UK denies preparing for new Falklands war
Prince William's deployment exacerbated Argentina's anger over their claims that the UK were "militarising" the south Atlantic. Picture: MoD/Getty
BRITAIN has insisted it is not “militarising” the south Atlantic in preparation for a fresh conflict over the Falklands after claims by Argentina that one of the UK’s Vanguard submarines has been sent to the area.
The inflammatory remarks, in the run up to the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War, were made by foreign minister Hector Timerman who claimed he had “information” that British submarines were in the area.
He called on the United Nations to intervene to diffuse escalating tensions between the two countries.“Thus far the UK refuses to say whether it is true or not. Are there nuclear weapons or are there not? The information Argentina has is that there are these nuclear weapons,” said Timerman.
He also said Britain was using an “unjustified defence of self-determination” to maintain a military base on the Falklands, which allowed it to dominate the Atlantic.
“It is perhaps the last refuge of a declining empire,” he told journalists in New York. “It is perhaps the last ocean that is controlled by the UK.”
He said Britain had been “colonialist throughout [its] history”, and should now follow the advice of Beatles legend John Lennon and “give peace a chance”.
But at a separate press conference immediately afterwards, Britain’s ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant said the government did “not comment on the disposition of nuclear weapons, submarines etc”.
He branded the idea that the UK was “militarising” the region “manifestly absurd”.
“Before 1982 there was a minimal defence presence in the Falkland Islands,” he said. “It is only because Argentina illegally invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982 that since then we had to increase our defence posture. Nothing has changed in that defence posture.”
Sir Mark said the UK had been in the Falklands since before Argentina existed, and the islanders were entitled to self-determination under the UN charter. Tensions between the two nations have been growing over recent months, with David Cameron and Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner trading barbs. The UK has insisted that the deployment of HMS Dauntless, to the region is merely routine.
The Duke of Cambridge’s arrival in the Falklands for a posting as an RAF search and rescue pilot has further infuriated Buenos Aires.
There were protests after the website of a Falklands newspaper ran a photo of Kirchner labelled “bitch”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Excess Bandwidth
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 05:40 PMSo not content with taking the whole of Argentina from its indigenous population, this bunch of Spanish colonists are still whinging over the fact that they didn't also get their grubby mitts on a few rocky outcrops? Argentina doesn't oppose colonialism - it just opposes others colonising where it had hoped to.
Ron Greer
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 04:58 PM7 You demean one of the greatest authorities on Unionist, especially Labour Unionist history, on these islands. Twas he who convinced me that the UK was the only broad-minded internationalist country in the world, that the British Empire was a gigantic social welfare organisation and that Rule Britannia was a cheery wee ditty about international brotherhood and world unity. The nit-picking chronology you highlight means that you don't understand the theory of Quantum Britishness.
antiparasite
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 03:19 PM2.. You need to stop sniffing the glue... You sound like a typical inbred brit war monger... The queen could send in her brit army, australian and canadian armies and navy and still couldn't make up the numbers you claim.... I'll stop saying elite if you think I mean rich...
antiparasite
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 03:04 PM3.. If the UK was a democracy and they brits had any power you would be right about them destyroying this place along with a few too many other places.....
Abridged too Far
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 02:16 PM#2. A sub, a destroyer, 3 euro fighters and a couple helicopters. Are you out of your tiny little mind? The UK can put in the field over 100 times that strength Really? 100 subs? 100 Destroyers? 300 Euro-Fighters? Wake up, Michael, the British Empire is dead and gone...............The real tragedy is that, since the 1980's conflict, successive British governments have failed to negotiate lasting agreement with the government of Argentina, while savagely cutting back on the size of our military and engaging in dubious campaigns in support of american imperialism. The Argentinians, in contrast, have strengthened their ties with their Latin American neighbours........If it all kicks off again, we are going to be humiliated before the world
moosef
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:08 PMThe UK has involved itself in more armed conflicts since WW2 than ANY othe country in the world. With its senior partner, the USA they have involved themselves in more armed conflicts since WW2 than ALL other countries combined in the world. Something to be really proud of I suppose
Bruceboy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:19 AMBehind every fight is a woman goading things on. Aloha Elle Presidente.
Velv
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:24 AMSimple answer that Scotland can't argue against. The UN send half a dozen representatives to hold a vote on independence from the UK. If the Islanders vote for independence, the UK agrees to move out and the islanders can apply to join Argentina. If they vote no,mthen they remain part of the UK
BigBadJohn
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 09:09 AMWow, Tennis ... you're either having a laugh or you're incredibly stupid. So you're saying the tribes were on the island as it made it's way to it's present location? And took the English language with them? Even considering the English language is only about 1000 years old?
Tennis C. Williams
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 06:39 AMWhat the Argentinians conveniently choose to forget is that the Falkland Island were joined to mainland Britain during the last ice age around 15,000 years ago before the continents began to drift apart. The Falkland landmass began it's slow journey southwestwards, taking with it British tribes who were essentially hunters and gatherers. Recent archeological finds have shown that fragments of pottery and spearheads uncovered in graves near Goose Bay are identical to those discovered in Devon and Cornwall. Those ancient people took the English language with them and preserved an essentially British culture. Argentinian accusations of colonialism are just plain stupid and merely an excuse to exploit the oilfields around the islands..
Willie Boy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 06:16 AMAnd all with Flt Lt Prince William caredully dragooned into the media circus like some tailors dummy.
Willie Boy
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 06:13 AMSo sending down the Britain's newest Type 45 destroyer, together with nuclear subs is not militarising the area. aye right, after the kicking that Britain got in Iraq and Afghanistan Cameron is desperate to have a show with the Argies. Like Thatcher he wants a General Belgrano moment for political advantage.
Tricolour
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 02:19 AMI find the England's elite term insulting. Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Alastair Campbell... Iraq war, et al, all Scots. They destroyed this country.
michaelkavbox
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 02:15 AMWhat do you mean give peace a chance you fool there is no war and no UK build up. A sub, a destroyer, 3 euro fighters and a couple helicopters. Are you out of your tiny little mind? The UK can put in the field over 100 times that strength I think you need a pill dude if you think this is an elite war there is as many elite people in Argentina as there is in the UK. Oh I forgot the Argentinean military is so small and out of date they might see this as a build up. Or if you mean give peace a chance by giving the Islands over to people who are corrupt and will seek to torment the islanders and plunder the natural resources that is not going to happen peace lover. These Argentinean Trolls they are all over the web spamming in their pigeon English about peace and there is no war it ended in 1982!!!
antiparasite
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 01:08 AMGive peace a chance, true.. But, englands elite need wars, famine etc to survive......
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.