Britain vs. Argentina over the Falklands

By Elizabeth Cutbirth

Beginning on the 22 of February a British oil company, Desire Petroleum, began drilling off the shores of the Falkland Islands. There is estimated to be 60billion barrels in this area. This action has inflamed Argentina and Britain in a debate over sovereignty of the Falklands.

32 Nations in Latin America have backed Argentina in the Rio Group Summit stating that Great Britain is neglecting international law by permitting drilling to begin. During the summit, it was decided that this regional body would exclude the U.S. and Canada as well. Argentina has made appeals to the U.N to facilitate talks.The U.N however, would have little to no power in intervention without the security council because the U.K can make significant vetos on resolutions. Some of the Latin American countries have expressed their frustration with the U.N, and the West's power within the international organization.

the UK's permanent representative to the UN, reiterated British claims to sovereignty over the Falkland islands, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands.

We may be seeing a repetition of history, because Argentina and Britain fought over the islands in a short war of 1982 which cost more than a thousand lives. Thatcher's U.K won the war then, and gave the islands self-government and devolution has occurred since.


The U.S. wants to imrpove relations with latin american countries without alienating Britain so it is fairly neutral on this issue. It is committed to having both the two countries peacefully resolve the issue in discussion.




http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/falklands

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/02/clinton-us-britain-argentina-falklands-oil