Posted on 06/04/2012 7:02:26 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
The Argentine foreign ministry on Monday declared "illegal and clandestine" the activities of Desire Petroleum, Falkland Oil and Gas, Rockhopper Exploration, Borders and Southern Petroleum, and Argos Resources on the grounds that they are drilling in Argentine waters.
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said the companies were operating "in a sovereign area of the Argentine nation and as such fall within its specified laws and rules". The companies "are not authorised by the Argentine government under law 17.319 on hydrocarbons", she added.
According to the Argentine foreign ministry, her declaration opened the way for the "immediate launch" of criminal proceedings.
However, the UK Government said the moves were the "latest attempts to damage the economic livelihoods" of the islands and said it would work with any company potentially affected to help them deal with the practical implications.
"Hydrocarbon exploration in the Falklands is a legitimate commercial venture," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Thanks MinorityRepublican.
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