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Sunday, 19 February 2012

Argentina are slowly laying claim to the biggest natural resource in the world, illegally.

 This is a most frightening article and, as I know the author, I believe every word he writes. I can't recommend enough that you read his full article.

Ampers


J P Floru: The Falklands are small fry compared to Antarctica

DSC_0877The Falklands are small fry compared to Antarctica. Antarctica hides vast mineral deposits under its icy carpet and its continental shelf. Emotional and human interest keeps the Falklands in the news, while far more important Antarctica is quietly forgotten in the UK. This is strange, as we have the oldest claim on its territory. At present, Antarctica belongs to nobody, even though seven countries claim parts of it. The claims of Britain, Chile and Argentina overlap and include the most hospitable part of it: the Antarctic Peninsula

Both Argentina and Chile have been increasing their military and civilian presence in the Antarctic Peninsula for many years; while Britain has been decreasing its presence and has been cutting back on the Royal Navy. And yet, militarising Antarctica is expressly forbidden by Article 1 of the Antarctic Treaty 1959, of which Argentina is a co-signatory. President Cristina de Kirchner, who is currently accusing the UK of militarising the Falklands, stated in July 2008 that she was keen on militarising Antarctica. Two months ago the Argentinian Air Force bought Russian helicopters for use in Antarctica.

Under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, all territorial claims remain frozen. The whole of Antarctica is to be used as a continent for scientific research. In the light of the increasing scramble for fossil fuels and minerals this position is untenable in the medium to long term. At some point the seven claimants are bound to reach some sort of agreement. Both Argentina and Chile are trying to manipulate the future by encouraging babies to be born at their bases: establishing a native population would help their claim under international law. Children in Chile and Argentina are taught in school that they own Antarctica. Chilean and Argentinian maps show the Antarctic Peninsula as their territory.


Read Jean-Paul's full article here.
Written by Andrew Ampers Taylor at 8:56 am
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