Argies threaten Australian interests
February 27th, 2010
Argentina has for the first time directly threatened Australian interests:
Argentina’s ambassador to Australia says mining group BHP Billiton will face business sanctions if it pushes ahead with oil exploration in Falklands waters.
BHP has a licence to explore off the Falkland Islands and is scheduled to start doing so in the next four months.
But Ambassador Pedro Villagra says if the company proceeds, their business in Argentina will suffer.
“If they conduct activities they will not be allowed to carry out some activities in the Argentine territory in the mainland,” he said….
BHP does not currently have any operations in Argentina but has in the past held stakes in gold and copper mining projects.
BHP will probably just thumb its nose at Argentina and start drilling. It is fairly suspect that the USA is refusing to recognise Britain’s sovereign right over the Falklands. Are they hoping to gain a commercial advantage in the region? It looks like it. Clinton will probably do a deal when she meets the Argentine President.
See also:
- Finally some industry support for the Coalition (July 30th, 2010)
- The only clunker is Gillard (July 24th, 2010)
- Miners ready with the TNT (July 23rd, 2010)
- Costello catchs out Heather Ridout (June 9th, 2010)
- Rudd’s NBN falls over before the start (June 9th, 2010)
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