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Return Falklands to Argentina, says Chavez to Queen | |
| okay User ID: 897817  United Kingdom02/22/2010 04:54 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 897817 United Kingdom02/22/2010 04:56 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Return Falklands to Argentina, says Chavez to Queen Quoting: okay 897817Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has called on Queen Elizabeth II of Britain to leave the disputed Malvinas (Falklands) Island to Argentina, saying that the time of empires have long expired. "Look, England, how long are you going to be in Las Malvinas Queen of England, I'm talking to you... the time for empires are over, haven't you noticed? Return the Malvinas to the Argentine People," AFP quoted Chavez as saying in his weekly TV and Radio address "Alo Presidente" on Sunday. The Latin American leader warned that in the event of a war over the island, Argentina would not be alone. "The English are still threatening Argentina. Things have changed," Chavez continued, still addressing Queen Elizabeth II. "We are no longer in 1982. If conflict breaks out, be sure Argentina will not be alone like it was back then." The British claim over the archipelago is "anti-historic and irrational," said Chavez, asking "why the English speak of democracy but still have a queen?" The dispute over the Malvinas Island arose between Buenos Aires and London after Argentina found that Britain was planning drilling for oil near the islands that lie around 500 kilometers off the coast of Argentina and almost 13,000 kilometers away from the UK. Britain deems the southern Atlantic archipelago as part of its sovereign territories, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown reportedly hinting at a possible confrontation in the event of a clash. Earlier on Friday Chavez had also slammed the US and the UK for what he described as their 'oil hunger' that had sparked tensions over drilling plans near the Falklands or Las Malvinas. [link to www.presstv.ir] war soon folks Drilling for oil begins off the Falkland Islands A British rig has begun drilling for oil in the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands, despite strong opposition from Argentina. The platform has been towed to a point 100km (62 miles) north of the UK territory in the South Atlantic. Argentina claims sovereignty over what it calls the Islas Malvinas and has imposed shipping restrictions. UK Defence Minister Bill Rammell said the government had a "legitimate right" to build an oil industry in its waters. Desire Petroleum, which is carrying out the drilling, said operations had started on the Liz 14/19-A exploration well at 1415 GMT. Desire is an oil company and it's exploring for oil and not getting involved in what Argentina is saying about going to the UN. The rig is sitting firmly inside UK waters David Willie Desire Petroleum Islanders unworried by pressure Q&A: The Falklands oil row Oil boom or no boom? Have Your Say: How serious is row? In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, it said: "The well is being drilled to an estimated target depth of circa 3,500 metres (11,480 feet). "Drilling operations are expected to take approximately 30 days and a further announcement will be made once drilling is completed." Mr Rammell told the House of Commons the government would take "whatever steps [were] necessary" to protect the islands and that it had made Argentina "aware of that". Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said "no amount of intimidation" from Buenos Aires could alter what was a "fundamental issue of self-determination". Argentina has threatened to take "adequate measures" to stop British oil exploration in contested waters around the islands, and is seeking support from Latin American countries at a regional meeting in Mexico. It wants its neighbours also to impose restrictions on shipping in the area. Argentina can already count on support from President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who said Britain was being irrational and had to realise the "time for empires was over". Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has called for "Britain to return the territory of the Malvinas to its real owners - to return it to Argentina" on Venezuelan Telesur television. Argentina has long claimed the islands. It invaded the Falklands in 1982, before a UK taskforce seized back control in a short war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel. But it has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty. Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by the UK [link to news.bbc.co.uk] |
