Argentina Claims Ownership of the Falklands.

 

February 23, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - The British Desire Petroleum Company has stated drilling operations from an oil- rig off the coast of Falklands in a move that would certainly raise the level of tensions between Argentina and the UK.

 

According to Buenos Aires, the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina and the UK is illegally occupying the islands. The British company says it would take approximately 30 days to complete the drilling operation with a green light from London. Last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stood in support of Argentinean government, as he demanded an immediate end to the occupation of the Falklands by the British. He told the UK to, ‘get out of there and stop playing empire.’

 

There are an estimated 60 billion barrels of proven oil reserves near the islands, but the actual amount of recoverable oil is far less than the reserve amount. The company spokesman told British media that the company is involved in oil exploration and is not getting involved in political disputes with the government of Argentina.

 

Argentina in 1982 tried to reclaim the Falklands but stopped the military operation before the situation could have gotten out of control. The Flaklands are situated about 450 km from Argentina’s southern coast.