Summit backs Argentine claim on Falklands
Summit backs Argentine claim on Falklands
By Jude Webber in Buenos Aires
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010
Published: February 23 2010 23:58 | Last updated: February 23 2010 23:58
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d90368ac-20d5-11df-b920-00144feab49a.html
Latin American and Caribbean nations have unanimously supported Argentina’s claim over the Falkland Islands and its opposition to the start of drilling for oil and gas there by British companies.
Buenos Aires is also to press its case with the United Nations on Wednesday.
The leaders called on both sides to resume negotiations to find a lasting settlement. They also called on them to abstain from taking any unilateral action until the sovereignty question had been resolved. Argentina says that means the drilling, which began on Monday, by British companies in waters around the islands is illegal.
To press Argentina’s case, Jorge Taiana, Argentina’s foreign minister, will hold talks in New York with Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general.
Cristina Fernández, Argentina’s president, attacked what she said were Britain’s double standards in failing to adhere to UN resolutions over the Falklands.
“Those countries which have a permanent seat on the Security Council can violate UN resolutions 1,001 times, while the rest of the countries have to obey the rules or be declared enemies or worse,” she said.
Britain says it believes its claims to the island and the exploration are legal, and it supports islanders’ right to self-determination.
Argentina and Britain agreed in 1995 to explore jointly the possible presence of great oil and gas reserves around the islands, but Argentina says Britain immediately changed the goalposts. As a result, Argentina abandoned the accord in 2007.
Ms Fernández stressed Argentina would press its claims through diplomatic means, telling reporters: “We don’t believe in measures like blockades and have been historic critics of how our fraternal nation of Cuba suffers through a blockade”.
“Argentina will not take any measures that are not in accordance with international law. The only thing you can’t do to a cannibal is eat it,” she added.
Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s president, also weighed into the dispute, blasting Britain’s Queen Elizabeth during a weekly television programme and saying while in Mexico, “that sea and that land belongs to Argentina and to Latin America”.
Four British companies are planning to explore around the Falkland Islands over the coming months in search of billions of barrels of oil or gas that they hope will spark a “black gold” bonanza. Oil and gas were found during a drilling campaign in 1998 but low oil prices scuppered any commercial development. Up to 10 wells are expected to be drilled by the Ocean Guardian rig, which began work this week.
Desire Petroleum on Monday broke ground on the first well on its “Liz” prospect which it believes could hold 300m barrels of oil.
By Jude Webber in Buenos Aires
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010
Published: February 23 2010 23:58 | Last updated: February 23 2010 23:58
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d90368ac-20d5-11df-b920-00144feab49a.html
Latin American and Caribbean nations have unanimously supported Argentina’s claim over the Falkland Islands and its opposition to the start of drilling for oil and gas there by British companies.
Buenos Aires is also to press its case with the United Nations on Wednesday.
The leaders called on both sides to resume negotiations to find a lasting settlement. They also called on them to abstain from taking any unilateral action until the sovereignty question had been resolved. Argentina says that means the drilling, which began on Monday, by British companies in waters around the islands is illegal.
To press Argentina’s case, Jorge Taiana, Argentina’s foreign minister, will hold talks in New York with Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general.
Cristina Fernández, Argentina’s president, attacked what she said were Britain’s double standards in failing to adhere to UN resolutions over the Falklands.
“Those countries which have a permanent seat on the Security Council can violate UN resolutions 1,001 times, while the rest of the countries have to obey the rules or be declared enemies or worse,” she said.
Britain says it believes its claims to the island and the exploration are legal, and it supports islanders’ right to self-determination.
Argentina and Britain agreed in 1995 to explore jointly the possible presence of great oil and gas reserves around the islands, but Argentina says Britain immediately changed the goalposts. As a result, Argentina abandoned the accord in 2007.
Ms Fernández stressed Argentina would press its claims through diplomatic means, telling reporters: “We don’t believe in measures like blockades and have been historic critics of how our fraternal nation of Cuba suffers through a blockade”.
“Argentina will not take any measures that are not in accordance with international law. The only thing you can’t do to a cannibal is eat it,” she added.
Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s president, also weighed into the dispute, blasting Britain’s Queen Elizabeth during a weekly television programme and saying while in Mexico, “that sea and that land belongs to Argentina and to Latin America”.
Four British companies are planning to explore around the Falkland Islands over the coming months in search of billions of barrels of oil or gas that they hope will spark a “black gold” bonanza. Oil and gas were found during a drilling campaign in 1998 but low oil prices scuppered any commercial development. Up to 10 wells are expected to be drilled by the Ocean Guardian rig, which began work this week.
Desire Petroleum on Monday broke ground on the first well on its “Liz” prospect which it believes could hold 300m barrels of oil.
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