Hague warns S. America over Falkland Islands

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague says he’s warned South American nations not to collude with Argentina over a ban on Falkland Islands-flagged ships docking in certain ports.

Britain has ruled the Falklands, 290 miles (460 kilometers) east of Argentina’s coast, for more than 180 years. However, Argentina also claims sovereignty and the two nations fought a brief war over the islands in 1982.

Last month, Argentina and neighboring nations agreed to turn away some Falklands-flagged ships.

Hague said that following talks with British officials Uruguay, Chile and Brazil have now agreed not to participate.

He said Tuesday that the port ban was illegal, and urged others not to join Argentina’s attempt “to intimidate an innocent civilian population through economic pressure”. (nvn)