Argentina Takes Falklands Case To UN

Argentina's foreign minister has spoken at the United Nations to officially protest Britain's "militarisation" of the seas around the disputed Falkland Islands.

Hector Timerman attacked the UK, saying the Falklands represent "the last refuge of a declining empire".

He went on to say the UK "seems to see the South Atlantic in the same light as it sees the Persian Gulf and Iran".

Mr Timerman also said he was a "firm believer" that problems should be resolved peacefully between countries and even quoted Beatles singer John Lennon, saying "let's give peace a chance".

He summed up saying: "The UK is using the unjustified defence of self-determination as cover for establishing a powerful military presence that serves the UK's interests."

The UK's ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall-Grant responded, calling Argentina's accusations "manifestly absurd".

"Nothing in the UK's defence posture has changed in recent months or years," he said. "The only thing that has changed is the politics of Argentina."

But he warned: "We are not ratcheting anything up, but be assured we are responsible for the defence and security of the people of the Falkland Islands, and we will defend those people if necessary."

Sky News reporter Hannah Peter-Thomas, in New York, said: "In terms of petitioning the Security Council, remember that the UK has a veto there and would use it if anything came up in that forum."

It comes after Argentine President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner lashed out earlier this week at the UK's decision to send one of its most modern warships to the South Atlantic region.

Downing Street rejected her claims saying the destroyer HMS Dauntless was merely sent to replace the frigate HMS Montrose.

A Foreign Office spokesman added: "The people of the Falkland Islands are British out of choice. They are free to determine their own future and there will be no negotiations with Argentina over sovereignty unless the islanders wish it."

Last week Prince William began a six-week posting in the region in his role as an RAFsearch and rescue pilot.

Amid the ongoing dispute, a Falkland Islands newspaper sparked Argentine outrage after an employee posted a picture of Argentine president Cristina Kirchner on its site labelled "bitch".

The offending filename was quickly renamed by Penguin News editor Lisa Watson from the site, but not before generating a storm of angry Argentine tweets and emails.

The Penguin editor tweeted: "not my aim to cause anger - but PN (Penguin) staff have naughty sense of humour."

Daily Argentine newspaper La Nacion complained about the insult explaining to its readers that the English word was one of strong disrespect.

Speaking to the Guardian before the incident Lisa Watson said she frequently received many hostile emails and tweets.

The editor said: "The threats I try not to take seriously, particularly as the individuals tend to sign their name and even offer 'besos' (kisses) after claiming they are coming to the Falklands and their first task will be to kill me."

The simmering tensions between London and Buenos Aires come in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the 1982 Falklands war, which saw Argentinian forces invade the archipelago in a row over its sovereignty.