The Guardian.
Britain put itself on a collision course with Argentina over disputed sovereignty of the Falkland Islands when it gave explicit support to a £600m plan to develop oil reserves in the South Atlantic on Wednesday.
Barely three weeks since the two countries clashed over the issue at a G20
summit and 30 years on from military conflict, the Foreign Office
announced the hydrocarbons exploration was a legitimate business.
The government's backing for Premier Oil's
move to buy a 60% stake in a licence to explore and develop oil off the
Falklands will infuriate Argentina, which has threatened criminal and
civil charges against firms operating in the disputed area.
But a
Foreign office spokesman said: "We have been unequivocal in our support
for the people of the Falkland Islands as they seek to expand their
economy. This [drilling] is a core principle of self-determination, and
one which we are determined to uphold."
