British drilling for Falklands oil threatens Argentine relations

Source London Times

Britain's relations with Argentina fell last night to their lowest point since the Falklands conflict in a row over an oil platform that is due to arrive north of Port Stanley next week. The Ocean Guardian is expected to complete its journey to the disputed waters 100 miles off the Falklands coast from the Scottish Highlands as part of a campaign that Britain hopes will bring a black-gold rush to the windswept, sparsely populated islands. But, almost three decades after Britain and Argentina fought a bloody 72-day conflict over the islands, its impending arrival has stoked fury in a country that is still intent on claiming the territory as its own. Amid an intensifying war of words, Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana warned on Thursday night that his Government would take "all measures necessary to preserve our rights".