So far it’s a psychological war to try and persuade the British to begin Falkland Islands a sovereignty discussion with Argentina but there is nothing to discuss about since the Islanders don’t want to belong to Argentina and that’s it, said UK retired Major General Julian Thompson.
Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman said that Argentina “is not looking to organize a blockade of the Malvinas” but only wants “to counter British interests” based on the Unasur and Mercosur decisions to bar Falklands’ flagged vessels from having access to regional ports.
Falklands oil industry sources confirmed that the semi-submersible Leiv Eiriksson oil exploration rig has reached Falklands’ waters and should be spudding its first well next Monday.
A project to release land from antipersonnel mines planted by the Argentine invaded forces during the 1982 Falklands conflict is “progressing solidly” said Guy Lucas, Chief Executive Officer from BACTEC a group which specializes in explosive ordnance, mine action and bomb disposal.
Argentine Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo, quickly hit back at the statements made by the British government, after Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Argentina “should stop their intimidation attempts” against the Falkland Islanders.
In an article published today the Foreign Secretary William Hague sets out why the future of the Falkland Islands can only be decided by its people themselves.
Following on unanimous support from all political sectors in Congress Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo reiterated on Friday Argentina’s sovereignty claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, underlining that “Malvinas are a State policy and Argentina rights over the Islands are inalienable.”
Argentina celebrated with ‘enthusiasm’ Washington’s statement that it recognizes the ‘de facto UK administration of the Falklands/Malvinas’ but takes no position regarding sovereignty and calls on both sides to dialogue, said Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman.
Left-wing activists have protested outside the British embassy in Buenos Aires to demand Argentina break off diplomatic relations with the UK over the Falkland Islands dispute.
The European Union considers that the new tense situation between Argentina and the UK over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands is a “bilateral issue”, however the Falklands figure under EU treaties as a British Overseas Territory, said the EU Foreign Affairs Representative spokesperson.