included.
    I thought that would be a primary focus for an Argentine pilot when faced with a Type-45? Or a Typhoon, or four?

    hell, what do I know?
    ;-)

    Mar 09th, 2015 - 07:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @51

    “Apparently the Ejector Seats are UK Patented, so won't be included.
    I thought that would be a primary focus for an Argentine pilot when faced with a Type-45? Or a Typhoon, or four?”

    As with the 'pampers' trainer, they might be able to use Russian ejection seats, it might be the Argentine pilots want the excitement that comes with wondering whether the ejection seat will work or not, otherwise I would agree with you-yet again Paulcedron's' steam age British' who 'can't make anything' seem to have their equipment included, even in Chinese jets.

    Mar 10th, 2015 - 08:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    I'm sure the Argentine pilots suffer from enough 'excitement' when climbing into what-ever seat provided, whilst wondering about maintainence...
    That is probably enough for one day. Let alone actual combat against an enemy that can destroy them at whim, without actual engagement.
    (Type 45 or Rapiers)
    They thought of real engagement must be terrifying for them. (one Typhoon could probably take quite few down)

    I blame Kristina. poor sods. not their fault. might be decent chaps, you never know...

    Mar 11th, 2015 - 04:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Martin Woodhead

    Tbf martin baker did provide a nice tie and tankard to one of the pilots who was shot down

    Mar 13th, 2015 - 10:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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