April 01, 2016
PORT STANLEY, Falkland Islands (AP) — Lawmakers in the far-flung Falkland Islands are rejecting Argentina's claim that a recent decision by a U.N. commission strengthens the South American nation's claim over the archipelago.
Earlier this week, the Argentine government said that the U.N. commission on the limits of the continental shelf had sided with Argentina in a dispute with Great Britain going back decades. The government said the commission had ratified a 2009 Argentine report that fixed the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast.
On Monday, Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, previously chief of staff to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, posted a map on Twitter that showed the islands included in Argentina's continental shelf territory.
Like with everything related to the islands, even what the extension of territory would include is in dispute. The report itself has not been made public. The U.N. "has agreed to continental shelf extension for Argentina in those areas north of the Falklands Islands that are not the subject of competing claims," Mike Summers, one the local legislative assembly members that govern the British Overseas Territory, told The Associated Press during an interview on Thursday.
Summers added the decision "has no effect for the sovereign position of the Falklands." In 1982, Argentina invaded and was then routed by British troops. Saturday marks the 34th anniversary of the war. Friday night, Argentine veterans of the war planned to hold a vigil in Buenos Aires.
Islanders and the British government have long rejected Argentina's claims and refused to negotiate. While the commission's recommendation is non-binding, it adds more weight to Argentina's contention.
More than just bitter politics, sovereignty over the islands could become very important because of oil exploration in the surrounding waters. After Argentina's announcement, share prices of several oil companies briefly dipped.
Argentine lawmakers hailed what the decision could mean for government revenues. On his Facebook page, President Mauricio Macri said the extension will "permit us to defend the resources of our sea, property of each and every Argentine."
Stephen Luxton, mineral resources director for the Falkland Islands government, said the latest chapter in the longstanding dispute would have no impact on drilling. "It is very much business as usual for all of our licensees," he said. "It will have no effect on any resources in the Falkland Islands."
PORT STANLEY, Falkland Islands (AP) — Lawmakers in the far-flung Falkland Islands are rejecting Argentina's claim that a recent decision by a U.N. commission strengthens the South American nation's claim over the archipelago.
Earlier this week, the Argentine government said that the U.N. commission on the limits of the continental shelf had sided with Argentina in a dispute with Great Britain going back decades. The government said the commission had ratified a 2009 Argentine report that fixed the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast.
On Monday, Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, previously chief of staff to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, posted a map on Twitter that showed the islands included in Argentina's continental shelf territory.
Like with everything related to the islands, even what the extension of territory would include is in dispute. The report itself has not been made public. The U.N. "has agreed to continental shelf extension for Argentina in those areas north of the Falklands Islands that are not the subject of competing claims," Mike Summers, one the local legislative assembly members that govern the British Overseas Territory, told The Associated Press during an interview on Thursday.
Summers added the decision "has no effect for the sovereign position of the Falklands." In 1982, Argentina invaded and was then routed by British troops. Saturday marks the 34th anniversary of the war. Friday night, Argentine veterans of the war planned to hold a vigil in Buenos Aires.
Islanders and the British government have long rejected Argentina's claims and refused to negotiate. While the commission's recommendation is non-binding, it adds more weight to Argentina's contention.
More than just bitter politics, sovereignty over the islands could become very important because of oil exploration in the surrounding waters. After Argentina's announcement, share prices of several oil companies briefly dipped.
Argentine lawmakers hailed what the decision could mean for government revenues. On his Facebook page, President Mauricio Macri said the extension will "permit us to defend the resources of our sea, property of each and every Argentine."
Stephen Luxton, mineral resources director for the Falkland Islands government, said the latest chapter in the longstanding dispute would have no impact on drilling. "It is very much business as usual for all of our licensees," he said. "It will have no effect on any resources in the Falkland Islands."
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