UN Commission: Falkland Islands Lie In Argentinian Waters

The Independent: Falkland Islands in Argentinian waters, United Nations rules

The ownership of natural resources found in the islands' waters could now be under threat

The United Nations has expanded Argentina's maritime territory to include the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands.

This decision by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf was welcomed by Argentina, and gives the country fresh impetus in its continued claims to the British overseas territory.

It will increase the size of Argentina's territory in the South Atlantic by 35 per cent, but members of the islands' legislative body have expressed concern over the control of natural resources found in the surrounding waters.

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More News On A UN Commission Declaring That The Falkland Islands Lie In Argentinian Waters

UN ratchets up Falklands pressure, UK rejects Argentina’s territorial claim -- RT
UK Authorities Reject Ruling on Falklands -- AP
Falklands rejects Argentine claims over UN maritime ruling -- AFP
Commission's ruling on Falkland Islands dismissed by UK -- The Guardian
Falkland Islands seek clarity on new ruling expanding Argentina's sea control -- BBC
Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian waters, UN commission rules -- AP
U.N. commission says Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian waters -- UPI
Argentina hails UN ruling on maritime territory to include Falklands -- DW
Argentina Celebrates UN Falklands Decision -- SKY News

Britain To Boost Defenses At the Falkland Islands Over Growing Fears Of An Argentina Invasion

Reuters: Britain says to boost defense of disputed Falkland Islands

(Reuters) - Britain will reinforce its military presence on the disputed Falkland Islands to ensure they are properly protected, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said on Tuesday, a move rejected as unnecessary by Argentina which lays claim to the archipelago.

Tensions over the Falklands still crackle more than 30 years after Argentine forces seized the islands in 1982 and Britain sent a task force to retake them in a brief war which saw more than 600 Argentine and 255 British servicemen killed.

"We are reinforcing our guard," Fallon told parliament.

WNU Editor: Argentina is too messed up to launch an invasion .... but in view of recent comments by the Buenos Aires government .... precautions have to be taken.

More News On Britain Boosting Defenses At The Falkland Islands

Britain to boost Falklands Islands defences -- BBC
Britain to bolster Falklands defences due to 'increased threat' -- The Guardian
Britain's Falklands defences 'will be bolstered' amid fears of fresh invasion by Argentina -- The Independent
Chinooks to boost Falklands defence -- Press Association
Britain To Boost Falkland Islands Defences -- SKY News
UK pledges to boost Falklands defences -- Financial Times
Falklands/Malvinas: UK sends more troops to islands amid ‘increased threat’ from Argentina -- RT
Britain Modernizes Falklands Forces in View of Argentine Threat -- Bloomberg
Britain to bolster Falklands Islands defences with Chinook helicopters amid invasion fears -- IBTimes
Argentina invasion fears are prompting Britain to send more troops to Falklands -- Mashable
UK Seeks To Update Falklands Air Defense -- Defense News
Falkland Islands will always be defended by UK, says David Cameron -- The Guardian
Britain's military defences in the Falkland Islands -- The Telegraph
Towards a new Falklands War? -- i24 News
Britain sends an extra £180million to defend the Falklands amid fears Putin is plotting to help arm Argentina -- Daily Mail
Falklands defence: Why is Argentina considering an aircraft deal with the Russians? -- The Telegraph

Argentina Vows To Imprison Those Who Drill For Oil In The Falklands

The Falkland Islands and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands are British Overseas Territories. BBC

Argentina Declares War On Falkland Islands Oil Reserves, Warning Of 'Criminality' -- Express

ARGENTINA has declared war on the Falkland Islands’ oil reserves after the country’s Congress today passed a law imposing criminal sanctions on any “illegal exploration around Las Malvinas”.

The Argentine Embassy in London tonight issued a statement warning British companies and individuals they face prison sentences of up to 15 years.

Fines equivalent to the value of 1.5 million barrels of oil–about £100million at current prices–would also be levied.

The move by Buenos Aeries is a major ratcheting of the tension in the region and has triggered a furious response by the Foreign Office reminding Argentina that the Falklands are British sovereign territory.

The new law means companies would also be banned from operating in Argentina and any oil found or exploration equipment would be confiscated.

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More News On Argentina Threatening Falkland Island Oil Firms

Argentine threat over Falkland Islands oil operations -- BBC
Britain, Argentina in fresh row over drilling in Falklands-media -- Reuters
Drilling for oil in the Falklands now punishable with 15 years in jail -- The Guardian
Falklands oil firms threatened -- Belfast Telegraph
Argentina vows to jail Falklands oil explorers -- The Telegraph

Argentina Takes The First Step To Develop An Air-Strike Capability Against The Falklands

Jet Fighter Threat To The Falkland Islands -- Sunday Express

SPAIN is selling a fleet of Mirage fighter jets to Argentina in a £10million deal that fuels suspicions over relations between the nations who are both opposed to British territorial possessions, writes Marco Giannangeli.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner approved the deal, which will give Argentina the capability to attack the Falklands with laser-guided bombs. The 20 aircraft sold to the Argentine military are at Spain’s Albacete air base and will be shipped to Tandil air base south of Buenos Aires.

Built in France, the multi-role fighter has a top speed of 1,320mph and a range of 500 miles, boosting Argentina’s ability to “pester” the Falklands from its southern air bases.

Spain will provide spares and a training simulator and will train the initial batch of Argentine air force pilots selected from the military’s Fuerza Aerea Argentina Grupo 6 de Caza of the 6th Air Brigade.

The Ministry of Defence said the Falklands have adequate air protection from two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

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Update: Falklands alert as Argentina strikes £145million deal for 20 Mirage warplanes -- Mirror

My Comment: Argentina is laying the groundwork to have military options in it's dispute with the Falkland islands. This is ... to put it bluntly .... an ominous development.

Will Port Stanley Become Port Margaret?

Our heroine: Margaret Thatcher with troops in the Falklands in 1982. One islander said: 'We owe everything to her'

Will Port Stanley Become Port Margaret? Islanders Join MPs In Pushing To Rename Falklands Capital In Honour Of Their Liberator -- Daily Mail

* Idea is backed by MPs and attracting considerable support on the islands
* Proposal likely to trigger fury in Argentina, which has been questioning the sovereignty of the Falklands
* Falklands residents call her a 'hero' and 'part of history'

Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, should be renamed Port Margaret as a tribute to Baroness Thatcher, senior figures in the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence are suggesting.

The idea is being backed by MPs and is also attracting considerable support on the islands, which Lady Thatcher was responsible for liberating in 1982.

The proposal is likely to trigger fury in Argentina, which has been ratcheting up the rhetoric over the sovereignty of the Falklands around the 30th anniversary of the conflict.

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My Comment: A fitting tribute .... but the Argentinians will disagree.

Falkland Islanders Vote To Remain British 99.8%

Falkland Islanders Vote Overwhelmingly To Keep British Rule -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Residents of the Falkland Islands voted almost unanimously to stay under British rule in a referendum aimed at winning global sympathy as Argentina intensifies its sovereignty claim.

The official count on Monday showed 99.8 percent of islanders voted in favor of remaining a British Overseas Territory in the two-day poll, which was rejected by Argentina as a meaningless publicity stunt. There only three "no" votes out of about 1,500 cast.


"Surely this must be the strongest message we can get out to the world," said Roger Edwards, one of the Falklands' assembly's eight elected members.

"That we are content, that we wish to retain the status quo ... with the right to determine our own future and not become a colony of Argentina."

Pro-British feeling is running high in the barren and blustery islands that lie off the tip of Patagonia, at the southern end of South America. Turnout was 92 percent among the 1,649 Falklands-born and long-term residents registered to vote.

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More News On The Falklands Referendum

Falklands referendum: Voters choose to remain UK territory -- BBC
Falklands Vote Shows 99.8 Pct Want to Stay British -- New York Times/AP
UK pleased Falkland Islanders vote to stay British -- CNN
Falklands Islands Vote to Remain under British Control -- Voice of America
Falklands Vote to Stay With U.K. -- Wall Street Journal
Falklands Vote Overwhelmingly to Retain British Status -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Falkland Islanders Vote to Remain Part of Britain -- New York Times
Argentina urged to respect Falklands mandate -- Al Jazeera
Emphatic referendum vote sees Falklands say Yes to Britain -- The Telegraph
Falklands: Cameron says Argentina should respect vote -- BBC
Falkland Islands: respect overwhelming 'yes' vote, Cameron tells Argentina -- The Guardian
Cameron: Argentina must respect wishes of Falkland Islanders -- The Telegraph
Falkland Islanders celebrate yes vote in referendum – video -- The Guardian
Only three Falkland islanders vote against British rule -- Irish Times
Is the Falkland Islands’ Referendum a Farce or a Landmark Moment? -- Kharunya Paramaguru, Time

U.S. Secretary Of State John Kerry Avoids The Issue Of The Falklands In London Talks

John Kerry Refuses To Back Britain In Battle Over Falklands As New US Secretary Of State Starts First Global Tour In London -- Daily Mail

* US Secretary of State chooses Britain as first stop on 11-day tour
* Holds talks with David Cameron and William Hague
* Hails prospect of progress on Syria and Middle East peace process, but refuses to get drawn into dispute over Falkland Islands

New US Secretary of State John Kerry today refused to back Britain's stance in the battle with Argentina over the future of the Falklands, after starting his first overseas trip in London.

Mr Kerry pointedly refused to support next month's referendum among Falklanders on whether they want to remain British.

The issue is thought to have been raised by Foreign Secretary William Hague after Mr Kerry held talks in Downing Street with David Cameron.

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Update: John Kerry ducks Falkland Islands issue during London visit -- The Telegraph

My Comment: Catherine Mayer tries to put this issue in some perspective. As to what is my take .... a typical wishy-washy position from someone who wants to alienate no-one, but ends up disappointing our allies.

Update: Kerry’s first overseas trip off to shaky start -- The Cable/Foreign Policy

Argentina: Falklands Will Be Under Our Control Within 20 Years

Argentina's foreign minister Héctor Timerman gestures as he arrives at the Houses of Parliament on Monday. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters

Argentina 'Will Control Falklands Within 20 Years' -- BBC

The Falkland Islands will be back under Argentine control within "20 years", the country's foreign minister Hector Timerman has said.

On a visit to London, he claimed "not one" other nation supported UK sovereignty of the Falklands.

Speaking to the Guardian and Independent, Mr Timerman said Britain had "occupied" the islands for "access to oil and natural resources".

A referendum on the Falkland Islands political status will be held in March.

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More News On The Argentina - U.K. Dispute Over The Falklands

Falklands will be under our control within 20 years, says Argentina -- The Guardian
'Falklands Islands will be ours within 20 years': Argentina claims 'fanatical' Britons will be forced to hand disputed colony back -- Daily Mail
'No such thing as Falkland islanders', says Argentine foreign minister -- The Telegraph
Argentina's foreign minister Hector Timerman says 'no such thing as Falkland Islander' -- Global Post
Oil Fuels British-Argentine Standoff Over Falklands -- Voice of America
Oil fuels British-Argentine standoff over Falklands -- Reuters
Argentina must respect the rights of Falkland Islanders -- Dick Sawle, The Guardian

British Military Prepares Contingency Plans For Defending The Falkland Islands

Defence Chiefs Prepare New Plans To Defend Falkland Islands -- The Telegraph

Defence chiefs have drawn up new contingency plans designed to prevent hostile action by Argentina towards the Falkland Islands.

A series of military options are being actively considered as the war of words over the islands intensifies.

It is understood that additional troops, another warship and extra RAF Typhoon combat aircraft could be dispatched to the region ahead of the March referendum on the Falkland Islands’ future.

The options being proposed by planners at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London are also said to include a “show of force” such as conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic.

These could involve the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, a flotilla comprising destroyers, a frigate, a submarine and commandos.

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My Comment: Argentina is not going to invade as long as men like this are sent to defend the islands.

Falkland War Hero Commits Suicide Hours After Argentina Reignited Hostilities

Ex Para Stephen Hood, pictured here drinking after the battle of Goose Green, has been found dead in his car

Iconic Hero Of Goose Green Kills Himself Hours After Argentina Reignites Hostilities: 'Sabre-Rattling' May Have Triggered Para's Post-Traumatic Stress -- Daily Mail

* Ex-Para who featured Goose Green victory footage found dead in car
* Stephen Hood died just hours after row over islands reignited
* His widow has now urged politicians to stop their sabre-rattling

A Falklands War hero distressed by recent flare-ups in hostilities between Britain and Argentina has been found dead in his car.

Ex-Para Stephen Hood – who featured in iconic film footage celebrating victory at the battle of Goose Green – died just hours after Argentine president Cristina de Kirchner reignited the sovereignty row over the islands. Yesterday, his distraught widow Carol urged politicians to stop their sabre-rattling for the sake of traumatised veterans.

She told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What do the politicians achieve with their to-ing and fro-ing? Nothing. They should let it lie and leave it to the people of the Falkland Islands to determine their future.

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My Comment: Our prayers are with his family and loved ones.

British PM: UK Will Fight For The Falklands

UK Will Fight For The Falklands, Says David Cameron -- The Guardian

Prime minister emphasises government's strong resolve after Argentinian president ramped up claims on sovereignty

David Cameron has insisted Britain will fight to keep the Falklands as Argentina ramps up the rhetoric against UK sovereignty.

The prime minister said the government's resolve was "extremely strong" and stressed the islands' military defences, days after Argentina's president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner accused Britain of colonialism.

Fernández claimed her country had been forcibly stripped of "Las Malvinas" in an open letter to Cameron, which was printed as an advertisement in the Guardian on Thursday.

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More News On The British PM's Remarks That The U.K. Will Defend The Falkland Islands

Would we fight for the Falklands again? Of course we would: Cameron says Britain is prepared for another conflict with Argentina if islands are threatened -- Daily Mail
PM: We’ll go to war if the Argies invade -- The Sun
Cameron would use force over Falklands -- The Australian/AFP
Cameron warning to Argentina: We'd send second task force to keep Falklands -- Mirror
UK will fight to keep the Falklands – PM Cameron -- RT
UK Will Fight To Keep The Falklands, Says PM Cameron -- Eurasia Review
Argentina Repudiates U.K.’s Cameron on Falkland Islands Defense -- Bloomberg Businessweek

British Prime Minister David Cameron: 'We'll Do Everything To Protect The Falklands'

'We'll Do Everything To Protect The Falklands': Cameron refuses to rule out military Action After Desperate Argentine President Places Newspaper Ads On '180th Anniversary Of Colonialism' -- Daily Mail

* Open letter appears in the Guardian and Independent newspapers
* Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says UK 'stole' the islands
* Outburst marks the anniversary of the islands becoming British territory

David Cameron refused to rule out military action yesterday as he rebuked Argentina over its grab for the Falkland Islands.

The Prime Minister vowed the UK would ‘do everything’ to protect the interests of the territory after Buenos Aires demanded he hand power to them.

He said the sovereignty of the Falklands would be up to those who lived there when they hold a referendum in March.

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More News On The Falklands

Burn us Aires: Argies set fire to British flag and Sun ad -- The Sun
Falklands row: Sun takes out advert in Argentinian newspaper -- The Guardian
Fury in Argentina after British tabloid places advert in Buenos Aires newspaper saying ‘Hands off the Falklands’ -- Daily Mail
Britain's top tabloid scolds Argentina over the Falklands -- Reuters
Britain, Argentina sparring again over the Falklands -- Washington Post
British Newspaper the Sun To Argentina’s President: ‘Hands Off’ the Falklands -- Times
Argentina Renews Dispute With Britain Over Falklands -- Voice of America
UK newspaper hits back over Argentinian claim to Falklands -- CNN

Tensions Over The Falklands Evident At The G20

David Cameron Refuses Falklands Letter From Cristina Kirchner -- The Guardian

PM describes Argentinian president's attempt to force A4 envelope into his hand during G20 summit as 'media stunt'

David Cameron and the Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner were involved in bruising verbal exchanges on the margins of the G20 on Tuesday as she tried to force a package into his hand marked "Un Malvinas".

Cameron refused to take the package believing, according to his aides, that she was involved in "a media stunt" – a belief strengthened by the presence of TV cameras filming the incident.

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More News On British-Argentina Tensions Over The Falklands At The G20 Summit

Falklands Islands dispute leads to awkward encounter at G-20 summit in Mexico -- Washington Post/AP
David Cameron confronts Fernandez over Falkland Islands -- BBC
Tensions over Falklands surface at G20 summit -- Reuters
PM Rejects Argentine Falklands Documents -- SKY News
British, Argentinian leaders clash over Falklands -- AFP
Pictured: The moment David Cameron refuses to accept letter marked 'Malvinas' from Argentine president as she confronts him over Falklands at G20 meeting -- Daily Mail
David Cameron and Argentinian President face off over Falklands at G20 summit -- The Telegraph

British Nuclear Submarine Sent To Falklands In Show Of Strength

HMS Talent. Wikipedia

British Nuclear Submarine Sent To Falklands In Show Of Strength As Tensions Rise Ahead Of 30th Anniversary Of Conflict -- The Daily Mail

A fearsome Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine is on its way to the Falklands as tensions simmer on the 30th anniversary of Britain's war with Argentina.

HMS Talent, armed with Tomahawk missiles, was despatched in a show of power after Argentina increased friction over the disputed islands with a host of inflammatory stunts.

The Trafalgar-class 'hunter-killer' vessel arrived in secrecy at a port in South Africa this week.

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My Comment: Argentina does not have the military resources to "take on" the British garrison in the Falklands. This British sub's presence is to just show the flag.

Major Gas Reserve Discovered Off The Falklands

The greater the number of discoveries around the Falkland Islands, the more economic it could become to develop the necessary infrastructure to extract the reserves. Photo: Reuters

Borders & Southern Makes 'Significant' Gas Discovery Off Falkland Islands -- The Telegraph

Explorer Borders & Southern has discovered "significant" gas condensate reserves south of the Falkland Islands, opening up a new and controversial oil and gas basin.

Shares in the Aim-listed company fell 32pc, to 89.5p, however, having almost doubled in value last week, amid rumours the company had struck crude oil. Gas condensate - a lighter, petrol-like substance - could be more challenging to extract commercially, analysts said, and data on the scale of the discovery are, at this stage, vague.

Borders & Southern said it would now conduct tests on samples of fluids recovered from the reservoir. "It is too early to give an accurate resource estimate," it said, but the rock was "likely to contain significant volumes".

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Update: Borders and Southern makes new Falklands discovery -- Reuters

My Comment: They were hoping for oil .... but this discovery is still big news, and is more proof that the Falklands are resource rich. This country is naturally not happy with this development.

Will Argentina Invade The Falklands Sometime In The Future?

Argentina To Invade Falklands After 30th Anniversary Furore Dies Down, Commander Warns -- The Telegraph

Argentina is likely to reinvade the Falklands once Britain drops its guard after the furore over the 30th anniversary events dies down, the former commander of British land forces has said.

In one of the starkest warnings over the islands’ future sovereignty Major Gen Julian Thompson said once the reinforced garrison and naval presence disappears at the end of this year Buenos Aires will look to repeat its 1982 action.

“The Argentines could invade and seize the Falkland Islands again,” he said in a speech to the Royal United Services Institute, the respected military think tank.

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My Comment: I have trouble seeing Argentina invade the Falklands in the near future .... they just do not have the military resources to accomplish it successfully. But .... in the far future .... who can tell what will be the status of Argentina's military .... and will the British military still be based in the Falklands.

Oil Tensions In The South Atlantic

A Desire Petroleum rig 90 miles off the Falklands. Photograph: Gary Clement/Reuters

Trouble Flares Over Oil That Lies Beneath The Falklands -- The Telegraph

Argentina’s legal move raises fears of battle over natural resources.

In the latest annual report of Falkland Oil and Gas, published last May, under the heading “Principal risks and uncertainties”, the company listed two risks to sharehol­ders investing in the £206m London-listed company.

Neither of those identified, however, warned investors of the underlying political risk – that the company may be caught up in a legal onslaught from the Argentine ­government directed firm and centre at the UK.

But as The Sunday Telegraph reveals today, that is the very real threat facing the industry at large - after a string of Briitsh and American banks received legal threats to that effect. The oil companies themselves have been left off the mailing list - at least for now.

Read more ....

My Comment: Maybe Argentina's concerns and Britain's hopes are misplaced.

Argentina Starts A Trade War Against Britain Over The Falklands

Argentina Threatens To Sue Banks Helping Falklands Oil Explorers As Trade War With Britain Escalates -- The Telegraph

A group of British and American banks have been threatened with legal action by the Argentine government for advising and writing research reports about companies involved in the Falkland Islands’ £1.6bn oil industry.


In what amounts to the start of a new trade war between the UK and Argentina, the banks - understood to include the Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays Capital and Goldman Sachs - have been warned they face criminal and civil action in the Argentine courts.

The threats were made in a series of letters sent to as many as 15 banks by the Argentine embassy in London over the last ten days.

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My Comment: These legal actions will not succeed .... Argentine President Cristina Kirchner is playing to her own domestic audience.

Argentina: Falkland Islands 'Will Belong To Argentina One Day'

Falkland Islands 'Will Belong To Argentina One Day' Says Minister -- The Telegraph

The Falkland Islands will belong to Argentina one day, according to the country's chairman of the foreign affairs committee.

But Daniel Filmus said Argentina would not try to take the disputed islands by force. "There's no suppression which lasts forever.

"It's just a matter of how much time it takes for it to be understood that there must be dialogue and the need to find a mechanism for diplomatic agreement to get us there," he told Radio Five Live.

Speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, which began on April 2 1982, Mr Filmus said Argentines "have enough patience and know what is right".

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My Comment: Maybe the Falkland Islands will belong to Argentina one day .... but not today.

Is Sean Penn's Support Of Argentina's Claims On The Falkland Islands A Big Issue?

'Britain Is Colonialist, Ludicrous And Archaic': Sean Penn Blasts UK For Refusing To Hand Over Falklands To Argentina -- Daily Mail

* Left-wing U.S. actor said he is 'firmly' on the side of the South Americans
* Explosive comments on day he met Argentine President Cristina Kirchner
* Tensions between Argentina and UK running high after Prince William's deployment to disputed islands
* Tory MP: 'He shows complete ignorance of the issue if he comes out with nonsensical statements like that'

Sean Penn has branded Britain 'colonialist' for its refusal to hand over the Falkland Islands to Argentina.

The notoriously left-wing actor said that the UK was being 'ludicrous and archaic’ by believing it could hold on to what he called ‘the Malvinas Islands of Argentina’.

Penn, who has no personal connection with the islands at all, added that diplomacy was needed to resolve the issue but that he was firmly on the side of the Argentinians.

His comments has incensed Britons, Falkland Islanders and the families of those who died in the war in the South Atlantic almost 30 years ago.

Read more ....

More News On Sean Penn's Support Of Argentina's Claims On The Falkland Islands

Sean Penn accuses Britain of 'colonialism' over Falklands -- The Telegraph
Sean Penn urges negotiations between UK and Argentina -- BBC
Sean Penn: Britain must drop colonialism, negogiate future of ‘Malvinas islands of Argentina’ -- Washington Post/AP
Sean Penn backs Argentina over Falkland Islands -- The Guardian
Sean Penn backs Argentina -- RTE

My Comment: I guess Sean Penn needs some publicity and a boost in the news media to make his voice still relevant. But on the issue of the Falkland Islands?!?!?!?!