by the El Reportero’s news services
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
In the face of Argentina´s disapproval, the “Falklands”´ flag is waving at 10 Downing Street, official residence of British Prime Minister David Cameron, marking the thirtieth anniversary of the end of the war over the islands.
To commemorate the occasion, Cameron reiterated his commitment to continue British occupation of that South Atlantic territory and recalled the courage of the European soldiers who participated in the 1982 conflict over the archipelago, stolen from Argentina in 1833.
Likewise, despite considerable disapproval from the international community, the British secretary of state for Latin America, Jeremy Browne, attended celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the war that killed 649 Argentines and 255 Britons.
Meanwhile, before the full United Nations today, Argentina´s president, Cristina Fernandez, reaffirmed her country´s right to the islands, overwhelmingly supported for historical, geographic and political reasons, and backed by Latin America.
In that sense, the president expressed her deepest gratitude to the more than 70 countries supporting the Argentine claim over the Malvinas, (called “Falklands” in English) the South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia and surrounding maritime areas.
Fernandez took advantage of her visit to the UN´s Decolonization Committee, the first visit by a head of state, to ask London to comply with Resolution 2065, urging the two governments to open negotiations to resolve the issue of the islands´ sovereignty.
So far, Britain has rejected the chance to discuss the situation, to the point of violating over 40 UN resolutions, directed toward cordial dialogue and a diplomatic solution to the century-old conflict.
Two days ago, in a surge of tensions on both sides of the Atlantic, at London´s request, the local government of the Malvinas appealed to the principle of self-determination and called for a referendum vote in 2013 over the disputed political status of the archipelago. (Prensa Latina).
Correa gears up the military for public security role
Latin News reported that the government of President Rafael Correa has been gearing up the armed forces to act, ostensibly in support of the police, in public security tasks. Hundreds of military personnel have been undergoing special ‘military police’ training that includes anti-riot and anti-crime tactics.
This come as evidence emerges, writes Latin News, that Correa has been using a special presidential unit to infiltrate the civic organizations that have been protesting against mining and oil drilling projects, which he has denounced as part of a conspiracy to destabilize his government.
Venezuela: World leader in proven oil reserves
Venezuela surpassed Saudi Arabia becoming the world´s new leader in proven oil reserves holding a figure equivalent to 296,500 million of barrels by the end of 2011, official sources informed on Thursday.
According to the Statistical Review of World Energy released by British Petroleum Company, Saudi Arabia´s figures were equivalent to 265,400 million barrels.
Caracas´ increase was of 85,300 million barrels regarding the 2010 figures, so Venezuela holds 18 percent of the total amount of reserves worldwide.
The BP review estimated that the world´s reserves reach 1,650,000,000 barrels with a 1.9 percent of growth in comparison to 2010.
Canada is in the third position of the countries with largest proven oil reserves with 175,200 million barrels (11 percent) and is followed by Russia with 88,200 million barrels.
