Argentina on Friday defended its decision to take legal action against companies exploring for oil off the Falkland Islands, the latest twist in a tense sovereignty dispute with Britain.
Last week, the Argentine government said it had launched legal proceedings against three British firms — Rockhopper Exploration, Premier Oil, and Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd — and two from the US, Noble Energy and Edison International.
“Argentina will use the full force of national and international law to prevent Argentine resources from being exploited,” Argentine Secretary for Matters Relating to the Malvinas Daniel Filmus said.
Britain and Argentina fought a 74-day war over the Falklands in 1982, which killed 649 Argentine troops, 255 British service personnel and three islanders.
Argentina claims it inherited the remote South Atlantic islands, which it calls the Malvinas, from Spain when it gained independence.
However, Britain says it has historically ruled them and that the islanders should have the right to self-determination.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Friday accused Argentina of “bullying” by taking legal action.
“It is an outrageous piece of bullying and threatening against the Falkland Islanders’ perfect right to develop their own economic resources,” Hammond said. “Argentina needs to stop this kind of behavior and start acting like a responsible member of the international community.”
Filmus and Argentine Ambassador to Britain Alicia Castro said they were shocked by British Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon’s claim last month that Argentina posed a threat to the archipelago.
Fallon announced that the Falklands’ military defenses would be boosted with a ￡180 million (US$269 million) program over 10 years in response to the “continuous intimidation” from Argentina.
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