Tensions between UK and Argentina rise ahead of minister’s visit to Falklands

Published on Thursday 16 February 2012 13:47

Relations between Britain and Argentina are expected to come under further strain after it emerged a government minister is visiting the Falklands today.

David Willetts is expected to hold talks with military commanders.

The Conservative science minister, who is making a brief visit on the outward and return stints of a trip to the Antarctic, is also due to host a dinner with Governor Nigel Haywood and hold discussions on policy matters, including whether islands students should have to pay tuition fees, the newspaper said.

Mr Willetts insisted islanders had “made it very clear” they want to remain British.

A spokesman said the minister did not have any “official” engagements during his stopover and insisted it was a “transiting visit” to allow Mr Willetts to pick up a flight to the British Antarctic Survey in Rothera.

The minister is making a “long-planned” tour of the scientific study site, which is a key climate change research facility, officials added.

But the stopover comes after months of escalating rhetoric between London and Buenos Aires.

Prime Minister David Cameron and President Cristina Kirchner have traded barbs prompting United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon to issue a statement expressing “concern about the increasingly strong exchanges”.

Tempers flared after Britain deployed one of its most modern destroyers, HMS Dauntless, to the region, although it insisted the move was merely routine.

The Duke of Cambridge’s arrival in the Falklands for a posting as an RAF search and rescue pilot further infuriated Buenos Aires.

And there were protests after the website of Falklands newspaper the Penguin News ran a photo of Mrs Kirchner labelled “bitch”.

Comments

There are 12 comments to this article

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12

Bazza Matazz

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 01:03 PM

All Argentina has to do is sit back and bide their time as the UK's economy nosedives into a dark place of no return as all the UK ships start to rust.

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11

Rutherfordian

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 10:14 PM

No. 6. Your last sentence made me chuckle. I now have a picture of him sitting on a fence, eating a pie, with a splinter in his bum.

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10

ELDee

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 06:38 PM

#9, really? There has always been a Navy ship down there in its normal routine of patrols. There is also a garrison there. I am quite sure the Argentinians would have been happier if HMS Victory and 70000th in line to the crown, private snooks, of the Rifles were sent down instead.

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9

ScotCan

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 06:21 PM

The UK government is attempting to deflect attention from all the home front woes. Anyone with half a brain cell knows the Argentine has no intention of invading the Falklands again. It's not worth notice except to comment on the excessive costs to the taxpayers of all the posturing and wooden sword rattling.

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8

Ernie Mhor

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:38 PM

Hi Highway Chode Your first cybernat, and proud of it, reporting as requested. Unfortunately for you I take the position that the Falkland Islanders are as much entitled to self determination as am I. If they wish to remain British that is fair enough. However please grant myself, and those like minded Scots, the right to our own self determination and self governance.

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7

KINGFISHER1

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:33 PM

I see the ship has TRANSITTED the Atlantic without incident. The presence of the WREN is duly noted, and agreed, in the TERRITORY of the HUMMING BIRD. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED to note the incident in HONDURAS and loss of life,which is within the territory of the HUMMING BIRD. TAY OCH TYK LAN

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6

Lachie Mhor

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:53 PM

What will First Ministers Salmond stance be on this issue. He has a problem. If he supports the Argentine claim then does that mean he will support the breakaway movement in the Orkneys and Shetlands. If he supports the UK,remembering that Scottish soldiers died in the Falklands during the last conflct, does that mean he is an imperialist within the United Kingdom. Will he sit on the fence and have a pie.

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Sister Wendy

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:46 PM

Pending Moderation

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4

Pedantic

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:32 PM

What's their problem? A British Minister visiting a British territory. Any escalations in tensions are the result of irrational Argentinian extremists.

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3

noodle doodle

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:10 PM

not typing that again what was the magic word? anyways, basically argentina still can't tell the difference between a military and a government, that's why it sees a government minister visiting as increasing militarisation - they're still stuck in viva la generales mode.

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noodle doodle

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:08 PM

Pending Moderation

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1

HighwayChode

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:00 PM

Wonder how long it'll take the cyberNATS to swarm on here taking the side of anyone as long as it isn't Britain

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