Falklands war of words heats up as Argentina files criminal charges against UK oil firms

THE DIPLOMATIC row over the Falkland Islands took a dramatic turn tonight after Argentina filed criminal charges against British oil firms exploring in waters near the territory.

Piper at Falklands gravesideGetty

Chinook helicopters and upgraded defence missiles will be sent to the Falklands

In the latest swipe over the sovereignty of the islands, British ambassador Dr John Freeman was summoned to the Argentinian Foreign Office where he was told that legal proceedings would begin today.

It came just hours after his counterpart was called to the UK Foreign Office to explain recent threats over oil explorations and criticism about the British Government's plan to boost defences on the South Atlantic islands.

Ambassador Alicia Castro and Argentinian president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner last week warned that oil firms could be prosecuted if they start work in the waters around the islands without formal permission from Argentina.

In a statement today, the Argentinian foreign ministry said it "will file criminal charges today against companies conducting hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Argentinian continental shelf".

It claimed that oil firms working in the waters around the islands without formal permission from Argentina were "violating" UN resolutions about the territory "while a solution to the controversy is still pending".

Agentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner WikiCC

Agentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

Britain last week dismissed the threat of prosecution against oil and gas firms.

The comments came after three British companies - Premier Oil, Rockhopper Exploration and Falkland Oil & Gas - announced that they had found oil and gas in a remote field north of the islands, which are claimed by Argentina.

We object strongly to recent statements by the Argentine president

Foreign Office official spokesman

The Argentine foreign ministry said it also questioned Dr Freeman about recent claims that the UK spied on Argentina over concerns it would launch an attempt to reclaim the Falkland Islands.

Documents were released by American whistleblower Edward Snowden last week, according to media reports.

The statement said: "The Argentinian deputy foreign minister Eduardo Zuain summoned the British Ambassador, John Freeman, to demand explanations over the silence of the British government following Edward Snowden's disclosures published by The Intercept regarding acts of mass surveillance targeted against Argentina.

"According to this media outlet, these acts were carried out in response to growing international pressure to resolve the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas (Falklands)."

It added: "...in contrast to the British belligerence, Argentina affirms that only through dialogue and negotiations, by implementing (UN resolutions), will (sic) put an end to the anachronistic colonial situation that has been going on for over 182 years."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime areas, nor about the Falkland Islanders' right to decide their own future.

"We object strongly to recent statements by the Argentine president and the Argentine ambassador to London and so summoned the ambassador to account for these."

Last month, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said two Chinook helicopters and an upgraded surface-to-air missile system will be part of a new defence package for the Falkland Islands.

Ms Fernandez de Kirchner's latest comments come almost 33 years to the day since the start of the 1982 Falklands War.

She said: "International law and dialogue, not militarisation, are the path to a reunion and sovereignty.

"We will see the islands form part of our territory again. It's not just wishful thinking."

The Falklands Explained

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