Argentina Invites U.N to discuss British oil exploration activities in disputed Falklands/Malvinas

*****

Argentina to protest Falklands' (Malvinas) oil activities and invites UN C24 president to Buenos Aires.

MercoPress

South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina will file an official complaint against Britain for oil exploration activities in Falklands/Malvinas disputed waters before the United Nations Decolonisation Committee and have invited the C24 president to visit Argentina to hold a meeting on the issue in Buenos Aires.

 

Ecuadorean diplomat Francisco Carrión Mena is the current president of the Decolonisation Committee

 According to Argentine official media the recent announcements of oil discovery in the Falklands/Malvinas waters and further confirmation of potentially vast reserves violate the UN Decolonization resolutions, reignite the conflict, although Argentine sources believe there is much of ‘financial speculation’ involved in the announcements.

“In coming days the Argentine Foreign Affairs ministry will again accuse the British government of violating UN resolutions following exploration activities undertaken by the British companies Rockhopper Exploration and Desire Petroleum among others in the exclusion zone, the area under litigation in the sovereignty dispute over the Islands”, an official source is quoted.

However the Argentine Foreign office doubts the commercial viability of such wells and describes the situation as “stocks speculation”. Nevertheless Argentina will again file a complaint before the C-24 which is currently under the presidency of Ecuadorean diplomat Francisco Carrión Mena.

“Last Tuesday Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman sent a personal invitation to the C24 president to hold talks in Buenos Aires”.

Last week Rockhopper announced the commercial viability of the discovered oil prospect which was confirmed by appraisal drillings “making shares soar almost 40% in one day precisely in the week of black Monday for world markets and which remain highly volatile” point out the Argentine sources.

In the sovereignty dispute Argentina counts with the support from MERCOSUR and UNASUR whose members agreed not to supply in their ports vessels that might be linked to hydrocarbons exploration activities in Falklands/Malvinas waters. Besides the region, Argentina’s position is also supported by African and Asian countries, the source is quoted.

The UK can only speculate with “the implicit support from the European Union that has included the Malvinas Islands in a list of British Overseas Territories”.
 

Opening of Tula Museum in Amsterdam; commemoration of 1795 rebellion in Curacao

*****

New Tulas needed for a better future

Amigoe

AMSTERDAM — Although the people of Curaçao dared to visualize a better future, they dared not realize that future. For a better future, we need hundreds of Tula’s. “Nevertheless, these Tula’s are there, on Curaçao, in The Netherlands and in this hall, but they haven’t found each other yet.” Jeanne Henriquez, founder and director of the Tula Museum, received a loud applause for her speech yesterday in Amsterdam during the commemoration of the slave rebellion of August 17th 1795 under command of the slave Tula.

by Otti Thomas

250 to 300 people, young and old, attended the commemoration in the Muider Church, which the knowledge center on slavery, Ninsee organizes every year.

There is still insufficient knowledge on the history of Curaçao and there are more obstacles en route to a cultural revolution that is eventually to lead to the independence of the island, says Henriquez. For example, people who wish to talk about the slavery are considered frustrated beings; the discussion on independence involves a huge fear for the unknown, poverty reigns particularly amongst women and Curaçao is a sexist society. “The sexism is a particular obstacle.

As African-Curaçao males and females, we have internalized our image of each other. We conclude that are men in the first place are sex machines, in the second place sportsmen and only in the third place intelligent men. Sexism and hatred of women impede spiritual freedom and a loving relationship between men and women,” says Henriquez. That was different during the slave rebellion. Women and men fought side by side for their rights and former slaves helped the slaves. That unanimity was also noticeable during the harbor strike of 1922, the battle for suffrage after the Second World War, the rebellion of May 30th 1969 and the protests against the final declaration, says Henriquez.

The museum director and graduated historian argued for better education, financial help for poor families and a national monument for all men and women who died during the slave rebellion. Moreover, we are to demand the Dutch government observe international treaties and it’s time the Dutch apologize, says Henriquez.

Sensitive toes

“Perhaps we should make the first step and forgive The Netherlands instead of demanding an apology.” This possibility is suggested by Rafa Rosario, one of the men who philosophized for two days in the weekend prior to the commemoration about which role Tula still plays in these times, especially as example for men. “I realize I am now stepping on sensitive toes,” says Rosario. Not only on Curaçao but also worldwide there are people who do not wish to work or work together and there are men who want more than one woman. “However, we have the possibility to make choices”, he says.

“Nevertheless, Tula is an example because of his courage in fighting for his rights. We must always fight for our rights.” The Tula-commemoration was concluded with music from the film Tula – The Revolt – performed by Junior Tecla & his band that subsequently got half the audience singing along with Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, which song has become the battle song on intellectual slavery.