Fresh row after UN declares Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian waters
The UK has sought to dismiss the UN's ruling saying it is not legally binding
THE United Nations has declared the Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian Waters prompting a fresh row over the British territory.
The Argentine foreign ministry said its waters had increased by 1.7 million square km and claimed the decision will be key in its dispute with Britain over the islands.
Downing Street sought to play down the findings, saying they have no legal force.
Argentina lost a brief, bloody war in 1982 with Britain after its troops invaded the islands. British armed forces lost 255 troops in the conflict.
Former Tory defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth blasted: “We didn’t give 255 British lives for some bunch of nonentities from the UN to tell us whose waters surround the Falkland Islands”.
The UN commission on the limits of the continental shelf sided with Argentina, ratifying the country’s 2009 report fixing the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast.
“It's a great news for Argentine sovereignty,” said President Mauricio Macri.
“We are very happy with this favourable response of nations and grateful with the Argentines who worked to get it.
"This enlargement of the limits of the platform of our country will allow us to defend the richness of our sea, the property of each and every one of the Argentines.”
Foreign minister Susana Malcorra said: “This is a historic occasion for Argentina because we’ve made a huge leap in the demarcation of the exterior limit of our continental shelf.
“This reaffirms our sovereignty rights over the resources of our continental shelf.”
She tweeted later that the decision will “reaffirm our sovereignty in the South Atlantic”.
The PM's official spokeswoman said: "What is important is what the Falkland Islanders themselves think.
"They have been very clear that they want to remain an overseas territory of the UK and we will continue to support their right to determine their own future."
Mike Summers, the chairman of the islands' Legislative Assembly, said: "The UN statement makes no adjudication on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and has no implications for the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands or our right to develop our territorial waters.
"The Falkland Islands people voted overwhelmingly in 2013 to maintain our links with the United Kingdom as a British Overseas Territory, and the statements made by the UN do not change that.
"Argentine statements which suggest that the sovereign position in the Falkland Islands has changed as a result of this decision are wholly misleading."
Oil exploration is already pumping millions of dollars into the Falkland Islands economy.
Many islanders remain concerned about Argentina’s claim as well as the potential for problems from rapid change brought by the new industry.
The UN commission’s finding included the caveat that there is an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands.
The Falklands are internally self-governed, but Britain is responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. The British government says islanders cannot be forced to accept Argentinian sovereignty against their will.
In a 2013 referendum, islanders voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory.
In January Jeremy Corbyn sparked outrage by saying Britain should reach a “reasonable accommodation” with Argentina over the islands.
“It seems to me ridiculous that in the 21st Century we would be getting into some enormous conflict with Argentina about some islands just off it,” he said.
“Yes, of course the islanders have an enormous say in it but let's bring about some sensible dialogue.”
Mr Summers told The Sun: "Mr Corbyn is clearly confused about the right to self-determination, and has little understanding about the Falkland Islands.”
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