Britain 'must be ready to defend Falklands'
BRITAIN must make "vital" preparations for an Argentinian offensive amid rising tensions over the future of the Falklands, the Liberal Democrats have warned.
North Devon MP Nick Harvey, the party's defence spokesman, insisted the islands' sovereignty was "not up for negotiation".
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Defence ministers have faced repeated questions about Britain's ability to mount a defence of the islands on the scale of the 1982 conflict, after cutbacks and commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The heightened tensions were sparked earlier this month when Britain allowed Desire Petroleum to begin drilling 60 miles north of the islands after Argentina announced new shipping controls. Its Ocean Guardian rig was towed 8,000 miles from Scotland to the South Atlantic isles for the exploration.
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Mr Harvey made clear there was all-party agreement on the future of the Falklands, adding: "Britain's assertion that the Falkland islanders' sovereignty is not up for negotiation must be absolute. Any Argentine offensive would have to be met with force. It would be a spectacular error on the part of Argentina if it were to launch any offensive, but it is vital to prepare for such a contingency."
Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, before a UK taskforce seized them back in a war which claimed the lives of 255 British servicemen and women and more than 600 Argentinians. Today, there are 1,200 British service personnel deployed in the Falklands.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth insisted the Government was "fully committed to the defence of the South Atlantic overseas territories".
"We have made all the preparations necessary to make sure they are properly protected. Our deterrence force consists of a wide range of land, air and maritime assets and can be reinforced quickly should the need arise, but we do not judge that to be necessary at the current time."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband had made clear the British position clear. "Our sovereignty of the Falklands is under no doubt, that we will take the appropriate measures to defend them and that we are entitled within those sovereign waters to explore for minerals."
Downing Street has dismissed the need for American help in resolving the row.
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "We must be able to defend our 14 overseas territories, with the main focus rightly being on the Falklands."
He said the legislation recently passed in Argentina laying claim to the islands was "completely and utterly unacceptable".
"I hope that the Government are prepared for any contingency that could arise, although Argentina would be very foolish to test our national military capabilities, our state of readiness or our will to act," he said. "The Falkland Islands are and will remain British."
Linda Gilroy, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton, told the Commons: "We in Plymouth – from where the task force left and to which it returned, fewer in number, at the end of the conflict – have not forgotten the Falklands war. Although there is no suggestion of another war... we need to be ready, should the unlikely need arise, to protect the interests of the Falkland islanders."
10 Comments
by Tom, Portsmouth
Friday, March 19 2010, 10:27AM
“"Joy, Penzance Cornwall ", what do you mean "give back" they were never theirs in the first place, they have been British longer then belgium has existed as a free country, can you imagine the US giving california and numerous other states back to mexico? The people on the falkalnds are British, and the falkalnds is their home, who the hell are you to say give it away.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Thursday, March 18 2010, 4:17PM
“:| "The British Government". . Should we take it then that you side with the Argentinians Tim. . They have never owned or occupied the Falklands except during the War. . . I am sure if we we needed the Falklands as a base to guard against world domination by an infidel. . We would take over the Islands and the islanders, however reluctantly, they would accept the situation.”
by TimV, Pz
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:37PM
“The British Government claim sovereignty over the Falklands and use "self determination" as the main reason for keeping it. This should be contrasted with some 2000 residents of the Chagos Islands who were forcibly removed in the 60's and 70's by the british Government, to make way for an American Air Force base on Diego Garcia.
Despite winning recent High Court actions, neither America or Britain have allowed them back.
At the High Court hearing, Sir Sydney Kentridge QC, described the treatment of the Chagossians as, "outrageous, unlawful and a breach of accepted moral standards".
He said there was no known precedent "for the lawful use of prerogative powers to remove or exclude an entire population of British subjects from their homes and place of birth".
Mmmmm! Double standards or what?”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:59AM
“:| Mount Pleasant Airport
Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
RAF Mount Pleasant also known as Mount Pleasant Airport, Mount Pleasant Complex is a military base for the Royal Air Force in the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands. The facility is part of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI). The station, home to between 1,000 and 2,000 British military personnel, is located about thirty miles south-west of Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, on the island of East Falkland. One of the world's longest corridors, half a mile long, links the barracks, messes and recreational and welfare areas of the base.
RAF Mount Pleasant is the most recent purpose-built permanent airfield in the Royal Air Force. The RAF previously had a small base at Stanley airfield after the end of the hostilities in 1982.”
by Mike, Paington
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 10:38PM
“Chorley mate, grow up and stop being a divy OK.”
by Joy, Penzance Cornwall
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 9:10PM
“No wars - not in my name ! Allow the Falkland islanders to relocate here England or Cornwall, i don't mind. Then give the islands back to the Argentinians.
NO TO WAR !”
by Steve, London
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 8:50PM
“Argentina is bankrupt and therefore very unpredictable. They say they will only use peaceful means to get the islands . However, both we and they know that they will never get the islands by talking. They also showed their treachery only 28 years ago - this is not Germany or Japan 70 years ago - this is recent history. We should be very prepared here.”
by scotia, Highlands, Scotland
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 6:08PM
“this subject is ridiculous and becoming incredibly boring. the islanders of the falklands have been there since the early 1800's and are and have chosen to be british. they will not be moved or absorbed by argentina which was not even a nation at the time the settlers arrived. argentina should concentrate on its economy instead of its presidents publicity stunt. even with it supposed allies help there is no chance of taking back the falklands. malvina's my ass... just an argie illusion of hope to get some dignity back after the last bad decision to invade.!”
by Trent, London, England
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 4:35PM
“Malvinas? The FALKLANDS, as its written on every non Argentinian map, is a British Territory occupied by British people. Argentina have never owned it and even with your 32 little south american buddies on your side, you will not succeed in forcibly taking it from us. If you try, you and all your allies will be destroyed. Just so you know...”
by Jose Luis, Argentina
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 2:05PM
“The Islas Malvinas are and will remain Argentinas. For ever and ever... Nuestra patria no se vende, no se presta ni se regala, piratas.”