Argentina
has launched another salvo in its war of words over the Falkland
Islands by threatening businesses who join the search for oil in the
South Atlantic.
The country’s foreign minister Hector Timerman said it would pursue legal action against firms exploring around the islands - and any other companies who do business with them.
The British Government hit back, accusing Argentina’ of ‘illegal intimidation’.
And Prime Minister David Cameron insisted Britain would continue to ‘stick up’ for Falklanders’ rights.
Scroll down for video
Mr Timerman said there would be ‘administrative, civil and criminal’ penalties against any companies involved.
‘We will not let a single day go by without filing some action in a court, administrative seat or international tribunal enabling us to protect the reserves which belong to the people and to the Argentine Republic,’ he said.
‘The gas and oil that is found in the South Atlantic belongs to the Argentinian people.
‘All these companies are entering illegal territory.’
He has assembled a team of lawyers and officials to chase companies through the courts wherever they do business.
As well as oil explorers, it will target firms which supply them, as well as banks and financial companies.
Buenos Aires has ramped up its rhetoric over the Islands in the run up to April 2, the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War.
It has already closed Argentine shipping lanes to companies searching for oil. Experts think billions of pounds worth of oil may be buried under the sea bed around the Falklands.
Mr Timmerman said companies involved in oil exploration in Falklands waters were ‘violating UN resolutions’ calling for talks on sovereignty.
The Foreign Office said the search for oil was a legitimate commercial venture.
A spokesman said: ‘These latest attempts to damage the economic livelihoods of the Falkland Islands people regrettably reflect a pattern of behaviour by the Argentine government.
‘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.
‘From harassing Falklands shipping to
threatening the islanders’ air links with Chile, Argentina’s efforts to
intimidate the Falklands are illegal, unbecoming and wholly
counter-productive.'
On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falklands, only to be defeated by a British task force sent to recover them.
The UK says there will be no negotiations on sovereignty as long as the Falkland islanders wish to remain British.
Speaking in the U.S. following talks with President Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘The people of the Falkland Islands could not be clearer that they want to continue their status as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
‘As long as they want that, that is not going to change.
‘To me it is very important that we stick up for the right of self-determination. The people who live in the Falkland Islands want to continue with their current status.
‘What I wanted to do in this 30th anniversary year is send a very clear signal to the rest of the world - Argentina and others - that while the Falkland Islanders want that status Britain will help them keep that status.’
Watch video of Foreign Minister Hector Timerman at the press conference in Buenos Aires:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2115812/Falkland-Islands-oil-dispute-Argentina-threatens-legal-action.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
The country’s foreign minister Hector Timerman said it would pursue legal action against firms exploring around the islands - and any other companies who do business with them.
The British Government hit back, accusing Argentina’ of ‘illegal intimidation’.
And Prime Minister David Cameron insisted Britain would continue to ‘stick up’ for Falklanders’ rights.
Scroll down for video
Warning: Foreign Minister Hector Timerman
(left), pictured with Treasury solicitor Angelina Abbona in Buenos Aires
yesterday, said Argentina will take legal action against any company
involved in oil exploration off the Falklands
‘We will not let a single day go by without filing some action in a court, administrative seat or international tribunal enabling us to protect the reserves which belong to the people and to the Argentine Republic,’ he said.
‘The gas and oil that is found in the South Atlantic belongs to the Argentinian people.
‘All these companies are entering illegal territory.’
He has assembled a team of lawyers and officials to chase companies through the courts wherever they do business.
As well as oil explorers, it will target firms which supply them, as well as banks and financial companies.
Contested: A depot for oil exploration machinery and equipment in Port Stanley
Buenos Aires has ramped up its rhetoric over the Islands in the run up to April 2, the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War.
It has already closed Argentine shipping lanes to companies searching for oil. Experts think billions of pounds worth of oil may be buried under the sea bed around the Falklands.
Mr Timmerman said companies involved in oil exploration in Falklands waters were ‘violating UN resolutions’ calling for talks on sovereignty.
The Foreign Office said the search for oil was a legitimate commercial venture.
A spokesman said: ‘These latest attempts to damage the economic livelihoods of the Falkland Islands people regrettably reflect a pattern of behaviour by the Argentine government.
‘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.
Drilling platform: The Ocean Guardian oil rig moved from Scotland to its current home off the Falklands two years ago
On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falklands, only to be defeated by a British task force sent to recover them.
The UK says there will be no negotiations on sovereignty as long as the Falkland islanders wish to remain British.
Speaking in the U.S. following talks with President Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘The people of the Falkland Islands could not be clearer that they want to continue their status as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
‘As long as they want that, that is not going to change.
‘To me it is very important that we stick up for the right of self-determination. The people who live in the Falkland Islands want to continue with their current status.
‘What I wanted to do in this 30th anniversary year is send a very clear signal to the rest of the world - Argentina and others - that while the Falkland Islanders want that status Britain will help them keep that status.’
Watch video of Foreign Minister Hector Timerman at the press conference in Buenos Aires:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2115812/Falkland-Islands-oil-dispute-Argentina-threatens-legal-action.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
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