Argentina to complain to UN over ‘militarisation’ of Falklands

Mrs Kirchner’s speech was the latest escalation in tensions over the region in
advance of April’s 30th anniversary of Britain’s successful war to liberate
the Falklands from the Argentine military junta.

Amid renewed claims of sovereignty from Buenos Aires, Downing Street has vowed
to defend the islands as long as their 3,000 inhabitants want to be part of
Britain, as polls consistently show they do.

British Falklands veteran Simon Weston, who was badly injured during the
conflict, described the Argentinian president as “a troubled woman”.

He told the BBC: “I don’t know what she thinks she is going to gain by
annoying everyone with these continuing arguments.

“Ultimately what are the UN going to do? Are they going to sign a sanction
against Britain? I doubt it very much.”

Dick Sawle, a Falklands politician, said the islands’ fundamental right to
self-determination should not be taken away from them

He told BBC’s Today programme: “Since 1982 when we were invaded we have
had a very strong deterrent force which has been effective. We have not been
invaded again.”

He said it was “nonsense” to suggest that Prince William’s arrival
on the Falklands was a threat as he will be in civilian clothes flying
search and rescue helicopters.

Ministers confirmed last week that the £1 billion Type 45 destroyer Dauntless
will be deployed to the islands for seven months, in what they insisted was
a “routine” rotation.

Meanwhile Prince William is to spend six weeks on the islands as part of
another “routine deployment” in his role as Flight Lieutenant Wales, an RAF
search-and-rescue helicopter pilot.

The Argentine foreign ministry has complained that the heir to the British
throne would arrive wearing “the uniform of a conqueror”.

Mrs Kirchner last night moved to quash speculation that the Argentine military
was gearing up for conflict. “Don’t expect us to deal with this outside of
politics or diplomacy,” she said. “It is not going to happen. We have
suffered too much”.

She spoke to a packed audience of war veterans, politicians and senior
military figures in the Latin American Patriots Hall, a ceremonial room
inside the Casa Rosa, the presidential mansion.

Her address was delivered in front a large poster showing an outline of the
islands – which Britain have had since 1833 – emblazoned with the blue and
white flag of Argentina.

Outside, thousands of young people and those old enough to remember the 1982
conflict gathered in a sign of support for the president. Some shouted: “Malvinas!
They belong to us!”

After the speech, Mrs Kirchner emerged on to a balcony and was greeted with
roaring approval from the flag-waving crowd, at one point pumping her fist
and joining them in nationalistic song.

Mrs Kirchner confirmed that a long-secret government report on the activities
of the Argentine military in the 1982 war would be made public in 30 days.

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