ISLAMABAD: Argentina has initiated legal action against the United Kingdom regarding what it calls is illegal exploitation and exploration of Hydrocarbons in the Malvinas Islands, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands. The Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Islamabad tells The News that the latest legal action has been taken in relation with Argentine’s long-standing dispute with the United Kingdom regarding the Malvinas Islands in the South Atlantic and calls it modern day ‘colonialism’. Several prominent Pakistanis joined the Friends of Malvinas Group’ in Islamabad and have been vocal against the outdated practice of colonialism which has no place in the free world, according to Argentina Ambassador Rodolfo J. Martin-Saravia, who was recently decorated with the ‘Hilal-i-Pakistan’. Pakistan has always voted in favour of the relevant UN Resolutions calling for bilateral negotiations on the issue.The Malvinas Islands were occupied by British forces in 1833 that saw the Argentine population being displaced and eventually replaced with citizens from Great Britain. The Argentine Republic immediately protested this illegitimate forceful act that is still maintained, without consenting to it at any time.“The Argentine Government reasserts the sovereignty rights of the Argentine Republic over the Malvinas, the South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, which are an integral part of its national territory”, says the Ambassador. Earlier the Argentine Foreign Minister commented, “Argentina is the only South American country that has a part of its territory still in the hands of a colonial power and we cannot take this lightly.” And added: “It is unavoidable for me to mention this anachronistic colonial situation to my Pakistani friends who know very well the hardships of colonialism because you have suffered them yourselves until 1947”. The latest legal action by Argentine is based on its laws which state that all hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities carried out on the Argentine Continental Shelf without the authorisation of the Argentine State, including transport and storage, which will be deemed unlawful and will be punishable with administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Support for Argentine’s national policy has seen regional support increasing. The Group of 77 and China also recognize Argentina’s right to adopt legal measures against the unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities being carried out. For a such as MERCOSUR and its Associate Members, the Latin American Integration Association and the Latin American Energy Organization have all stood behind Argentine in the face of ‘colonialism’ . Of special concern is the possible environment impact of these unlawful activities and in the event of a well head blowout, the implemented measures would not be sufficient to prevent the flow of pollution for an extended period of time (two to four months), which would intensify the impact on the marine environment
