Argentina's despicable action over the Falkland islands continues after it's emerged that it is threatening to ban firms from operating on the British islands.
Companies may end up having to choose between operating on the islands or in Argentina.
Supporters of the bill say they wish to target firms like Barclays Bank, a shareholder of British firm Desire Petroleum which is currently drilling for oil in the Falklands.
The row between Argentina and Britain over the islands - whose people consistently vote to remain British - has escalated by the Royal Navy sending the nuclear submarine HMS Sceptre to mkake Argentina think twice (one British sub could probably wipe out the entire Argentine navy). Britain already has four vessels in the area, and has said that it WILL defend the islands against any Argentine aggression.
To bolster our forces in the area, Britain should maybe withdraw troops from Afghanistan to stop aiding the Americans, whose left wing government is supporting the discredited Argentine government.
Argentina threatens to ban firms operating in the Falklands as Royal Navy sends attack submarine
By Daily Mail Reporter
17th March 2010
Daily Mail
Argentina upped the ante over the Falkland Islands today by threatening to ban firms operating in the British colony.
Companies were warned they face having to choose between the Falklands and Argentina under proposed new legislation.
Argentine MPs are set to debate a bill imposing a 30-day deadline on firms to axe ties with the Falklands or face being kicked out of the south American country.
The move, led by Argentine cinema director and politician Pino Solanas, has the backing of the country's former Chancellor Rafael Bielsa.
Supporters of the new bill said they hoped to target firms like Barclays, a shareholder of British firm Desire Petroleum which is currently drilling for oil in the Falklands.
The search for oil has reignited the Falklands Islands dispute.
Today it was reported a Royal Navy attack submarine has been sent to the Falklands to boost security amid mounting speculation oil has been discovered.
The Ministry of Defence has refused to confirm the sub's presence there, saying it does not comment on submarine operations.
HMS Sceptre, a Swiftsure-class nuclear powered submarine, is said to have been sent from southern Africa to make Argentina think twice about laying serious claims to the Islands.
It is the oldest seagoing vessel in the Royal Navy.
Ocean Guardian: The rig was towed from Scotland to the South Atlantic to drill for oil near the Falkland Islands
The vessel is equipped with Spearfish anti-ship torpedoes and took three weeks to reach the Falklands.
The British military has four vessels stationed in the area on a routine, rotating basis: a Naval destroyer, a patrol vessel, a survey ship, and a Royal auxiliary ship.
HMS York, a Type 42 destroyer, is partolling off the island's capital of Port Stanley.
HMS Scott, a survey vessel, is also nearby and the fleet has air support from a squadron of RAF Typhoon fighter jets based on the islands.
If the report about the submarine is true, it would be an addition to routine forces there.
The submarine, which was built in 1978, is 82 metres long and is equipped with sonar, attack and search periscopes, collision avoidance radar and electronic warfare. In addition, she has five torpedo tubes capable of firing the Spearfish.
Desire Petroleum, currently drilling for oil, is expected to announce next week if it has had success.
Friends: Hillary Clinton,left, endorsed Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's call for talks on sovereignty while she was in Buenos Aires this month
In the past month Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has reasserted Argentina's claim to the Falklands and asked for the U.S. to intervene.
The Argentine government has also tabled a UN resolution condemning Britain for allowing oil exploration off the Falklands.
Former Argentine Chancellor Rafael Bielsa last night urged successor Jorge Taiana 'to do everything in his power to increase the cost of the search for oil'.
Experts claim there could be as much as 60 billion barrels of crude oil under Falkland's waters.
Argentina has renewed claims in recent weeks that Britain is illegally occupying the islands.
The archipelago, which it calls Las Malvinas, remains an emotive issue for people in Argentina. Bringing up the issue of sovereignty offers a way for a populist president to whip up public support.
Argentina has claimed the South Atlantic islands since Britain established its rule in the 19th century and invaded the Falklands in 1982.
After a two-month war, they were forced to withdraw their troops. But Argentines still maintain they have claim to the archipelago, which lies 300 miles from its coast.
In the past month, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has reasserted their claim and has objected to the British oil exploration.
She asked for the U.S. to intervene in the row, and secured backing from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to open talks.
Both Britain and the Falklands governments have said there will be no negotiation over the islands and believe there is no issue to resolve.
The Argentine government has also tabled a UN resolution condemning Britain for allowing oil exploration off the Falklands.
President Kirchner issued a decree last month forcing ships sailing to the Falklands from Argentina to seek a permit after learning that the rig was to start drilling.
She has also secured backing from 32 South American nations supporting its claim that Britain has occupied the islands illegally since 1833.
The issue has been so emotive for her people that protests against British 'occupation' have been organised by former soldiers in Buenos Aires.
Last Wednesday, protesters carrying petrol bombs were stopped by police as they tried to storm the British Embassy in the city.
This morning, the Ministry of Defence would not discuss whether Sceptre had been deployed.
A spokesman said: 'We do not comment on submarine operations.'
READERS' COMMENTS
There's no row, the Falkland Islander's are British subjects and deserve the protection provided by Britain. As for the oil, 200 mile economic zone has been installed, by the UN, (unclose),his applies to any country with offshore wealth, including fishing. So Argentina, just keep quiet. In fact send some more ship's.
- C.A.Hodson, Thailand
*******************************
The ignorance some people display just beggars belief. There are people who live on a land far away who are Falkland Islanders. They believe themselves to be natives of this land and do not want to be part of a former Spanish colony. A country which only a few years ago made people dissapear. Yet for some reason which you don't explain you think we should allow Argentina to kick them out of their country. Just what planet do you live on?
- Craig, Leeds, UK
***************************************
I fail to understand Argentina's continuing recent noisy but futile attempts to claim the Falkland Islands. Geographically remote (300 miles) from Argentina, the islands have been claimed more by the Dutch, French, Spanish and the English over the last three centuries with Argentina showing little or no interest.
In the 1960s there were ludicrous, inexplicable and abortive individual Argentinian stunts to claim Las Malvenas (called after the French name for the islands) and in 1982 Britain kicked Argentina out of the islands in defence of long standing British sovereignty over the Falklands.
Now we have a failing Argentinian president trying to curry favour with her voters by posturing in a belligerent manner against British companies wanting to explore for oil in British territorial waters. The Americans would do well to keep out of this and the Argentinians would do well to back out of a fight they cannot win.
- DG, Haywards Heath
*******************************
Maybe the UK should start EU discussion as to whether get all Argentinian products banned from the EU as a response to the argentinian arrogance.
Lets face it if the argies want to get it on, they are more than welcome, we could bomb Buenos Aires anytime we want from underwater
My advice to the argentinians, don't push your luck too far.
- mike, swindon
*********************************
Since the Americans are so keen to support Argentina lets show them we can stand on our own feet by taking 2500 soldiers from Afghanistan and moving them and their tanks and artillery to the Falklands.
And lest send at least two more subs and another 24 fighters.
- JP, Bath
*********************************
if the americans back argentina's claim to the falklands, then surely they must agree to china's sovereignty over taiwan ( formosa )....or are double standard appllcable here..?
- bodo, gravesend
*******************************
James, Lewes - you appear to be far from 'clear what is happening here' as you put it...
1) The UK is not threatening a foreign country, the submarine's presence is meant as a deterrent to a repeat of the invasion of 30 years ago by a country which is again making aggressive noises.
2) The Falklanders have voted to remain British citizens, so obviously they do deserve the UK's protection. As you live in the UK yourself your flippant opinion regarding their status is a disgrace!
3) Nuclear powered is not the same as nuclear armed... A quick check on the internet shows that HMS Sceptre can be armed with torpedos or Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, not Trident nor even nuclear-tipped Tomahawks.
I hope next time you will think before voicing such ill-informed opinions.
****************************************
Some of the comments here are laughably naive, ignorant and wet, even some by supposedly British people.
Get this through your heads - the Falklands have been populated for centuries by British people who want to remain British. They were populated by British people before Argentina existed. Argentina is itself stolen from native people. Argentina has zero claim to the Falkland Islands. The UN emphasises the right of self determination of peoples. The Falkland Islanders want to remain British. How hard can it be to understand these facts?
Oil is not the issue here, at least not for Britain. The issue is, and always has been, that Argentina has no right to threaten by force to change the status of the Falkland Islands. We are defending ourselves from their threats.
We owe Argentina nothing. And James from Lewes, what makes you think HMS Sceptre is nuclear armed? She is nuclear powered, not nuclear armed. And who has been talking about using nukes on Agrentina?
- Charles, Bath, UK
***********************************
the Argentines are illegallly occupying Argentina: Because the British were on the Falklands 40+ years BEFORE Argentina existed and did not displace any indigenous people (unlike the Spanish in Argentina) as there weren't any!
- chas warner, taunton somerset
dailymail.co.uk
Companies may end up having to choose between operating on the islands or in Argentina.
Supporters of the bill say they wish to target firms like Barclays Bank, a shareholder of British firm Desire Petroleum which is currently drilling for oil in the Falklands.
The row between Argentina and Britain over the islands - whose people consistently vote to remain British - has escalated by the Royal Navy sending the nuclear submarine HMS Sceptre to mkake Argentina think twice (one British sub could probably wipe out the entire Argentine navy). Britain already has four vessels in the area, and has said that it WILL defend the islands against any Argentine aggression.
To bolster our forces in the area, Britain should maybe withdraw troops from Afghanistan to stop aiding the Americans, whose left wing government is supporting the discredited Argentine government.
Argentina threatens to ban firms operating in the Falklands as Royal Navy sends attack submarine
By Daily Mail Reporter
17th March 2010
Daily Mail
Argentina upped the ante over the Falkland Islands today by threatening to ban firms operating in the British colony.
Companies were warned they face having to choose between the Falklands and Argentina under proposed new legislation.
Argentine MPs are set to debate a bill imposing a 30-day deadline on firms to axe ties with the Falklands or face being kicked out of the south American country.
HMS Sceptre: The nuclear-powered submarine has been sent to patrol the waters around the Falkland Islands, according to reports
The move, led by Argentine cinema director and politician Pino Solanas, has the backing of the country's former Chancellor Rafael Bielsa.
Supporters of the new bill said they hoped to target firms like Barclays, a shareholder of British firm Desire Petroleum which is currently drilling for oil in the Falklands.
The search for oil has reignited the Falklands Islands dispute.
Today it was reported a Royal Navy attack submarine has been sent to the Falklands to boost security amid mounting speculation oil has been discovered.
The Ministry of Defence has refused to confirm the sub's presence there, saying it does not comment on submarine operations.
HMS Sceptre, a Swiftsure-class nuclear powered submarine, is said to have been sent from southern Africa to make Argentina think twice about laying serious claims to the Islands.
It is the oldest seagoing vessel in the Royal Navy.
Ocean Guardian: The rig was towed from Scotland to the South Atlantic to drill for oil near the Falkland Islands
The vessel is equipped with Spearfish anti-ship torpedoes and took three weeks to reach the Falklands.
The British military has four vessels stationed in the area on a routine, rotating basis: a Naval destroyer, a patrol vessel, a survey ship, and a Royal auxiliary ship.
HMS York, a Type 42 destroyer, is partolling off the island's capital of Port Stanley.
HMS Scott, a survey vessel, is also nearby and the fleet has air support from a squadron of RAF Typhoon fighter jets based on the islands.
If the report about the submarine is true, it would be an addition to routine forces there.
The submarine, which was built in 1978, is 82 metres long and is equipped with sonar, attack and search periscopes, collision avoidance radar and electronic warfare. In addition, she has five torpedo tubes capable of firing the Spearfish.
Desire Petroleum, currently drilling for oil, is expected to announce next week if it has had success.
Friends: Hillary Clinton,left, endorsed Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's call for talks on sovereignty while she was in Buenos Aires this month
In the past month Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has reasserted Argentina's claim to the Falklands and asked for the U.S. to intervene.
The Argentine government has also tabled a UN resolution condemning Britain for allowing oil exploration off the Falklands.
Former Argentine Chancellor Rafael Bielsa last night urged successor Jorge Taiana 'to do everything in his power to increase the cost of the search for oil'.
Experts claim there could be as much as 60 billion barrels of crude oil under Falkland's waters.
Argentina has renewed claims in recent weeks that Britain is illegally occupying the islands.
The archipelago, which it calls Las Malvinas, remains an emotive issue for people in Argentina. Bringing up the issue of sovereignty offers a way for a populist president to whip up public support.
Argentina has claimed the South Atlantic islands since Britain established its rule in the 19th century and invaded the Falklands in 1982.
Anger: An Argentine soldier holds up a sign saying 'English go home' in Buenos Aires during protests over the Falklands in February
After a two-month war, they were forced to withdraw their troops. But Argentines still maintain they have claim to the archipelago, which lies 300 miles from its coast.
In the past month, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has reasserted their claim and has objected to the British oil exploration.
She asked for the U.S. to intervene in the row, and secured backing from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to open talks.
Both Britain and the Falklands governments have said there will be no negotiation over the islands and believe there is no issue to resolve.
The Argentine government has also tabled a UN resolution condemning Britain for allowing oil exploration off the Falklands.
President Kirchner issued a decree last month forcing ships sailing to the Falklands from Argentina to seek a permit after learning that the rig was to start drilling.
She has also secured backing from 32 South American nations supporting its claim that Britain has occupied the islands illegally since 1833.
The issue has been so emotive for her people that protests against British 'occupation' have been organised by former soldiers in Buenos Aires.
Last Wednesday, protesters carrying petrol bombs were stopped by police as they tried to storm the British Embassy in the city.
This morning, the Ministry of Defence would not discuss whether Sceptre had been deployed.
A spokesman said: 'We do not comment on submarine operations.'
READERS' COMMENTS
There's no row, the Falkland Islander's are British subjects and deserve the protection provided by Britain. As for the oil, 200 mile economic zone has been installed, by the UN, (unclose),his applies to any country with offshore wealth, including fishing. So Argentina, just keep quiet. In fact send some more ship's.
- C.A.Hodson, Thailand
*******************************
The ignorance some people display just beggars belief. There are people who live on a land far away who are Falkland Islanders. They believe themselves to be natives of this land and do not want to be part of a former Spanish colony. A country which only a few years ago made people dissapear. Yet for some reason which you don't explain you think we should allow Argentina to kick them out of their country. Just what planet do you live on?
- Craig, Leeds, UK
***************************************
I fail to understand Argentina's continuing recent noisy but futile attempts to claim the Falkland Islands. Geographically remote (300 miles) from Argentina, the islands have been claimed more by the Dutch, French, Spanish and the English over the last three centuries with Argentina showing little or no interest.
In the 1960s there were ludicrous, inexplicable and abortive individual Argentinian stunts to claim Las Malvenas (called after the French name for the islands) and in 1982 Britain kicked Argentina out of the islands in defence of long standing British sovereignty over the Falklands.
Now we have a failing Argentinian president trying to curry favour with her voters by posturing in a belligerent manner against British companies wanting to explore for oil in British territorial waters. The Americans would do well to keep out of this and the Argentinians would do well to back out of a fight they cannot win.
- DG, Haywards Heath
*******************************
Maybe the UK should start EU discussion as to whether get all Argentinian products banned from the EU as a response to the argentinian arrogance.
Lets face it if the argies want to get it on, they are more than welcome, we could bomb Buenos Aires anytime we want from underwater
My advice to the argentinians, don't push your luck too far.
- mike, swindon
*********************************
Since the Americans are so keen to support Argentina lets show them we can stand on our own feet by taking 2500 soldiers from Afghanistan and moving them and their tanks and artillery to the Falklands.
And lest send at least two more subs and another 24 fighters.
- JP, Bath
*********************************
if the americans back argentina's claim to the falklands, then surely they must agree to china's sovereignty over taiwan ( formosa )....or are double standard appllcable here..?
- bodo, gravesend
*******************************
James, Lewes - you appear to be far from 'clear what is happening here' as you put it...
1) The UK is not threatening a foreign country, the submarine's presence is meant as a deterrent to a repeat of the invasion of 30 years ago by a country which is again making aggressive noises.
2) The Falklanders have voted to remain British citizens, so obviously they do deserve the UK's protection. As you live in the UK yourself your flippant opinion regarding their status is a disgrace!
3) Nuclear powered is not the same as nuclear armed... A quick check on the internet shows that HMS Sceptre can be armed with torpedos or Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, not Trident nor even nuclear-tipped Tomahawks.
I hope next time you will think before voicing such ill-informed opinions.
****************************************
Some of the comments here are laughably naive, ignorant and wet, even some by supposedly British people.
Get this through your heads - the Falklands have been populated for centuries by British people who want to remain British. They were populated by British people before Argentina existed. Argentina is itself stolen from native people. Argentina has zero claim to the Falkland Islands. The UN emphasises the right of self determination of peoples. The Falkland Islanders want to remain British. How hard can it be to understand these facts?
Oil is not the issue here, at least not for Britain. The issue is, and always has been, that Argentina has no right to threaten by force to change the status of the Falkland Islands. We are defending ourselves from their threats.
We owe Argentina nothing. And James from Lewes, what makes you think HMS Sceptre is nuclear armed? She is nuclear powered, not nuclear armed. And who has been talking about using nukes on Agrentina?
- Charles, Bath, UK
***********************************
the Argentines are illegallly occupying Argentina: Because the British were on the Falklands 40+ years BEFORE Argentina existed and did not displace any indigenous people (unlike the Spanish in Argentina) as there weren't any!
- chas warner, taunton somerset
dailymail.co.uk
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