Gordon Brown assures Falkland islanders they are protected amid task force reports

BRITAIN has made all the preparations necessary to ensure Falkland Islanders are protected, Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed yesterday.

The Argentine government has issued a decree to tighten control over shipping in the area ahead of British efforts to begin oil and gas exploration off the islands' waters.

According to reports, a new British naval task force comprising two ships and an oil supply tanker has already been sent to the South Atlantic isles.

But the Ministry of Defence said it was "maintaining" British force levels in and around the Falkland Islands and Mr Brown said he did not expect to need to send a task force to the area.

In a radio interview yesterday, Mr Brown said: "I think you will find we have made all the preparations that are necessary to make sure the Falkland Islanders are properly protected.

"This is oil drilling that is exploration for the future. It is perfectly within our rights to do this."

He added that he believed the Argentine government understood this and "sensible discussions" would prevail.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague suggested that an increased naval presence in the area might be necessary.

He said: "The islanders have every right to develop the natural resources of their islands and surrounding waters.

"It should be made very clear that the wholly legitimate search for oil in the Falklands waters will not be affected by unwarranted threats or interference from Argentina.

"Additionally, the British government should state clearly that no vessel operating within the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands will require any form of permit from any other country.

"Increased British naval presence in the area would leave no doubt as to this position."

The MoD said the UK's existing "deterrence" in the Falklands was not being increased and UK force levels were being maintained.

A spokesman said: "The government is fully committed to the South Atlantic Overseas Territories, which include the Falkland Islands. 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.

"We have a permanent presence in the South Atlantic, including one frigate/destroyer, a patrol vessel, a survey ship and a replenishment vessel. We also have 1,076 service personnel on land."

Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner issued a decree covering all ships that enter her country's waters, which Buenos Aires regards as those covering the entire South Atlantic continental shelf.

The Foreign Office has already shrugged off the demand, insisting that the seas around the Falklands were controlled by island authorities and would not be affected by the decree.

But officials are understood to be watching the situation closely.

As the issue escalated, Sir Nicholas Winterton, chairman of the all-party Falklands group, said he would seek a meeting with senior officials at the Foreign Office when Parliament returns from recess next week.

He dismissed Ms Fernandez's decree as "pathetic and useless" as Argentina has no jurisdiction over the seas around the Falklands.