This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8529605.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Leaders 'back claim on Falklands' | Leaders 'back claim on Falklands' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Latin American and Caribbean leaders have backed Argentina's claim over the Falklands, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has said. | Latin American and Caribbean leaders have backed Argentina's claim over the Falklands, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has said. |
At a regional summit in Cancun, Mexico, a document has reportedly been drafted giving Argentina unanimous support. | At a regional summit in Cancun, Mexico, a document has reportedly been drafted giving Argentina unanimous support. |
It comes a day after a British oil rig began drilling for oil off the islands, a move Argentina formally objected to. | It comes a day after a British oil rig began drilling for oil off the islands, a move Argentina formally objected to. |
The UK's defence minister said the government would take whatever steps necessary to protect the Falklands. | |
Argentina and Britain went to war over the South Atlantic islands in 1982, after Buenos Aires invaded the archipelago. | Argentina and Britain went to war over the South Atlantic islands in 1982, after Buenos Aires invaded the archipelago. |
The conflict ended with UK forces wresting back control of the islands, held by Britain since 1833. | The conflict ended with UK forces wresting back control of the islands, held by Britain since 1833. |
No official statement has been made in Cancun, but Mexican President Felipe Calderon reportedly said a document had been drawn up offering Buenos Aires full support in its territorial dispute with London. | No official statement has been made in Cancun, but Mexican President Felipe Calderon reportedly said a document had been drawn up offering Buenos Aires full support in its territorial dispute with London. |
The Ocean Guardian is in Falkland Islands waters | The Ocean Guardian is in Falkland Islands waters |
The Argentine president accused the British government of ignoring international law by allowing a British oil exploration company to begin drilling near the islands. | The Argentine president accused the British government of ignoring international law by allowing a British oil exploration company to begin drilling near the islands. |
She said: "I think the important thing is that we have achieved very strong support, something that legitimates our claims fundamentally against the new petroleum activity." | She said: "I think the important thing is that we have achieved very strong support, something that legitimates our claims fundamentally against the new petroleum activity." |
The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Cancun says that any broad agreement at the summit could put more pressure on the British government in what has become an escalating diplomatic row. | The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Cancun says that any broad agreement at the summit could put more pressure on the British government in what has become an escalating diplomatic row. |
'Return the Malvinas' | 'Return the Malvinas' |
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reiterated his support for Argentina. | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reiterated his support for Argentina. |
"We demand, and I think all of us should do the same, the withdrawal of the submarine platform, and that the English government... give that land back," he said. | "We demand, and I think all of us should do the same, the withdrawal of the submarine platform, and that the English government... give that land back," he said. |
Before leaving for the summit, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called for "Britain to return the territory of the Malvinas to its real owners - to return it to Argentina" on Venezuelan Telesur television. | Before leaving for the summit, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called for "Britain to return the territory of the Malvinas to its real owners - to return it to Argentina" on Venezuelan Telesur television. |
Leaders at the summit, between the Rio Group and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), are also said to have discussed plans for a new pan-American alliance which would exclude Canada and the United States. | Leaders at the summit, between the Rio Group and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), are also said to have discussed plans for a new pan-American alliance which would exclude Canada and the United States. |
The new grouping would serve as an alternative to the Organisation of American States, the main forum for regional affairs in the past 50 years. | The new grouping would serve as an alternative to the Organisation of American States, the main forum for regional affairs in the past 50 years. |
The British rig Ocean Guardian began drilling 100km (62 miles) north of the Falklands on Monday, despite fierce opposition from Argentina. | The British rig Ocean Guardian began drilling 100km (62 miles) north of the Falklands on Monday, despite fierce opposition from Argentina. |
Desire Petroleum, which is carrying out the drilling, said operations had started on the Liz 14/19-A exploration well at 1415 GMT. | Desire Petroleum, which is carrying out the drilling, said operations had started on the Liz 14/19-A exploration well at 1415 GMT. |
Argentina claims sovereignty over what it calls the Islas Malvinas and has imposed shipping restrictions. | Argentina claims sovereignty over what it calls the Islas Malvinas and has imposed shipping restrictions. |
But UK Defence Minister Bill Rammell said the government had a "legitimate right" to build an oil industry in its waters. | But UK Defence Minister Bill Rammell said the government had a "legitimate right" to build an oil industry in its waters. |
Mr Rammell said the UK would take "whatever steps necessary" to protect the islands and that it had made Argentina "aware of that". | Mr Rammell said the UK would take "whatever steps necessary" to protect the islands and that it had made Argentina "aware of that". |
Argentina has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty. | Argentina has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty. |
During the seven-week war in 1982 over the Falklands, 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel were killed. | During the seven-week war in 1982 over the Falklands, 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel were killed. |
Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by the UK. | Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by the UK. |
It is due to raise the issue at the UN later this week. | It is due to raise the issue at the UN later this week. |