Falklands : FALKLANDS OIL: The Argentines should be talking to us
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 25.05.2010 (Article Archived on 08.06.2010)
British Ambassador in Buenos Aires Shan Morgan has been given an ultimatum to deliver a formal reply to the complaint that recently appointed British Prime Minister David Cameron had made over the strict control and restrictions imposed by the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on all cargo navigating between Argentina and Malvinas Islands by 12pm on Monday, 24 May 2010.
FALKLANDS OIL: The Argentines should be talking to us
An Editorial by J. Brock (FINN)
British Ambassador in Buenos Aires Shan Morgan has been given an ultimatum to deliver a formal reply to the complaint that recently appointed British Prime Minister David Cameron had made over the strict control and restrictions imposed by the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on all cargo navigating between Argentina and Malvinas Islands by 12pm on Monday, 24 May 2010.
What can she say but what she is instructed to by HMG. One item HMG approved via the Privy Council was our Constitution that came into force on 01 January 2009. It sets out the fact that we as Falkland Islanders have the right to determine our own future. Part of that future is the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in our waters.
It is within the remit of the Falkland Islands Government to issue exploration licences and, when the time comes, licences to exploit resources found. As such, the Argentine Government should be voicing their concerns to us and not to HMG, whose Falklands’ remits are foreign affairs and defence.
We realise that talking to us means that Argentina recognises our right to self determination as enshrined in the UN Charter. This is why they deliberately target HMG for talks about Falklands’ sovereignty. However, this is wholly wrong and results in the pat answer given to Argentine diplomats and Government Officials every time they bring up the subject to UK diplomats and other Government Officials.
And there is no use asking the United States to mediate as US State Department spokesman, Philip Crowley said on Monday, “The US will not act as mediator in the Falklands issue. The issue is between Argentina and the UK. I currently do not see any role for the US unless both parties request it.”
Until Falkland Islanders are recognised as a people with self determination the stand-off will continue in that Argentina will ignore our rights and Britain will uphold them. What the US needs to recognise is that ultimately the hydrocarbons problem is between Argentina and the Falkland Islands. All involved parties need to be talking to FIG in the first instance and HMG to be kept informed through Government House.
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