Argentine decree limits British shipping near Falkland/Malvinas Islands

The government of Argentina has upped the pressure on England in the dispute over the South Atlantic islands known variously as Falkland or Malvinas by decreeing that all maritime navigation in Argentine territorial waters, or between Argentina and the islands, must receive prior authorization. This occurs just as British petroleum companies begin to drill for petroleum in the ocean approximately 100 kilometers north of the islands. The decree will make any such exploration activities more expensive and difficult.

The Argentine vice chancellor, Victorio Taccetti, admitted that was exactly the objective. “The decree is part of a strategic defense of our legitimate rights [to the islands], which are systematically disregarded by the British government,” he declared. 

England and Argentina have long disputed ownership of the islands (two large ones and a total of over 700     small ones). Since 1833 they have been English (Argentina had control of them from 1820 to 1833). In 1982, the two countries fought a two-month long war     over them. The population totals 3,140 and one of the problems that Argentina faces is that the inhabitants     are almost unanimous in wanting to retain British citizenship.

Meanwhile, yesterday in Cancun, Mexico, at the Latin American and Caribbean summit (CALC) the 33 presidents, including Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, signed a document supporting the Argentine position, recognizing that Argentina owns the islands.