UK is poor and week Falklands War II may restart

[SARS_orchard]

The oil will restart the war. Argentina gets a new chance against UK now that it is broke and weak after failures in Afghanistan & Iraq wars.

Tension is heating up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...d-Islands-by-seeking-to-control-shipping.html





Argentina increases tensions over Falkland Islands by seeking to control shipping
Argentina has stepped up diplomatic tensions over the Falkland Islands by seeking to control all shipping in the area.


By Nick Allen in Los Angeles
Published: 10:05PM GMT 16 Feb 2010

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner issued a decree that all boats going to and from the islands must seek a permit from Argentina.

It was the latest step in Argentina's campaign against British-backed oil and gas exploration in Falklands waters.



Last week a foreign-flagged ship called the Thor Leader was stopped from leaving the southern Argentine port of Campana.

The Argentine government claimed it was carrying drilling pipes to the Falklands but the company that made the equipment said it was in fact heading for the Mediterranean.

Geologists estimate there are up to 60 billions of barrels of oil in the seabed near the Falklands and a £20 million oil rig, the Ocean Guardian, is due to arrive imminently.

A British company, Desire Petroleum, is due to begin drilling 100 miles north of the islands before the end of the month.

The latest Argentine decree said ships must get prior permission before entering its seas.

Despite Britain's military victory in the war over the Falklands in 1982, Argentina officially considers the entire South Atlantic continental shelf to be its territory.

In addition to the Falkland Islands, which it calls the Malvinas, Argentina said permits would also be required by ships sailing to and from South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

The decree was read out by Argentine Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez at a press conference in Buenos Aires.

It did not say what action Argentina will take if ships do not comply with its request to apply for permits.

The Foreign Office brushed off the Argentine move, saying the decree would not affect shipping through the area.

In a statement it said Argentine territorial waters were "a matter for the Argentine authorities. This does not affect Falkland Islands territorial waters, which are controlled by the islands' authorities."

A British Embassy spokesman in Buenos Aires added: "The way in which Argentina applies its laws within Argentine territory is a matter for Argentina.

"The United Kingdom has no doubts about its sovereignty over the FalklandIslandsand the surrounding maritime area." The Argentine statement stirs up an already escalating row between Britainand Argentina over oil drilling operations in the South Atlantic archipelago.

Argentina invaded the islands in April 1982 only to be defeated and expelled by a British naval force.

The conflict lasted 74 days and cost the lives 255 British soldiers, and 649 Argentine soldiers.

 

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8518982.stm


Argentina toughens shipping rules in Falklands oil row
Port Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands
Geologists say the seabed around the Falklands has substantial oil reserves

Argentina has announced new controls on ships passing through its waters to the Falkland Islands in a growing dispute over British oil drilling plans.

A permit will now be needed by ships using Argentine waters en route to the Falklands, South Georgia or the South Sandwich Islands - all UK controlled.

Argentina has protested to the UK about oil exploration due to begin next week.

The UK Foreign Office said the Falkland Islands' waters were controlled by its authorities and would not be affected.

'Pathetic and useless'

Buenos Aires claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which it calls Islas Malvinas.

It has previously threatened that any company exploring for oil and gas in the waters around the territory will not be allowed to operate in Argentina.

On Tuesday, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez signed a decree requiring all vessels travelling between Argentina and the islands, or those that want to cross Argentine territorial waters en route to the Falklands, to seek prior permission.

Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez said the decree sought to achieve "not only a defence of Argentine sovereignty but also of all the resources" in the area.

Last week, a ship carrying drilling equipment was detained by Argentine officials.

While, of course, Argentina is free to do what it wants in its territorial waters, I don't think they have any right to interfere in ours
Jan Cheek
Falklands' Legislative Assembly

Q&A: The Falklands oil row
Have Your Say: How serious is row?

But a drilling rig from the Scottish highlands, the Ocean Guardian, is nearing the islands and due to start drilling next week, the UK-based company Desire Petroleum has said.

However, a spokesman for the company declined to comment on the growing dispute between the UK and Argentina over oil and gas exploration.

Chairman of the Parliamentary all-party Falklands group, Sir Nicholas Winterton, said the Argentine decree was "pathetic and useless" and designed simply to try to impede the economic progress of the islands.

He said he would seek a meeting with senior Foreign Office officials to discuss the issue next week.

BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles said Argentine anger over the issue had been "brewing for a while".

He said: "The sabre-rattling over oil in the South Atlantic is just the latest episode in a dispute that's remained unresolved since the Falklands War nearly 28 years ago."

Ocean expanse

He told BBC Radio 5 live he did not think events would escalate "at this stage" but uncertainty remained over what the Argentines regarded as their territorial waters.

After Argentina's invasion of the Falklands in 1982, a UK taskforce seized back control in a short war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers.

The waters surrounding the disputed islands are considered by the UK as part of the British Overseas Territories.

We want, and have offered, to co-operate on South Atlantic issues. We will work to develop this relationship further
UK Foreign Office statement

But Buenos Aires believes the UK is illegally occupying the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Last year it submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by Britain.

Jan Cheek, a member of the Falklands' Legislative Assembly, told BBC Radio 5 live the new controls were part of a "continuing irritation for us".

"While, of course, Argentina is free to do what it wants in its territorial waters, I don't think they have any right to interfere in ours," she said.

She added Argentina had in the past "interfered" by refusing charter flights heading to the Falklands through its air space, and stopping fishing and cargo vessels.

"It's more of the same and we come to expect it when Argentina's government are experiencing difficulties at home. We're a very convenient distraction."

A UK Foreign Office statement said: "Regulations governing Argentine territorial waters are a matter for the Argentine authorities.

"This does not affect Falkland Islands territorial waters which are controlled by the island authorities."

It added that the UK and Argentina were "important partners" with a "close and productive relationship".

"We want, and have offered, to co-operate on South Atlantic issues. We will work to develop this relationship further," the statement said.

Geologists think the South Atlantic ocean bed surrounding the Falklands could contain rich energy reserves.

 

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/2010021...tainfalklandsdiplomacytradeoil_20100217174351


Argentina to 'peacefully' defend Falklands oil: minister
AFP
1 hr 19 mins ago

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) – Argentina will take "adequate measures" to stop oil exploration off the Falkland Islands, its government said Wednesday, but stressed it was not talking about a repeat of the 1982 war with Britain over the archipelago.

British authorities "shouldn't be complacent, because they see that Argentina defends its rights -- obviously by peaceful means, such as through bilateral and multilateral action in (international) bodies," Deputy Foreign Minister Victorio Taccetti told Argentina's Millennium radio station.

He stated that Britain was seeking to "unilaterally and illegitimately exploit natural reserves that belong to Argentina, and Argentina will take adequate measures to defend its interests and its rights."

The comments marked a sharp rise in Argentina's saber-rattling over the Falkland Islands, which Buenos Aires calls the Islas Malvinas and insists it owns despite losing a 1982 war against Britain.

That 74-day conflict, which cost nearly 1,000 lives on both sides, reaffirmed the British rule over the islands, extant since 1833.

Buenos Aires however is angry that London continues to skirt UN resolutions calling on both governments to renew a dialogue on the sovereignty of the Falklands.

A diplomatic confrontation is brewing.

On Tuesday, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner signed a decree ordering any ship passing through Argentine waters to request permission before going to the islands.

The issue has come to a head because of moves to explore how much oil lies in deepwater deposits offshore from the Falklands.

With oil prices steadily climbing again after last year's global financial crisis, and recent advances in deepwater extraction technology, any big finds could mean a bonanza for whichever country owns them.

Current estimates put Falklands reserves at anywhere between eight billion and 60 billion barrels.

But the companies looking to prospect -- including Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton through a partnership with Falkland Oil and Gas -- need easy access to close ports to bring in heavy equipment and prepare rigs.

Argentina's requirement that Falkland-bound ships ask permission is problematic for the companies because "the farther they have to go to get supplies, the harder and costlier it is," Taccetti said.

Kirchner's order is also potentially explosive, because Argentina claims the waters surrounding the islands -- meaning any ship intending to go to them, even from deeper in the Atlantic, could be challenged by the Argentine navy.

The Falkland Islands lie 280 miles off Argentina's southern coast.

Argentina says its territorial waters extend well beyond the archipelago, to the edge of the underwater continental shelf more than 2,000 kilometres away.

The growing dispute has thus far been played down by the British government, which describes Argentina's protests over the oil exploration as only "a matter for the Argentine authorities."

But Wednesday, an MP sitting on a parliamentary group responsible for the Falklands, Andrew Rosindell, called for Argentina's ambassador to be summoned to explain his country's "unacceptable behaviour."

"It is 28 years since the Falklands War and it has been made clear to Argentina that they have no say over the Falkland Islands or their territorial waters and they should not try to interfere with them," he said.

He added: "Any attempt by Argentina to claim any sort of rights of sovereignty over that region is something we should take very seriously. I don't think we should appease Buenos Aires -- we found out what happens last time."

 

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/wor...d-Islands-oil-rights-sparks-row.html?ITO=1490

Tory anger at Argentina 'blockade' of Falkland Islands as row over oil drilling rights escalates

By Claire Ellicott
Last updated at 5:13 PM on 17th February 2010

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The Tories have called for Argentina's ambassador to be given a dressing down after Buenos Aires asserted control over the waters around the Falkland Islands.

The move would effectively grant it the power to blockade the British-ruled archipelago in an escalation of the row over the disputed territory.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, secretary of the all-party Parliamentary group on the Falklands, today called for Argentina's ambassador to be given a dressing down over the decree and told not to meddle in Falklands affairs.
HMS Clyde

Tensions: Royal Navy ship HMS Clyde off the Falklands. Argentina announced yesterday that ships sailing through its waters must hold permits

He said: 'I hope the Foreign Secretary will call the Argentine ambassador in an tell them this is unacceptable behaviour.

'It is 28 years since the Falklands War and it has been made clear to Argentina that they have no say over the Falkland Islands or their territorial waters and they should not try to interfere with them.'

He added: 'Any attempt by Argentina to claim any sort of rights of sovereignty over that region is something we should take very seriously.

'I don't think we should appease Buenos Aires - we found out what happens last time.'

It comes as relations between the two countries hit a new low earlier this month after it was revealed a contract to drill for oil in the East Falkland Basin had been awarded.
Sir Nicholas Winterton
Andrew Rosindell

Dressing down: Andrew Rosindell, right, and Sir Nicholas Winterton, both members of the Parliamentary Falklands group, have said the Argentinian ambassador should be called in to the Foreign Office over the decree

Officials in Buenos Aires announced yesterday that all ships sailing to the Falkland Islands - known in Argentina as 'Ilas Malvinas' - through the waters claimed by South American country must hold a government permit.

'Any boat that wants to travel between ports on the Argentine mainland to the Islas Malvinas, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...must first ask for permission,' Cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez said.

The announcement means Argentina will be able to control all traffic from South America towards the islands, including vessels carrying drilling equipment and an oil rig due to begin exploration by early next year.

Sir Nicholas Winterton, who chairs the Parliamentary Falklands group, said he would seek a meeting with senior officials at the Foreign Office when Parliament returns from recess next week.

He dismissed Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's decree as 'pathetic and useless', and said Argentina had no jurisdiction over the seas around the Falklands.
Enlarge Falklands row

The oil ship 'Thor Leader' at the Campana port, 35 miles north of Buenos Aires. The ship is carrying pipes for oil exploration for British company Desire Petroleum, but has been stopped from leaving Argentina

Enlarge Falklands row

Fuel wars: The contracts to drill for oil around the Islands have been awarded. This map, published by Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd, shows the areas secured by each company
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner

Row: Argentina president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announced the decree on shipping yesterday

And he stressed that both the Government and Conservative opposition remain committed to British sovereignty over the islands and the principle of self-determination for their inhabitants.

'The Argentinians are again indulging in hostile behaviour - albeit at this stage only in words - against a friendly neighbour, the Falklands,' said Sir Nicholas.

'I believe they are doing so for internal purposes and that it will not affect the Falkland Islands at all.

'All they are trying to do is impede the economic progress of the Falkland Islands, because of course the encouragement of hydrocarbon exploration in the area is an important part of achieving a sustainable future for the islands.

'I don't think one wants to exacerbate what is already a difficult situation, but clearly it is important that the Foreign Office indicates that they believe that this decree has no jurisdiction over international waters.'

The South American country still claims sovereignty over the archipelago nearly three decades after the end of the Falklands War in which more than 1,000 people died.

Simmering tensions boiled over earlier this month when Britain announced plans to begin offshore exploration drilling near the remote islands.

Geologists estimate there are up to 60 billions of barrels of oil in the seabed near the Falklands and a British company, Desire Petroleum, is due to begin drilling 100 miles north of the islands before the end of the month.

A £20million offshore oil rig, the Ocean Guardian, is expected to arrive this week.
Enlarge Falklands row

Argentinia's foreign minister Jorge Taiana, right with his Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim after news conference in Buenos Aires on February 5

The Argentine foreign minister registered a 'most forceful protest' over the drilling two weeks ago.

Before that, the country's senior diplomat in Britain, Javier Pedrazzini, was hauled into the Foreign Office in London for a dressing down after Buenos Aires passed a law claiming sovereignty over the Falklands.

Argentina’s foreign minister, Jorge Taiana, vowed to take 'all necessary legal and diplomatic measures' to recover sovereignty over the islands.

Last week, the dispute almost escalated into a major diplomatic row after a ship carrying drilling equipment, was blocked from leaving the Buenos Aires port.

Argentina's government claimed the ship, the Thor Leader, was loaded with pipes bound for the Falklands and accused Britain of 'illegally promoting' drilling operations.

It also vowed to blacklist companies providing services to the exploration effort.

A move to control shipping is the latest development in the dispute - which Argentina says it will take to the UN.
Enlarge Falklands row

An Argentinian bomb exploding on board the Royal Navy frigate HMS Antelope on May 21, 1982, killing the bomb disposal engineer who was trying to defuse it

Enlarge Falklands row

Defeated: Argentine prisoners of war, captured during the establishment of a bridgehead at San Carlos Water on May 21
Enlarge Argentina map

Dispute: Argentina says shipping entering its waters must have a permit, with a £20m British offshore oil rig due to arrive in the next week

The Foreign Office said Britain was ready to co-operate with Argentina on South Atlantic issues, and was working to develop relations between the two countries.

'Argentina and the UK are important partners,' said the Foreign Office spokesman.

'We have a close and productive relationship on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including the global economic situation (particularly in the G20), human rights, climate change, sustainable development and counter-proliferation.

'And we want, and have offered, to co-operate on South Atlantic issues. We will work to develop this relationship further.'

The Falklands, which islanders say were first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, have been under British rule since 1833.

Argentina invaded the South Atlantic islands in April 1982 only to be defeated and expelled by a British task force.

The conflict lasted 74 days and cost the lives 255 British soldiers, and 649 Argentine soldiers.

Since 1993, the population of more than 3,000 people on the self-governing overseas territory have all been legal British citizens.

The islanders have tried to shrug off the prospect of a new conflict.

'There has been an economic blockade of the Falklands from Argentina for many years now,' said Roger Spink, the director of the Falkland Islands Company. 'It’s something we’ve come to expect.'

Britain has more than 1,000 military personnel on land and more than 300 at sea in the region, as well as four Typhoon jets, a destroyer and a patrol boat in the region.