New Tensions Between the UK and Argentina Arise Over Oil

An old tension between Britain and Argentina has returned over the disputed Falkland Islands. The issue arose over a discussion among the Mercosur countries (the commercial alliance created in 1991 between South American states such as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, then enlarged to the other South American countries as associated , except Venezuela which admission has to be yet ratified by Paraguay) about the adoption of a resolution that would prevent ships that fly the flag (which they called "illegal") of the Falkland Islands to dock at their ports . This is a move of solidarity with Argentina, which has already adopted this policy. The British Foreign Office expressed concern for what seems like an act which aims to isolate the inhabitants of the Falklands and undermine their right to self-determination. A sort of trading bloc. The unanimous condemnation comes from the whole British political world, even the members of the "shadow" government. Politically the Falkland Islands (archipelago of two main islands and 778 smaller) are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, with the Queen as the supreme authority and the Governor who is the representative of the Monarch in the Island. The Government of the Falkland Islands consists of the Governor, the Chief Executive, the Legislative Assembly composed of 8 members (there are no political parties as the members are all elected as independents) and the Executive Council. The key concepts expressed in the Constitution, reformed in 2009, are those of: self-determination, internal self-government and British sovereignty (to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory). The name “Falkland” derives from the act of thanksgiving by the navigator John Strong, the first in 1690 to land on those lands, to the Treasurer of the Royal Navy Viscount Falkland. Instead the name Malvinas, as it is identified by Argentines, comes from the French "Les isles Malouines" in reference to the port of St.Malo: in 1764 the French established the first settlement on the islands (which later gave way to Spain, under the jurisdiction of Buenos Aires, then a Spanish colony); the British, who had discovered the islands, settled the following year (1765). Although the British have almost continuously ruled the Falklands, Argentine claims were based on the fact that historically, after independence from Spain, all the possessions of this country in Latin America had to pass to Argentina (although the Spanish influence on the islands has always been relative). The tensions erupted in 1982 with the famous war with Great Britain, caused by the invasion of Falkland by the Argentinian army of President Galtieri, lasted from 2nd April to 14th June, which caused 900 deaths and ended with the retreat of South American country. Only in 1990 resumed diplomatic relations between the two nations. But these evidently are not so peaceful. Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, thanked the support of the Mercosur countries, said that this should not be a vindication of his country on the islands, rather a message to the United Kingdom to begin negotiations with the United Nations on the status of those lands. But what does it matter, one wonders, a distant archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, 650 kilometers from the coast of South America, with 2,500 inhabitants (to add to the 1,700 military and civilians living in the base of Mount Pleasant), just over half the size of Wales and lives almost exclusively on fishery (which constitutes 60% of the Gross Domestic Product and 35% of income)? The answer seems obvious: but oil, of course. Perhaps it is not very well known, but in 2002 the Government of the Falklands began to issue licenses for the exploration of offshore waters around the archipelago, on the hypothesis that there might be chances of the existence of oil and gas deposits. Since then, five British companies have been created with the exclusive aim to make surveying and appropriate drilling. In particular, the "Borders & Southern" has obtained licenses for about 20,000 square kilometers in the South Falkland Basin and the "Falkland Oil and Gas Limited" for the South and East Basins, the "Desire Petroleum" and "Rockhopper Exploration" for the North Falkland Basin. The early years were spent in carrying out seismic and electromagnetic surveys , in order to identify some "prospects", ie the area with geological features such as to foresee possible deposits of gas or oil. Around 2010 started drilling the first wells, mostly with negative results. In May 2010 came the first discovery of a deposit by the Rockhopper Exploration Plc in the North Falkland Basin area, "Sea Lion" prospect, and subsequently in December 2010, the second discovery by Desire Petroleum in the Rachel North prospect. These two successes, as well as confirm the existence of substantial reserves of hydrocarbons trapped, will surely lead to an intensification of research and then the influx of substantial financial funds. That while Argentina failed in its search for oil in the area called "the Malvinas Basin" between the Falklands and Tierra del Fuego. Just enough evidently to increase the resentment of Mrs. Kirchner, who, in his speech to Mercosur, said to act in self-defense against those “who are carrying on mineral and oil resources”. We don't need new tensions in the world. I am confident that eventually will win the political considerations and a reasonable behavior : but the economic implications that such decisions can induce could be helpful to find a solution. For example, only for Uruguay the turnover of the fishing industry is worth 300 million dollars annually; and the flag of the Falkland Islands is not only used by the islanders, but vessels of other countries use it for matters of chance, conducting their business with the license of that country. Especially Spanish. And just Spanish companies are already realizing the change of climate, with the increasingly pressures and threatens by the Argentinian Coast Guard on charges of illegally fishing in their waters. So much so that the new Iberian government will summon the Argentine ambassador in Madrid for an explanation.