MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ deployment of Prince William not intended to be a “provocative act”

General Sir David Richards, Chief of the Defence Staff: “no repeat of the mistake made in 1982”

Britain's chief of armed forces David Richards denied that the recent announcement of the deployment of Prince William to the Falklands Islands was a “provocative act” towards Argentina.

“It wasn't and isn't designed to be,” he said on an interview, in which he described that it is routine for Prince William, a helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force, to be deployed overseas for practice, as any other pilot would.

“Prince William, along with his brother Prince Harry, is a regular member of the armed forces and they do their stint in the roster that comes all our ways,” Richards told Sky News.

Richards also said that the UK-Argentine relationship has been constructive so far, and explained that even though there’s a “clear disagreement” between both countries when it comes to the Falkland Islands’ sovereignty, both sides are “firmly against repeating the mistake made in 1982” when the two nations went to war.

Last Thursday the British government announced that Prince William was going to be deployed in the Falklands for practice as the helicopter pilot of a search and rescue team for at least six weeks, in February and March 2012.

The deployment, which will come shortly before the 30th anniversary of Argentina's defeat in the Falklands War and Argentina head of the Malvinas Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Brugo Marco told the paper La Nacion the move was a “provocative act.”

British officials said William's posting is a normal part of his training and that he would not undertake any ceremonial royal duties during the deployment. His wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, will remain in Britain.

William, the second in line to the throne, will begin the deployment in February. His uncle, Prince Andrew, served in the Falklands conflict as a Sea King helicopter co pilot.

When the deployment of the Duke of Cambridge was announced 10 November the elected government of the Falkland Islands from Gilbert House made public a welcome and support message.

“We welcome the deployment of HRH the Duke of Cambridge to the Falkland Islands, as we welcome all RAF Search and Rescue pilots to the Falklands. The RAF Search and Rescue crews provide an invaluable service by improving safety and saving lives.

“We very much hope that the Prince William will enjoy his time working on our Islands.

Finally the Falkland Islands Government are not aware of any further detail of the deployment and advise that the Ministry of Defense should be contacted with any questions”.