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US 'ready to help' on Falklands US 'ready to help' on Falklands
(10 minutes later)
The US is ready to help Britain and Argentina resolve their dispute over the Falkland Islands, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.The US is ready to help Britain and Argentina resolve their dispute over the Falkland Islands, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.
Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falklands, which it calls the Malvinas.Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falklands, which it calls the Malvinas.
It has been angered by the UK's decision to begin drilling for oil under a seabed off the islands.It has been angered by the UK's decision to begin drilling for oil under a seabed off the islands.
Mrs Clinton said the row should be resolved between the two, but "if we can be of any help in facilitating such an effort, we stand ready to do so".Mrs Clinton said the row should be resolved between the two, but "if we can be of any help in facilitating such an effort, we stand ready to do so".
Ms Clinton spoke before she met Argentine President Cristina Fernandez as part of a tour of Latin America.Ms Clinton spoke before she met Argentine President Cristina Fernandez as part of a tour of Latin America.
She is also due to visit Chile - reeling from a massive earthquake which killed more than 700 people - Brazil, Costa Rica and Guatemala.She is also due to visit Chile - reeling from a massive earthquake which killed more than 700 people - Brazil, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
The AP news agency reported that at the meeting, Argentina asked for US help in resolving the dispute.The AP news agency reported that at the meeting, Argentina asked for US help in resolving the dispute.
"What we have requested is mediation as a friendly country of both Argentina and the United Kingdom," it quoted Ms Fernandez as saying."What we have requested is mediation as a friendly country of both Argentina and the United Kingdom," it quoted Ms Fernandez as saying.
After the meeting, Mrs Clinton agreed on the need for talks but did not spell out what the US role might be.After the meeting, Mrs Clinton agreed on the need for talks but did not spell out what the US role might be.
"We would like to see Argentina and the UK sit down and resolve the issues between them in a peaceful and productive way," she said."We would like to see Argentina and the UK sit down and resolve the issues between them in a peaceful and productive way," she said.
"We cannot make either one do so.""We cannot make either one do so."
Diplomatic offensiveDiplomatic offensive
Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana last week claimed that by drilling in the disputed waters, Britain was a committing a unilateral act contrary to international law.Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana last week claimed that by drilling in the disputed waters, Britain was a committing a unilateral act contrary to international law.
He asked United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to bring the UK into talks over the sovereignty of the islands.He asked United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to bring the UK into talks over the sovereignty of the islands.
The UK government says the islands have a "legitimate right" to develop an oil industry within their waters.The UK government says the islands have a "legitimate right" to develop an oil industry within their waters.
Britain has claimed sovereignty of the Falklands since 1833. The islanders are almost all of British descent. Britain has exercised sovereignty in the Falklands since 1833. The islanders are almost all of British descent.
Argentina says it has a right to the islands because it inherited them from the Spanish crown in the early 1800s.Argentina says it has a right to the islands because it inherited them from the Spanish crown in the early 1800s.
It invaded the islands in 1982, prompting the UK to seize back control in a seven-week war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel.It invaded the islands in 1982, prompting the UK to seize back control in a seven-week war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel.
The current Argentine government has ruled out any military action over the islands, but is stepping up a diplomatic offensive to try to pressure London into negotiations.The current Argentine government has ruled out any military action over the islands, but is stepping up a diplomatic offensive to try to pressure London into negotiations.