Argentina warns UK about Falkland Islands oil

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118017&sectionid=351020706

Argentina and the United Kingdom are about to lock horns over UK companies' oil and gas explorations plans around the Falkland Islands, or Islas Malvinas.

Buenos Aires has reiterated its rejection of oil and gas exploration programs by Britain around the south Atlantic islands and warned of the 'consequences' of such an action.

"Argentina again warns the UK about the illegality and consequences of this new unilateral action, extensive to all private actors involved, that they will be liable of future legal demands in the maximum tribunals, for the potential exploration and exploitation of Argentine resources," the South Atlantic news agency, MercoPress, quoted unnamed sources with the country's ministry of foreign affairs as saying on Friday.

Argentina's objection to the scheme comes after the UK-sponsored Falklands' government announced 'imminent' drilling around the islands by British energy contractors.

"The Falkland Islands Government is encouraged by the investment being made to establish whether there are commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in the Falklands. However, any potential revenues from exploitation will not feature in the Islands' economic planning unless and until commercially viable reserves are discovered," the announcement revealed.

Argentine authorities reacted strongly to the declaration, with Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana saying that oil exploration in 'Argentine waters' poses a direct threat to the interests of his country.

Taiana has presented a formal complaint to the British Embassy in Buenos Aires.

In his New Year address to the residents of the islands, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, "The British Government will continue to support the development of your hydrocarbons sector, the British Government will continue to work with you on this agenda."

He also said that there are "no doubts about United Kingdom's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands."

Britain seized the Malvinas Islands from Argentina in 1833, which triggered a 73-day war in 1982 during which nearly 650 Argentines and 260 Britons were killed.

Argentina disputes UK's control of the islands and views them as part of its own territory.