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Montevideo, March 29th 2024 - 06:20 UTC

 

 

UK Defence denies London press rumours of a Falklands military build-up

Friday, December 23rd 2011 - 04:36 UTC
Full article 23 comments
Lord West rattled sabers saying a nuke submarine “should stick its mast up” Lord West rattled sabers saying a nuke submarine “should stick its mast up”

After statements published by the English newspaper “The Daily Mail,” in which the former head of the Navy, Lord Alan West, said that a nuclear submarine should be sent to the Malvinas Islands, the United Kingdom assured it does not plan to increase the military presence in the Islands.

British Defence Ministry spokesman affirmed on Thursday that London “does not plan an increase of its military equipment or officials”.

“There was no change in our current position,” he continued.

He added that Lord West’s opinion “do not reflect the ministry’s position” and highlighted that “he is no longer linked and does not have access” to the work carried out by the ministry.

Tension between Argentina and the UK mounted since last Wednesday, when Mercosur member-countries decided to ban the access to the ships with a Falklands/Malvinas flag to their ports.

The “Daily Mail” reported that British military chiefs “are dusting off their plans for the defense of the Falklands”. It added that intelligence chiefs have told Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond and the National Security Council that there is currently “no credible military threat” to the Falklands from the Argentine Navy or Air Force.

But a senior official said: 'If there is a threat preparations would be made very quickly”

Daily Mail indicated that sources say a nuclear submarine is also stationed in the South Atlantic, and Lord West demanded that it 'stick its mast up' to deter aggression.

A veteran of the 1982 Falklands conflict as commander of HMS Ardent, sunk by the Argentines” Alan West said that “When one (submarine) is there, it should stick its mast up and make a point of making it clear that it is there. I think the Foreign Office should be tougher. This has been ratcheting up for some time. We've got to make clear that sovereignty is not on the table. The people who live there want to remain British”.

 

 

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  • ElaineB

    TheDaily Mail. *sigh* They love stirring up a good war to fill the column inches usually devoted to zenophobic and misogynist stories.

    The British are not gearing up for war. They are simply reiterating they will defend the The Falklands if required to. Argentina should be in no doubt.

    Dec 23rd, 2011 - 08:09 am 0
  • lsolde

    Well we should be gearing up for war. Don't want to be caught with our knickers down again.!
    Loved your descriptions of the “corks”!

    Dec 23rd, 2011 - 08:46 am 0
  • Lord Ton

    “There was no change in our current position,” he continued.

    ?? I wonder what that means then? :-)

    Dec 23rd, 2011 - 09:19 am 0
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