MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Prince William and Falklands: no decision taken says MoD

Prince William's helicopter has yet to take off and is already in a storm

Confirming what was advanced by Mercopress, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday “no decision has been taken to post Prince Williams to the Falklands”, following news in the British press which caused a strong reaction from Argentina that has sovereignty claims over the South Atlantic islands.

"Prince Williams has only just started his search and rescue (SAR) training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School, so it is far too early for any such decision to be made", added the Ministry of Defence spokesperson. On Monday, Paul Martínez First Secretary at Government House in Stanley said that no arrangements had been made for Prince Williams in the Falklands and described British press reports 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. The Sunday Telegraph reported that William, second in line to the British throne, would be sent to the Falkland Islands by the Royal Air Force to serve as a pilot for three months, after he completes his 18-month RAF course in 2009. The London newspaper was citing the RAF News an in-house UK Ministry of Defence publication. On Monday the Argentine government reacted angrily to London press reports that Prince William could spend up to three months in the Falkland Islands as part of his SAR training. "This evidence only highlights the ongoing 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. "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. In 1982 a British Task Force sent by then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher retook the Falklands which had been invaded by Argentine forces. It was a bloody 74 days conflict, April to June 14, in which 649 Argentines and 255 Britons were killed. Prince William's uncle Prince Andrew took part in the military operation while serving as a helicopter pilot for the Royal Navy. In spite of the military surrender Argentina continues to claim the Falklands and other South Atlantic islands and maritime spaces.