Falklands nationalistic row aimed at rattling oil investors

Falklands row aimed at rattling investors

A developing Argentine-British row over the Falklands prospecting for oil and gas offshore may be part of a diplomatic strategy by Buenos Aires to rattle investors who are pouring millions into the project, analysts said.

Political temperatures have been rising after Argentina revived its campaign for sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory.

Britain and Argentina fought a war over the islands after Argentina invaded the territories in 1982. Britain retained control but Argentina says it has sovereignty over the islands.

In a further diplomatic escalation, Argentina summoned the British envoy in Buenos Aires to deliver a stiff rejoinder to London over the scheduled start of drilling for hydrocarbons in the waters off Falkland Islands.

The Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry said the area earmarked for drilling was part of the Argentine continental shelf and therefore Argentina's sovereign territory is currently under "illegitimate British occupation."

The picture shown here incorporates the Coat of Arms for the Falkland Islands with the motto 'Desire the Right'