Argentina Calls For
Dialogue With Britain Over Disputed Islands
BUENOS AIRES - Argentina on Saturday pushed
for a negotiated solution to a diplomatic
row with Britain after Britain decided to
launch oil and gas exploration in the
disputed Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.
Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said
in Mexico, where he is attending a Rio Group
summit, that Britain should "sit down and
have a dialogue about sovereignty" to settle
the dispute.
Taiana is also to meet with UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday to
urge talks.
Argentina called Britain's planned
hydrocarbon exploration in the north of the
Malvinas (Falkland) Islands "a unilateral
act of aggression" and Argentine President
Cristina Fernandez signed a decree limiting
maritime transit between the continental
territory and the islands.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband
said on Thursday that the exploration was
"completely in accordance with international
law." But British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown said on Friday in London that he was
"confident" diplomacy could resolve a row
over the disputed islands.
Argentina and Britain have been at odds over
the sovereignty of the Malvinas (Falkland)
Islands for decades, and their disputes led
to a 74-day war between them in 1982, which
ended in the defeat of Argentina. |
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