Britain’s ‘small’ military upgrades in Falklands provokes Argentina’s anger

Argentina’s foreign minister yesterday criticised Britain for building up its military capacity in the disputed Falkland Islands - a small increase that caused a big stir in the South American country.

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said Britain’s decision underscored an unwillingness to negotiate in the face of UN resolutions urging the two nations to do so.

“It’s not only a provocation for Argentina but is also an insult to the United Nations,” Timerman told local station Radio Del Plata.

Timerman said the decision was a way for Britain to justify increasing its military budget, a claim made by other Argentine officials.

“Argentina has no plans for conflict with any country while Great Britain is continually at war in some part of the world,” Timerman said.

On Tuesday, British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the military would add two transport helicopters and an enhanced communications system to its defence systems on the islands.