Posted on 04/29/2005 6:42:16 PM PDT by blam
Argentina protests at Falklands link to EU
By Seamus Mirodan in Buenos Aires
(Filed: 30/04/2005)
Argentina has voiced outrage at the inclusion of the Falkland Islands as British territory in the draft EU constitution.
"We are perturbed, we reject this thoroughly, but it is not a new issue and we will have to fight about it for years to come," said foreign minister, Rafael Bielsa.
Argentina has complained to Brussels and ordered its ambassadors in the 25 EU capitals to issue protests.
London wants to see the Falklands permanently lodged in an annexe to the EU constitution as part of "British Antarctic Territory".
Argentina fears that what has traditionally been a bilateral dispute would then become continental.
An EU spokesman confirmed there would be no change in the document and officials insisted that the territorial references were the same as in previous treaties, the most recent being the 2000 Nice Treaty.
Argentina has maintained its claim to the islands, which have been under British rule since 1833. They were invaded by Argentina in 1982, and in reply Britain sent a task force to reclaim them. Some 649 Argentine and 255 British troops were killed in the conflict.
Argentina's diplomats have stood before the UN decolonisation committee almost every year since 1948 requesting recognition of its sovereignty over the islands.
Indeed the wish to gain control can only have been strengthened after Desire Petroleum said last week that at least one billion barrels of oil could lie in the North Falklands basin, an area which is attracting increased international interest due to the rising price of world oil.
The EU is currently battling to get the draft constitution approved by member nations, many of whom could reject the document in referendums during the coming months.
The Falklands are named in the draft EU treaty under an "association agreement" for overseas dependencies.
I guess the Argentina want another can of Whoop opened on them. I wonder if Blair would respond like Lady Thatcher did?
Hey Argentina,
Feeling a little froggy?
Just give a little jump and have Britton kick your ass again, you stupids.
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