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Summit 'to back Argentine claim' Argentina wins Falklands backing
(about 1 hour later)
Latin American and Caribbean leaders at a summit in Mexico are reportedly set to back Argentina in its new row with the UK over the Falkland Islands. Latin American and Caribbean leaders at a summit in Mexico have backed Argentina in its new row with the UK over the Falkland Islands.
Summit host Mexican President Felipe Calderon was cited as saying they would back Argentina's "legitimate rights in its sovereignty dispute with the UK". Leaders of all 32 countries backed Argentine claims to the islands and condemned oil drilling operations that are already under way.
A resolution is due to be signed later on Tuesday.
The row erupted after a UK firm began drilling for oil off the Falkland Islands and Argentina objected.The row erupted after a UK firm began drilling for oil off the Falkland Islands and Argentina objected.
Buenos Aires has ruled out military action and is pursuing talks at the UN.
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner told the summit that Britain was carrying out a systematic violation of international law and said she was satisfied with the unanimous support, our correspondent Andy Gallacher reports from Cancun.
Argentina and Britain went to war over the South Atlantic islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas, in 1982, after Buenos Aires invaded them.Argentina and Britain went to war over the South Atlantic islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas, in 1982, after Buenos Aires invaded them.
UK forces wrested back control of the territory, held by Britain since 1833. UK forces wrested back control of the territory, held by Britain since 1833, during a seven-week war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel.
The current UK Defence Minister, Bill Rammell, has said his government will take whatever steps necessary to protect the islands.
But Buenos Aires has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty.
Drilling beginsDrilling begins
The Rio Group and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are holding their two-day meeting, which began on Monday, in order to form a new regional group which would include all nations in the Americas except the US and Canada.
It would serve as an alternative to the Organisation of American States, the main forum for regional affairs in the past 50 years.
Mr Calderon was quoted as saying a resolution had been agreed on Argentina's dispute with the British.
"We have approved a declaration in which leaders of countries and governments present here reaffirm their support for the Republic of Argentina's legitimate rights in its sovereignty dispute with the UK," his statement said.
Argentine foreign ministry spokesman Javier Porta was quoted by AFP news agency as saying all 32 countries at the summit had offered their support.
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has accused the UK government of ignoring international law by allowing a British oil exploration company to begin drilling near the islands.
The Ocean Guardian is in Falkland Islands waters
The British-contracted rig Ocean Guardian began drilling 100km (62 miles) north of the Falklands on Monday.The British-contracted rig Ocean Guardian began drilling 100km (62 miles) north of the Falklands on Monday.
Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the UN 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. The drilling operation in the disputed waters off the Falkland Islands could yield millions of barrels of oil and the British government says it will take all necessary measures to protect the archipelago.
It is due to raise the issue at the UN later this week. The Ocean Guardian is in Falkland Islands waters
During the seven-week war in 1982 over the Falklands, 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel were killed. But Buenos Aires has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty.
The Argentine foreign minister is due to meet with the UN Secretary General in New York as they continue their diplomatic offensive.
Also at the two-day summit of the Rio Group and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in Mexico, leaders agreed to set up a new regional body without the US and Canada.
The new bloc would be an alternative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), the main forum for regional affairs in the past 50 years.
What do you think of the regional support given to Argentina over the Falklands? Are you in the Falklands, Argentina or one of its regional neighbours? What do you think is the solution to the escalating row concerning the islands? Send us your comments using the form below.What do you think of the regional support given to Argentina over the Falklands? Are you in the Falklands, Argentina or one of its regional neighbours? What do you think is the solution to the escalating row concerning the islands? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions