US refuses to back Britain over Falkland oil drilling dispute

The US refused to back British claims to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands yesterday as the diplomatic row over oil drilling in the South Atlantic intensified in London, Buenos Aires and at the UN.

Despite Britain’s close alliance with the US, the Obama Administration is determined not to be drawn into the issue. It has also declined to back Britain’s claim that oil exploration near the islands is sanctioned by international law, saying that the dispute is strictly a bilateral issue. Argentina appealed to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, last night to intervene in the dispute, a move Britain adamantly opposes.

“The Secretary General knows about the issue. He is not happy to learn that the situation is worsening,” Jorge Taiana, the Argentine Foreign Minister, said after meeting Mr Ban in New York.

“We have asked the Secretary General, within the framework of his good offices, to stress to Britain the need to abstain from further unilateral acts.”

A top UN aide acknowledged, however, that Mr Ban would not be able to mediate because of Britain’s opposition.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant, Britain’s Ambassador to the UN, said: “As British ministers have made clear, the UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands . . . We are also clear that the Falkland Islands Government is entitled to develop a hydrocarbons industry within its waters, and we support this legitimate business in Falklands’ territory.”

Senior US officials insisted that Washington’s position on the Falklands was one of longstanding neutrality. This is in stark contrast to the public backing and vital intelligence offered by President Reagan to Margaret Thatcher once she had made the decision to recover the islands by force in 1982.

“We are aware not only of the current situation but also of the history, but our position remains one of neutrality,” a State Department spokesman told The Times. “The US recognises de facto UK administration of the islands but takes no position on the sovereignty claims of either party.”

Veterans of the Falklands conflict have cast doubts over whether Britain could fend off an Argentine invasion if it happened again. With Argentina and the UK arguing over oil drilling just off the South Atlantic islands, fears have been raised that tensions could escalate.

Major General Nick Vaux, who commanded Bickleigh based 42 Commando Royal Marines during the war, said: “I would be very doubtful that we could recapture the Falkands like we did last time. We simply don’t have the resources that we had back in 1982.

Tags:  atlantic, britain, dispute, drilling, falkland, islands, oil, US