Friday, March 16, 2012

UK says Argentina is 'illegally harassing' Malvinas islanders

The UK government accused Argentina of illegally harassing Malvinas islanders on Friday, stating that Argentina's decision to take legal action against any companies involved in oil exploration off the disputed islands could damage their local Malvinas economy.

The UK Foreign Office confirmed to the BuenosAiresHerald.com that the UK is also offering to help any oil companies potentially affected by the measure.

Just weeks away from the 30th anniversary commemorating the Malvinas War fought between the two countries, tensions were continuing to rise between Argentina and the UK over economic issues regarding Malvinas islands and how they affect local residents as well as questions of sovereignty.

Today’s comments made on behalf of David Cameron’s government come in response to Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman’s statements made on Thursday, announcing sanctions against banks and companies that partner with and/or finance oil companies conducting oil drills in Malvinas Islands.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister David Cameron labelled the Argentine government's move "regrettable" and the foreign ministry said the Malvinas were entitled to develop oil resources without interference.

"These latest attempts to damage the economic livelihoods of the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands people regrettably reflect a pattern of behaviour by the Argentine government," the spokesperson said.

"From harassing Falklands (Malvinas) shipping to threatening the Islanders’ air links with Chile, Argentina’s efforts to intimidate the Falklands are illegal, unbecoming and wholly counter-productive," the FCO spokesperson continued.

Yesterday, Timerman called the exploration and drilling activities "illegal" and said Argentina will bring civil and criminal charges to sanction the companies involved.

"With these actions we assume the responsibility of defending Argentina's natural resources," Timerman said. "The South Atlantic's oil and gas are property of the Argentine people."

"We have run some research and found that not only banks, but also brokers, lobbysts and high risk investment funds are making Malvinas oil drills possible,"  Timerman stated yesterday.

In response to this, the consulted FCO representative detailed that "legislation applied in Argentina does not translate to the Malvinas Islands, backing the islanders' right to exploit resources within their own waters."

"We remain clear that domestic Argentine legislation does not apply to the Falkland Islands or South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The Falkland Islands Government is, as always, entitled to develop both fisheries and hydrocarbons industries within its own waters, without interference from Argentina," the representative stated.

"The British Government supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their own natural resources for their own economic benefit. This right is an integral part of their right of self-determination," they added, further underlining the thoughts and opinions disclosed by the British Prime Minister.

Finally, the UK government also said, "We are studying Argentina’s remarks carefully and will work closely with any company potentially affected to ensure that the practical implications for them are as few as possible."