MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands denies any arrangements for SAR pilot Prince William

Paul Martinez First Sec. Goverment House

Falkland Islands deputy governor Paul Martinez described British press reports on Prince William doing part of his 18 month RAF Search and Rescue (SAR) course in the South Atlantic Islands (claimed by Argentina) as speculation and not correct.

"Prince William has yet to complete his (SAR) training and the story was a result of misinterpretation by the UK press, and no arrangements have been made regarding him coming to the Falklands" said the Foreign Office official interviewed on Monday by the Falklands radio station. Earlier in the day the Argentine government had reacted angrily to London press reports that Prince William, second in line to the British throne, could spend up to three months in the Falkland Islands as part of his SAR training. "This in but evidence of the continued British military presence in the Islas Malvinas and in South Atlantic maritime and territorial spaces which are integral part of the Argentine Republic", said Argentine Ministry of Foreign Relations "reliable sources" quoted by the Buenos Aires press. Details of the Prince's future possible posting to the Falklands were revealed on the front page of the RAF News, an internal Ministry of Defence publication, and were picked up in a piece by the "Sunday Telegraph". The article appeared with the headline "Wills faces tough Falklands test in Search and Rescue debut" and states that the Prince looks set to be sent to the South Atlantic once he has passed his SAR flying course. "The illegitimate British occupation and particularly the presence in the Mount Pleasant military base continues to be rejected and protested by Argentina", added the Buenos Aires ministry sources. According to the Argentine press MPA has a total garrison of 500 men and 100 infantry. In other related news from Chile, Pte. Michelle Bachelet will be hosting Prince Charles and his wife between March 8 and 11th.