Wednesday, February 1, 2012
UK brings forward Prince William's deployment to Malvinas Islands
After all the fuzz created over the UK’s decision to send its most advanced warship to Malvinas Islands, the British government confirmed that Prince William will begin his six-week deployment in the Islands earlier than expected. The heir to the throne arrived today to the Archipelago.
Thus, Prince William will be crewing one of two search-and-rescue helicopters on call 24 hours a day for missions flying out of a large British military base, 45 minutes from Puerto Argentino, the islands' capital.
Foreign Minister hector Timerman slammed Prince William's visit, saying that the heir to the British throne would be arriving as a “conqueror.”
However, the British Ministry of Defence stressed that the mission was routine as the Royal Navy press officer rejected suggestions the decision to send the ultra-modern destroyer HMS Dauntless to the region represented an escalation of the UK's position.
Referring to the deployment of HMS Dauntless and William's tour of duty as an RAF search and rescue pilot, Timerman last night expressed his rejection to “the British attempt to militarize the conflict'”.
It also expressed regret that an heir to the throne would arrive wearing '”the uniform of a conqueror”.
Likewise, the Foreign Ministry released a statement indicating that “Governments should avoid the temptation of falling into a discourse ... that aims to distract public attention from belt-tightening economic policies.”
Last year, many government officials considered William's deployment as a provocative act that shows Britain's military presence in a zone of peace where there is no armed conflict.
UK’s General Sir David Richards denied that sending the Duke of Cambridge to the Malvinas Islands was designed to provoke Argentina.
In conversations with British reporters, the military said: “'I can absolutely tell you it wasn't and isn't designed to be.”
Thus, Prince William will be crewing one of two search-and-rescue helicopters on call 24 hours a day for missions flying out of a large British military base, 45 minutes from Puerto Argentino, the islands' capital.
Foreign Minister hector Timerman slammed Prince William's visit, saying that the heir to the British throne would be arriving as a “conqueror.”
However, the British Ministry of Defence stressed that the mission was routine as the Royal Navy press officer rejected suggestions the decision to send the ultra-modern destroyer HMS Dauntless to the region represented an escalation of the UK's position.
Referring to the deployment of HMS Dauntless and William's tour of duty as an RAF search and rescue pilot, Timerman last night expressed his rejection to “the British attempt to militarize the conflict'”.
It also expressed regret that an heir to the throne would arrive wearing '”the uniform of a conqueror”.
Likewise, the Foreign Ministry released a statement indicating that “Governments should avoid the temptation of falling into a discourse ... that aims to distract public attention from belt-tightening economic policies.”
Last year, many government officials considered William's deployment as a provocative act that shows Britain's military presence in a zone of peace where there is no armed conflict.
UK’s General Sir David Richards denied that sending the Duke of Cambridge to the Malvinas Islands was designed to provoke Argentina.
In conversations with British reporters, the military said: “'I can absolutely tell you it wasn't and isn't designed to be.”
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Gov't condemns UK's decision to send warship to Malvinas
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