Posted on 06/03/2014 8:04:42 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Argentina is planning to hijack British oil rigs near the Falkland Islands to stop them drilling in the disputed territory, according to defence sources who say that the country has purchased four new super-tugs to intercept oil platforms.
Writing for the Brazilian website Defesanet, analyst Roberto Lopes says it is "not true" that Argentina is only purchasing the tugs to replace older vessels.
"These vessels will be used to intercept the British and American oil platforms designated for travel to the Falklands when drilling starts in the Sea Lion oil field," he writes, adding: "the British will not allow oil exploration vessels travel to the Falklands without a military escort".
Oil reserves around the disputed islands are estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, and British attempts to extra the oil have aroused anger in Argentina.
The first oil production in the Sea Lion field is scheduled to start next spring. The field, located 135 miles north of the Falkland Islands will be drilled by British group Premier Oil.
When the oil starts flowing, it will be taxed at 26 percent, making the 3,000 Falkland Islanders one of the wealthiest communities on Earth.
The Islands presently belong to Britain, but are also claimed by Argentina. In 1982, the Argentine dictatorship of General Galtieri invaded and occupied the islands before the British government under Margaret Thatcher sent and expeditionary force and took them back.
Now that large oil reserves have been found in the waters surrounding the islands, Argentina has renewed its claim, wanting the oil wealth for itself.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Argentina has destroyed their own economy, again, and apparently wants to lose another war as a distraction.
Hopefully not until after the World Cup.
I guess we can start calling this the era of “tugboat diplomacy.”
The Royal Navy still maintains a decent enough attack submarine force. Those supertugs could easily be Belgrano’d, if they tried something like this.
Time for the traditional Argentine butt-kicking from the Brits. Unfortunately, the entire crop of current British leaders lacks the courage that Maggie Thatcher had in her pinky finger. So now would be a good time for Argentina to try to win one, for a change.
Argentina doesn’t have the sack to stand up to Britain. 5 Typhoons could keep the Argies at bay for months.
Got submarine??
Got torpedoes??
Remember the Phoenix?? (Gen. Belgradosmething)
Got submarine??
Got torpedoes??
Remember the Phoenix?? (Gen. Belgradosmething)
This threat is the wage of British weakness.
Oh, dear...
Ping
“Don’t make us come over there and kick your ass, again.”
The Argies still need to pay for "The Hand of God."
And our head Marxist would side with...?
Considering Putin and Argentine President Christina Fernandez have express mutual support for each other’s positions on Crimea and the Falklands, things might be different this time. Surely, any attempt by Argentina to cease control of the islands, or at least harrass oil platforms, would win support from Russia, Iran, Venezuela, etc.
Lest not forget that Obama at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia referred to the Islands as "Maldives". He meant the Malvinas which is the Spanish name for the Island while the Maldives is an Island in the Indian Ocean. A gaff widely joked about in UK and South America; however, the bottom line is Obama give credence to Argentina referring to the Island under its protectorate name!!!
That's true but Cameron would be delighted if Argentina volunteered to be the heavy in a wag the dog war. It would help him enormously to shore up his right flank if he could kick some foreign butt.
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