British Navy On Standby Over Falkland Oil Dispute, Gordon Brown Issues Explicit Warning To Argentina

"Royal Navy warships were on standby on Thursday to protect commercial shipping to the Falkland Islands as Gordon Brown said Britain would take a robust stand against Argentine encroachment on the resource rich South Atlantic territory." One would guess that a war between Britain and Argentina is simply the latest thing that would bring the market to an uncontrolled, frenzied melt up (on give or take 3 shares). And while the US market responds to no external stimuli any more, this latest development reported by Telegraph, will likely not help the Gilt's recent concerns.
HMS York, a type 42-destroyer, was on a "tight leash" patrolling the seas around the islands in response to rising tensions over British firms oil explorations activities near the Falklands. Argentina has demanded a halt to "illegal" oil drilling around the Falkands and on Wednesday imposed a permit system on ships passed from its ports to the island.
Gordon Brown, the prime minister, issued an explicit warning to the Argentinian government that the South Atlantic show of force – which also included a survey vessel backed up by a 1,000-strong military detachment on land – would respond to any disruption of the Falklands links to the outside world.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence pointedly referred to the deterrent role that all British forces, including the Navy, were playing in the South Atlantic. "A deterrence force is maintained on the islands. That deterrence force comprises a wide range of land, air and maritime assets which collectively maintain our defence posture."
Navy commanders said the prospect of the Argentine disruption of shipping in the area was real.
"This is modern defence diplomacy in action," an MoD official said. "The warships are there to protect the UK interests in the South Atlantic. If the Argentines were interfere with the free movement of shipping on the high seas that would be illegal and we would make a decision to use our deterrence force."
So let's get this straight: we are hearing Iran is working on a nuclear warhead, an alleged rogue Mossad force in Dubai killing Hamas operatives, Greece about to file, Britain getting punished by a term that was in vogue when people still listening to a Flock of Seagulls, tax refunds getting halted, and now a possible redux of the Falklands war, and what do we have? A market that is up nearly 1% on vapor as a major "technical level was breached." The backstop - assorted central banks will be forced to rotate the "print" dial to Turbo Max. All we can say is LOL.
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on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:47
#235988
WOW! Gordon, take it easy! The Argentinian Gov just let you know that you cannot use Argentinian ports without a permit.
If your country is in the trashcan thanks to your own neocon economical policies, it doesn't mean that you have to go to war to cover it up. The loosing war against the bond vigilantes is really making you nervous. Now you dream of digging your way out of the mess by swimming in stolen oil.
And the Islas Malvinas are Argentinians as we all know ... geez ridiculous !
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:00
#236102
"And the Islas Malvinas are Argentinians as we all know ... geez ridiculous !"
Get tae fuck. The Falklands and South Georgia islands have been British longer than Argentina has been a sovereign state. They The only claim Argentina can possibly have over them is via Spain and the treaty of Tordilas, and in that case, Spain and Portugal should control the whole of South America.
Yes our navy is shit (years of underfunding by an appalling government) but there is no way that the Argentinian navy has anything like the capability to invade the islands again. There is a permanent 1,000 strong marine presence, Typhoon jets and coastal batteries (unlike in the 1980s) whereas the Argentinian navy still relies on a few US made Korea/Vietnam era jets.
Regardless, this is all political posturing - this is highly unlikely to develop into anything. If the Argentinians were smart, they would welcome the oil industry into their ports & develop a southern oil hub for technology, shipping, refining and research for the Falklands oil (if there is any) and future developments in Antarctica. The fact that they are prepared to rattle their sabers just shows up the poor domestic situation in conically poorly governed Argentina (although I do accept our government is just as shit).
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 22:03
#236990
Can you say Grenada and Ronald Reagan? Brown is low in the polls. Surest way to go up in polls is to start a war that someone else 'forced' on you and that poses no real threat.
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 00:02
#237145
Frankly, I don't know WTF the UK thinks it's doing across the ocean in this day and age. Guys, look after your own crap, not the crap you stole a century ago.
on Sat, 02/20/2010 - 12:28
#238754
The permit scheme was introduced to stop current ships docked in argentina with materials from moving onto the falklands shortly. The argie govt have never been interested in the falklands, only oil and either staying in power or getting into power, what about all the other argy islands, anyone over there interested in them?
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:34
#235993
3 shares? no kiddin - everyone is too busy posting comments on ZH articles. what have you done??????
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:40
#236015
I wonder if Obama will support Britain or the Monroe doctrine (we know what Bush Jr., son of Sir George Bush, did).
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:28
#236206
Nothing like a brutal Faulklands conflict to deflect the headlines and rally the citizenry.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:40
#236019
Fuck the UK !
They are in the same trash can together with the US.
War mongers & liers.
How can you call yourself CHRISTIANS ?
SHAME ON YOU ALL.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:38
#236187
you spelt liars wrong. It's L-I-A-R-S not L-I-E-R-S.
Interesting to see in the same post.
"Fuck the UK!" and "How can you call yourself CHRISTIANS?"
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:45
#236029
Odd-lot trading on upticks has been the norm over the last year. Calm before the storm. . We get $126B in U.S supply next week. Greece, Portugal and Italy all looking to issue debt. And already Greece is asking for clarification on EU support (in an interview with Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61H4XD20100218) "If the EU gave a clearer indication of the mechanism that might be used, in an emergency, to help Greece, bond spreads would fall and a rescue would not be needed, Papaconstantinou said". Oh yes, you yanks may yet get to bend over in the name of Greece: Papaconstantinou said while Greece respected the euro zone's principle of dealing with fiscal problems by itself, it did not rule out seeking International Monetary Fund assistance, although it was not actively pursuing that option.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:04
#236121
Breaking News Alert: US has just announced that they will backstop all the debt of the entire planet.
http://justgetthere.us/blog/uploads/money-printing-press.jpg
Ben and Tim, the Dukes of Moral Hazard: Yeeehaw!
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:25
#236194
+1
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:46
#236279
That machine is printing 1-dollar bills. Clearly we aren't going to get out of this using ones!
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 13:31
#237817
I liked the speed at which the machine looked like it was running but you are right.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:47
#236041
Oh I am scared. The British Navy is down to about ten ships and the boat used on Gilligan's Island thanks to the Labor Government that has cut the navy down to nothing so they can use the money to pay for all the welfare programs they have in place.
Rule Britannia no more I think.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:51
#236064
I'd give you 3:1 Britannia wins vs. Argentina if it comes down to a fight.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:03
#236112
Of course GB would win, you can't find a single professional fighting force on the whole of the continent of South America.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:33
#236222
You forget that the UK was fighting conscripts during the 1982 War
The military Junta was in a very vulnerable political postion at the time and needed its more reliable forces at home so they withdrew those forces after the initial invasion.
That being said you can never underestimate the British but I feel they have stretched themselves to much even by their standards.
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 12:26
#237720
Oh boy, the sheer ignorance in this post ruined every ironic and/or comic intent.
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 14:54
#237962
Ok Mr Anonymous I accept I was talking out of my ass on that one , please accept my humble apologies
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:06
#236103
Not only that but the Type 42 destroyers exhibit a serious design flaw. The superstructure is built of a light weight high magnesium/aluminum alloy. In laymans terms it means that the boat itself will burn like a heretic at the Spanish inquisition when hit.
Guess they didn't learn from the last time when they sent the H.M.S. Weenie Roast (Sheffield) down to the Falklands... Exocet missile anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_42_destroyer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sheffield_%28D80%29
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:29
#236209
Those british love thier smoldering aluminum armor.
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 21:26
#238369
The only problem for the Argentinians is that they're *still* using Exocets. I'm really not convinced that they have the capability to deal with the modern electronic warfare on board british ships.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:12
#236148
And remember some British dolt sold all your gold at rock bottom pricing years ago.
PS: The Skipper and Gilligan want their boat back.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:47
#236046
You're showing your age. ;)
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:48
#236048
The government has every right to ban UK and proxy interests from the use of ports and facilities in Argentina if they feel like it. Might as well expell the UK banking interests.
What are they going to do? ship the Argentinian immigrant back? LOL
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:49
#236050
Can exocet missiles still fix this?
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 03:01
#237260
A couple of exocets fired at those oil rigs ought to put an end to any British drilling infringement...
The Falklands cries out for drones... The Carlyle Group could clean up selling land minds and drones to both sides... Think of the profit!!
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:49
#236052
So "that's" the war everybody's been anticipating, forget the mid-east then. Gold $7k, lol
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 20:07
#236834
Gold & oil down if that's a clue...
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:51
#236060
I just watched this again last night for 2nd time for refresher: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4353655982817317115&ei=cad9S8zSCpCElge0xvXtBw&q=argentina+collapse+movie&hl=en&view=3#
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:51
#236063
The Royal Navy is a shadow of its former self and can no longer mount a expeditionary force to the South Atlantic.
Horror of horrors they might have to ask the French very nicely to send the Charles De Gaulle down south to protect their interests.
Now that would be funny
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:53
#236070
They just ask their friends in Chile. Game over. You lose Argentina.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:39
#236482
They have two carriers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_Navy_ships
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:28
#236615
Correction illustrious is getting a refit in Scotland
God knows what the Ark Royal is doing
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8492359.stm
Maybe the argies will get their timing better this time but their armed forces are in piss poor performance as well
The whole thing is a farce.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:55
#236078
EOD rally again in stocks..bfft
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:57
#236086
Good lord, we're going to have a re-do of the Falklands war? Really Brownie...really?
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:12
#236149
Except that: This time The Archies probably have more than the Eight Excocets they had last time and Britain has fewer ships in the sea to blow up. Not that it matters to Gordo Bronie-pants.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:58
#236095
Looks like Brown trumps Obama (again) in playing the 'war' card.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:10
#236098
The RAF do have some assets in Stanley
www.fast-air.co.uk/RAF-Coningsby-Falklands-Typhoon-Flight-1435.htm
They will have to depend on the few again
There is a lot of criticism of Neville Chamberlain for obvious reasons but he was responsible for the dramatic rearming of the Empire and the Spitfire funding
Gordon Brown on the other hand............
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:03
#236104
The thing about this market....
computers can't read words... they only involve themselves with numbers and moving lines moving from number to number on a chart and the pretty patterns they may (not earnings numbers of course because they have some words that go with the numbers and they are not located in an easy to program fashion)
News 'events' are just a time when the numbers move around and oscillate at a different rate and more money can be scalped from the vibrations around the number lines
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:01
#236105
Does ZH think we get a weimar republic melt up? If all hell breaks lose is that bad news for stocks? I'm just as confused as anyone here!
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:08
#236135
Wow. Let the battle begin. Who will win? The bankrupt colonial empire or the bankrupt nation?
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:31
#236217
In 2010 after many nations claimed bankruptcy they became the next leading world empire and with this form of money after all paper currencies collapsed.
Who is China and what is gold Alex (Trebek).
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:44
#236272
Goldman Sachs unquestionably.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:17
#236172
This just in: US troops to invade Grenada in "Best Wars of the Eighties" revival....
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:25
#236193
I feel like I've seen this conflict before....
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:30
#236212
Gordon Brown - bollocks.
I can't help feeling that, if there were a replay of the Falklands War, Gordon would come out on the losing side. Much as he will do in the forthcoming General Election. He's managed to overstay his welcome as an unelected Prime Minister. Would Nick Clegg or David Cameron do any better? Unfortunately, no.
At some point, very soon, it's all going to go tits up. Forgive my colloquialisms in this post.
DavidC
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:31
#236456
Prime Ministers aren't elected. Parties are.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 16:56
#236323
Flock of Seagulls...lol!
Hope there is no war tho.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:03
#236335
The Pom's just have to come up with a story to hide that their deficit is worse then Greece.
If they send the Navy half the boats might run out of fuel before they get there.
Argentina has no need whatsoever to engage them, they can just kick back, eat some asado, drink some wine, and the problem will fix itself.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:03
#236336
Gordon Brown - bollocks.
I can't help feeling that, if there were a replay of the Falklands War, Gordon would come out on the losing side. Much as he will do in the forthcoming General Election. He's managed to overstay his welcome as an unelected Prime Minister. Would Nick Clegg or David Cameron do any better? Unfortunately, no.
At some point, very soon, it's all going to go tits up. Forgive my colloquialisms in this post.
DavidC
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:05
#236341
Apologies - double sent for some reason unknown to me!
DC
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 02:54
#237259
It is just the NSA monitoring your Internet traffic.
Diverting your activity through AT&T data control black box sometimes causes disconnects and delays...
Not to worry... Just remember to show up an extra hour or two early at the airport as many ZH commenters are on the official Terrorist Watch List. And ZHers don't get a free pass like the crotch bomber...
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:09
#236366
The reason I'm asking is that the artcles I read say he owned it... so how badly off could things have been?
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:19
#236405
All the old line imperialist nations (UK, USA) Invade and take control of oil supplies.
Must keep the trajectory upward
Must keep printing
Must keep oppressing
Must continue to grow old line wealth exponentially
Towers open fire
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:20
#236407
The most likely explanation is the Argies are diverting their populace from some more mundane events - they are bored and need to stir the shit a bit to make life more colorful for the masses
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:22
#236419
Carlin on war
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfLgub2dhb4
We like war
We are good at it
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:42
#236499
Little known fact - last Falkland Island conflict where the Argentines sunk a few ships using Exocet (French made) missiles the Royal Navy not only had to worry about the lightweight aluminim superstrutures of their ships that burn't quickly but the sailors themselves wore uniforms that were made of polyester and they suffered horrible burns due to the melting fabric. FYI - The US Military working fatigues are made of cotton.
If the conflict was decided over a soccer match my money is on the Argentinians.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:00
#236535
"Cripple Fight"
I mean come on. We have a broken shell of an empire that is now a hollowed out empty nation threatening a backwater 3rd world dictatorship. I mean really who does Gordon Brown think he is, president of the United States?
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:06
#236553
LOL ..
Gordon Brown's party is down 20 points against the Conservatives which makes it "distract the sheep time". He may take on the Azores on his way down South just for fun.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 19:14
#236741
+ !
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:15
#236580
nothing like a splendid little war to take one's attention off of an imploding gilt....
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:15
#236581
There is a RN hunter killer heading down south at high speed ,that is if it is not there already.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:19
#236592
This sabre rattling by Argentina is another form of the growing nationalism throughout the world. As people become more aware of the prevailing dominant power structures they feel their identity is threatened and react in a defensive, protective manner. As new information and reality seeps into one's brain people have to absorb the data and re-adjust their orientation and perspective. Human beings are extremely attentive to existential threats to their being. The Argentines may feel that the Malvinas is theirs by virtue of proximity, but I don't think the British presence will be removed. I wonder how many Argentine leaders and economists actually believe the universe is stable, ordered, benevolent and expansive. There are abundant “natural” resources. Scarcity is a mindset.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:43
#236669
pumas would win not only in soccer, but in rugby as well
and argentina, just lease malvinas for 99 years to some serious little nation like india, china, or taiwan
a winwin situation
remenber dresden
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:44
#236673
There is a recently discovered 70 billion barrel oil field off the falklands. Enough to go to war over that's for sure.
To put that in perspective it is the same size as the Saudis largest field Ghawar, which is the largest oil field in the world.
Maybe things won't be so bad for Britain in the future.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 18:46
#236680
Brown needs to make it clear that the Falklands are British territory, and any attack on the islands will legitimize a counterattack on the Argentinian mainland. The Archies have little to lose if the fighting is confined to the islands.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 19:21
#236750
Why can't "UK Interests" just be pornographic where you suddenly lose interest and get off and leave. Why must they endure endlessly.
on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 19:43
#236786
who is the largest landowner in argentina? Margaret Thatcher and her family. Did the Argentines seize her land during the falklands war? No. I think the argentines deservea a break here. England has not been good to Argentina but all the argentines are asking is for it to respect their right to control their own ports. Thatcher needs to understand argentina is hot her personal banana republic to do with as she pleases.
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 00:11
#237160
ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL.....Mr Brown Sir ! Armada of Black Swans approaching Tower Bridge. Shall we launch HMSS Rubber Ducky to repel?
No,HRH doesnt want to be disturbed during Afternoon Tea.
A O Well Sir we have 2 second hand frigates available that we could
dispatch PDQ to the Falklands. If you recall, it worked out quite well last time......yes Sir, you can Google it..
BROWN.....excellent idea....dispatch them right away, and while they are down there, have them fill up and also check if there is any spare oil lying around. You know the North Sea isnt what it used to be, and those damn creditors keep calling
É
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 02:46
#237256
Gordon Brown is Desperate for Votes
After this phonied up military "crisis" and PM Super Hero to the Rescue ends impotently...
Expect George Bush style $600 tax cut "Vote for me!" bribe checks followed by free English Monica Lewinsky Blow Jobs for every Labour vote program...
Gordon Brown... Cheesy British used car salesman extraordinaire... Somebody give that clown the hook...
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 04:21
#237283
Re: Falklands War Redux.
If it comes to fighting, Britain to repeat its 1982 victory.
While the RN may be somewhat smaller than in the eighties, it's no less professional and, the Argetine Army and Navy are proportionally smaller as well.
The reason? Both countries are technically bankrupt and have reduced arms spending accordingly. But, a major difference this time is that there is a British garrison on the islands with sufficient naval and air assets to put up a fight.
Look for the Brits to tighten the cordon in the 200nm economic exclusion zone around the islands and harass a few Argie fishermen.....
KrvtKpt. laughing swordfish
Kmdt iD --RMGschKhl
on Sat, 02/20/2010 - 01:07
#238504
"Both countries are technically bankrupt and have reduced arms spending accordingly."
Doesn't Have to Be That Way
The US is bankrupt yet our government keeps INCREASING those arms spending and war budget. Go Bennie Bernank-ster Bucks!
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 11:53
#237663
I sure hope that they don't go to war. I've got quite a bit of stock in the oil company that has that oil lease.
on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 12:40
#237744
Falkland islands are and have been British for more than 150 years. What do WE ARGIES could contest that?
This was written by a rational ARGIE.
José
on Sun, 02/21/2010 - 09:27
#239160
the islands were stolen in 1834 by our british naval force. we should do the right thing and return them but instead we act like thugs and criminals and brandish our guns. you supporters of this crime make me ashamed to be british and give us a bad name as people
on Mon, 04/19/2010 - 07:21
#307572
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