Falkland Islands: The British Empire Strikes Back

The UK has interests, some of them innegotiable. That's the conclusion I can deduce after the Argentine-British mini-crisis initiated after the Desire Petroleum oil drilling announcement.

The Falkland Islands is an important issue for Argentina and Great Britain, these two nations feels this south atlantic islands as part of its territory and exploitation of strategic natural resources in this region is a sensible topic.

I can certainly say that what happend during the first months of 2010 was the highest tension between Argentina and Great Britain since the 1982 war, and the british policy on this matter seems to be as determined as is used to be in the early 80's.

Back in 1982 Argentina invaded the Islands and recovered sovereign on them, some people, including argentine government members thought the UK will never send troops to this distant territory located at a 14.000 km distance from London. We know what happend was the exact opposite, the UK supported by the NATO powers recovered the Islands after a 74 days war.

Nowadays, 28 years after the conflict the British interest in this archipelago remains the same, the following article published at dailymail.co.uk clearly explains how committed London is with the Falklands and how decided is this european nation to use, if necessary, the force to protect this overseas territory.

Argentina threatens to ban firms operating in the Falklands as Royal Navy sends attack submarine (dailymail.co.uk - March 17, 2010)

Argentina upped the ante over the Falkland Islands today by threatening to ban firms operating in the British colony.

Companies were warned they face having to choose between the Falklands and Argentina under proposed new legislation.

Argentine MPs are set to debate a bill imposing a 30-day deadline on firms to axe ties with the Falklands or face being kicked out of the south American country.

The move, led by Argentine cinema director and politician Pino Solanas, has the backing of the country's former Chancellor Rafael Bielsa.

Supporters of the new bill said they hoped to target firms like Barclays, a shareholder of British firm Desire Petroleum which is currently drilling for oil in the Falklands.

The search for oil has reignited the Falklands Islands dispute.

Today it was reported a Royal Navy attack submarine has been sent to the Falklands to boost security amid mounting speculation oil has been discovered.

The Ministry of Defence has refused to confirm the sub's presence there, saying it does not comment on submarine operations.

HMS Sceptre, a Swiftsure-class nuclear powered submarine, is said to have been sent from southern Africa to make Argentina think twice about laying serious claims to the Islands.

It is the oldest seagoing vessel in the Royal Navy.

The vessel is equipped with Spearfish anti-ship torpedoes and took three weeks to reach the Falklands.

The British military has four vessels stationed in the area on a routine, rotating basis: a Naval destroyer, a patrol vessel, a survey ship, and a Royal auxiliary ship.

HMS York, a Type 42 destroyer, is partolling off the island's capital of Port Stanley.

HMS Scott, a survey vessel, is also nearby and the fleet has air support from a squadron of RAF Typhoon fighter jets based on the islands.

If the report about the submarine is true, it would be an addition to routine forces there.

The submarine, which was built in 1978, is 82 metres long and is equipped with sonar, attack and search periscopes, collision avoidance radar and electronic warfare. In addition, she has five torpedo tubes capable of firing the Spearfish.

Desire Petroleum, currently drilling for oil, is expected to announce next week if it has had success.

In the past month Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has reasserted Argentina's claim to the Falklands and asked for the U.S. to intervene.

The Argentine government has also tabled a UN resolution condemning Britain for allowing oil exploration off the Falklands.

Former Argentine Chancellor Rafael Bielsa last night urged successor Jorge Taiana 'to do everything in his power to increase the cost of the search for oil'.

Experts claim there could be as much as 60 billion barrels of crude oil under Falkland's waters.

Argentina has renewed claims in recent weeks that Britain is illegally occupying the islands.

The archipelago, which it calls Las Malvinas, remains an emotive issue for people in Argentina. Bringing up the issue of sovereignty offers a way for a populist president to whip up public support.

Argentina has claimed the South Atlantic islands since Britain established its rule in the 19th century and invaded the Falklands in 1982.

After a two-month war, they were forced to withdraw their troops. But Argentines still maintain they have claim to the archipelago, which lies 300 miles from its coast.

In the past month, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has reasserted their claim and has objected to the British oil exploration.

She asked for the U.S. to intervene in the row, and secured backing from Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to open talks.

Both Britain and the Falklands governments have said there will be no negotiation over the islands and believe there is no issue to resolve.

The Argentine government has also tabled a UN resolution condemning Britain for allowing oil exploration off the Falklands.

President Kirchner issued a decree last month forcing ships sailing to the Falklands from Argentina to seek a permit after learning that the rig was to start drilling.

She has also secured backing from 32 South American nations supporting its claim that Britain has occupied the islands illegally since 1833.

The issue has been so emotive for her people that protests against British 'occupation' have been organised by former soldiers in Buenos Aires.

Last Wednesday, protesters carrying petrol bombs were stopped by police as they tried to storm the British Embassy in the city.

This morning, the Ministry of Defence would not discuss whether Sceptre had been deployed.

A spokesman said: 'We do not comment on submarine operations.'