5 New Messages
Digest #4603
Messages
Sun Jan 13, 2013 6:50 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01
Voice of Russia
January 13, 2013
Air attacks kill 15 in Afghanistan
Planes of the InternationalSecurity Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan bombed a mosque on Sunday killing 15 people.
The tragedy occurred early in the morning in the district of Saidabad district of the Wardak province.
When those who survived the attack began to recover the killed and wounded from the debris the air forces carried out a second strike.
The military said that attack was conducted by the order of the ISAF command.
...
Voice of Russia, RIA
------------------------------
http://www.pajhwok.com/en/
Pajhwok Afghan News
January 13, 2013
7 civilians among 11 killed in ISAF raid
KABUL: Seven civilians and four armed rebels were killed during a predawn operation in the Syedabad district of central Maidan Wardak province on Sunday, officials said.
The governor's office said the raid was carried out by Afghan and foreign troops in Timorkhel and Hassankhel areas of the Taliban-infested district at around 2 am last night.
...
Seven civilians, including a woman, were also killed while trying to recover the bodies. Another civilian was injured in the incident.
Shahidullah Shahid, the governor's spokesman, said they had sent a delegation to the area to investigate the incident and submit its findings. He condemned the civilian deaths, caused by any side, and extended his condolences to the victims’ families.
...
Meanwhile, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) insisted several armed insurgents were killed...
But resident Abdul Ghaffar told Pajhwok Afghan News that coalition troops conducted the raid on the mosque where worshippers were offering morning prayers.
The foreign forces also fired at rescuers, who were retrieving the bodies and injured from the debris, he said, claiming 15 civilians were killed.
Another resident, Jawed Hassani, said American troops continued the operation in Hassankhel until morning. He claimed several civilians were killed and injured.
Haji Qudus, his wife, son and a grandson were killed during the raid. A schoolteacher, Muzamil, and two of sons were also killed, he said.
A public representative, Sher Shah Bazoon, said they had received conflicting reports about the incident. He quoted some residents as saying the area was bombarded. But others said foreign troops carried out ground operations, according to the provincial council member.
==============================
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==============================
Voice of Russia
January 13, 2013
Air attacks kill 15 in Afghanistan
Planes of the InternationalSecurity Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan bombed a mosque on Sunday killing 15 people.
The tragedy occurred early in the morning in the district of Saidabad district of the Wardak province.
When those who survived the attack began to recover the killed and wounded from the debris the air forces carried out a second strike.
The military said that attack was conducted by the order of the ISAF command.
...
Voice of Russia, RIA
------------------------------
http://www.pajhwok.com/en/
Pajhwok Afghan News
January 13, 2013
7 civilians among 11 killed in ISAF raid
KABUL: Seven civilians and four armed rebels were killed during a predawn operation in the Syedabad district of central Maidan Wardak province on Sunday, officials said.
The governor's office said the raid was carried out by Afghan and foreign troops in Timorkhel and Hassankhel areas of the Taliban-infested district at around 2 am last night.
...
Seven civilians, including a woman, were also killed while trying to recover the bodies. Another civilian was injured in the incident.
Shahidullah Shahid, the governor's spokesman, said they had sent a delegation to the area to investigate the incident and submit its findings. He condemned the civilian deaths, caused by any side, and extended his condolences to the victims’ families.
...
Meanwhile, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) insisted several armed insurgents were killed...
But resident Abdul Ghaffar told Pajhwok Afghan News that coalition troops conducted the raid on the mosque where worshippers were offering morning prayers.
The foreign forces also fired at rescuers, who were retrieving the bodies and injured from the debris, he said, claiming 15 civilians were killed.
Another resident, Jawed Hassani, said American troops continued the operation in Hassankhel until morning. He claimed several civilians were killed and injured.
Haji Qudus, his wife, son and a grandson were killed during the raid. A schoolteacher, Muzamil, and two of sons were also killed, he said.
A public representative, Sher Shah Bazoon, said they had received conflicting reports about the incident. He quoted some residents as saying the area was bombarded. But others said foreign troops carried out ground operations, according to the provincial council member.
==============================
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==============================
Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:11 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.c
Hurriyet Daily News
January 13, 2013
Investigation launched after claims of mosque attack in NATO base
Istanbul: The Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an official investigation into a mosque attack at the NATO İncirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana, following claims that the attack was carried out by U.S. soldiers, Doğan News Agency has reported.
Turkish and U.S. generals, as well as other relevant authorities, will be asked for information about the incident as part of the investigation, reports said.
Local media in Adana had earlier reported that a number of soldiers at the İncirlik base entered the mosque on New Year’s Eve, destroying its minbar and windows along with the Quran. Turkey’s chief of staff subsequently denied the allegations.
Windows in the prayer room were broken by unknown individuals and there was some additional small-scale damage, the chief of staff said in a written statement issued late Jan. 10.
==============================
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==============================
Hurriyet Daily News
January 13, 2013
Investigation launched after claims of mosque attack in NATO base
Istanbul: The Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an official investigation into a mosque attack at the NATO İncirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana, following claims that the attack was carried out by U.S. soldiers, Doğan News Agency has reported.
Turkish and U.S. generals, as well as other relevant authorities, will be asked for information about the incident as part of the investigation, reports said.
Local media in Adana had earlier reported that a number of soldiers at the İncirlik base entered the mosque on New Year’s Eve, destroying its minbar and windows along with the Quran. Turkey’s chief of staff subsequently denied the allegations.
Windows in the prayer room were broken by unknown individuals and there was some additional small-scale damage, the chief of staff said in a written statement issued late Jan. 10.
==============================
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==============================
Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:11 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://news.xinhuanet.com/
Xinhua News Agency
January 13, 2013
German soldiers survey southern Turkey to deploy Patriot missiles
ANKARA: German soldiers are surveying Kahramanmaras province in southern Turkey for the deployment of Patriot air defense system, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Saturday.
The systems will be deployed in Turkey as part of a NATO decision to support Turkey's air defense...
NATO members agreed to send six Patriot missile systems, two from Germany, two from the Netherlands and two from the United States, to its ally Turkey...
A German delegation is currently visiting Gazi Military Post in Kahramanmaras.
...
During the Gulf and Iraq wars of 1991 and 2003, NATO deployed Patriot missiles in Turkey but never used them.
==============================
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==============================
Xinhua News Agency
January 13, 2013
German soldiers survey southern Turkey to deploy Patriot missiles
ANKARA: German soldiers are surveying Kahramanmaras province in southern Turkey for the deployment of Patriot air defense system, semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Saturday.
The systems will be deployed in Turkey as part of a NATO decision to support Turkey's air defense...
NATO members agreed to send six Patriot missile systems, two from Germany, two from the Netherlands and two from the United States, to its ally Turkey...
A German delegation is currently visiting Gazi Military Post in Kahramanmaras.
...
During the Gulf and Iraq wars of 1991 and 2003, NATO deployed Patriot missiles in Turkey but never used them.
==============================
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==============================
Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:37 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.globaltimes.cn/
Global Times
January 14, 2013
Abe will appeal to NATO for closer ties
By Liu Sha
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will write a letter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to call for closer ties in the face of China's rising maritime power.
The letter will say that China's frequent patrols in the disputed Diaoyu Islands and increasing maritime power has intensified the security situation in East Asia, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday.
In the letter, Abe will also mention that Japan is ready to take a more active role in maintaining stability and prosperity in East Asia, NHK reported.
According to the report, Katsuyuki Kawai, chairman of the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee of Japan, will arrive at Brussels next Wednesday and bring Abe's personal letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
This letter, viewed as another move by Japan to enhance its military capability, comes after the nation increased its defense budget for the first time in 11 years last Sunday against the background of the Diaoyu Islands disputes.
Japan Self-Defense Forces also conducted a 2,000-man island-retaking drill on Sunday, China Central Television reported.
Liu Jiangyong, deputy director and professor of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, said that Japan would not succeed in uniting NATO.
"NATO's main task was to maintain the peace and protect human rights in Europe and many member countries of NATO are facing economic problems, which they hope to fix with the help of China," Liu told the Global Times.
Liu said Abe was repeating failed moves, referring to the fact that Abe was the first Japanese head to visit NATO headquarters in 2007 but no military ties resulted, as he wished.
Although the two sides shared security threats such as the North Korean nuclear and missile programs, most NATO members do not have a conflict of interest with China in terms of sea territory, Liu said.
In the letter that will be sent to NATO, Abe will also note that North Korea's behavior led to the tense security environment in East Asia, NHK reported.
Abe's first overseas trip after re-taking the position of prime minister was to South East Asian countries in January after his visit to the US was delayed due to US President Barack Obama's tight schedule, Reuters reported.
However, most Southeast countries would not take a side and risk conflict with China, Liu said, adding Japan is on the way to being isolated from other countries.
Lü Chao, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that despite Japan's efforts to fix the relationship with South Korea, Seoul's release of attempted Yasukuni arsonist Liu Qiang, a Chinese national, showed common ground with China.
Abe gave a speech on Friday, accusing China of deliberately targeting Japanese companies during protests against Japan as part of a strategy of confrontation over the territorial dispute.
Agencies contributed to this story
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
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Stop NATO website and articles:
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==============================
Global Times
January 14, 2013
Abe will appeal to NATO for closer ties
By Liu Sha
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will write a letter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to call for closer ties in the face of China's rising maritime power.
The letter will say that China's frequent patrols in the disputed Diaoyu Islands and increasing maritime power has intensified the security situation in East Asia, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday.
In the letter, Abe will also mention that Japan is ready to take a more active role in maintaining stability and prosperity in East Asia, NHK reported.
According to the report, Katsuyuki Kawai, chairman of the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee of Japan, will arrive at Brussels next Wednesday and bring Abe's personal letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
This letter, viewed as another move by Japan to enhance its military capability, comes after the nation increased its defense budget for the first time in 11 years last Sunday against the background of the Diaoyu Islands disputes.
Japan Self-Defense Forces also conducted a 2,000-man island-retaking drill on Sunday, China Central Television reported.
Liu Jiangyong, deputy director and professor of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, said that Japan would not succeed in uniting NATO.
"NATO's main task was to maintain the peace and protect human rights in Europe and many member countries of NATO are facing economic problems, which they hope to fix with the help of China," Liu told the Global Times.
Liu said Abe was repeating failed moves, referring to the fact that Abe was the first Japanese head to visit NATO headquarters in 2007 but no military ties resulted, as he wished.
Although the two sides shared security threats such as the North Korean nuclear and missile programs, most NATO members do not have a conflict of interest with China in terms of sea territory, Liu said.
In the letter that will be sent to NATO, Abe will also note that North Korea's behavior led to the tense security environment in East Asia, NHK reported.
Abe's first overseas trip after re-taking the position of prime minister was to South East Asian countries in January after his visit to the US was delayed due to US President Barack Obama's tight schedule, Reuters reported.
However, most Southeast countries would not take a side and risk conflict with China, Liu said, adding Japan is on the way to being isolated from other countries.
Lü Chao, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that despite Japan's efforts to fix the relationship with South Korea, Seoul's release of attempted Yasukuni arsonist Liu Qiang, a Chinese national, showed common ground with China.
Abe gave a speech on Friday, accusing China of deliberately targeting Japanese companies during protests against Japan as part of a strategy of confrontation over the territorial dispute.
Agencies contributed to this story
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
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==============================
Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:37 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01
Voice of Russia
January 13, 2013
Britain preparing for new Falklands War?
A series of military options are being considered by UK defense chiefs as tension mounts between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, a report by the Sunday Telegraph claims. [ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Extra troops, warships and Typhoon combat aircraft could be dispatched to the islands if needed, ahead of the March 11 referendum on the island’s future, the newspaper claims, citing sources in Britain’s military.
The Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London is also reportedly considering a ‘show of force’, including conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic. These could include the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, a flotilla of destroyers, a frigate, a submarine and Royal Marine commandos.
A more costly alternative would be to deploy the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade, an airborne task force with more than 8,000 soldiers from five infantry battalions, including the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the parachute regiment.
Despite the increasingly hostile rhetoric between London and Buenos Aires, the British government does not believe that Argentina currently has the political will or the military capability to recapture the islands, the newspaper said.
But the prime minister has told his defense chiefs, according to the Sunday Telegraph, that the UK must be prepared for every eventuality.
The March referendum is expected to receive a 100 per cent ‘yes’ vote to the question: ‘Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?’ All of the 3,000 islanders are British.
Voice of Russia, RT
------------------------------
http://rt.com/news/britain-war
RT
January 13, 2013
Britain preparing for new Falklands War?
A series of military options are being considered by UK defense chiefs as tension mounts between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, a report by the Sunday Telegraph claims.
Extra troops, warships and Typhoon combat aircraft could be dispatched to the islands if needed, ahead of the March 11 referendum on the island’s future, the newspaper claims, citing sources in Britain’s military.
The Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London is also reportedly considering a ‘show of force’, including conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic. These could include the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, a flotilla of destroyers, a frigate, a submarine and Royal Marine commandos.
A more costly alternative would be to deploy the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade, an airborne task force with more than 8,000 soldiers from five infantry battalions, including the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the parachute regiment.
The Paras, as they are known, have just completed training exercises in Spain, which covered rapid engagement with conventional armies, not an area of training that most army units have undergone in the past decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The report alleged that some members of Three Para have recently returned from the Falklands as part of a routine deployment and would be well-placed to brief troops deploying there at short notice.
Despite the increasingly hostile rhetoric between London and Buenos Aires, the British government does not believe that Argentina currently has the political will or the military capability to recapture the islands, the newspaper said.
But the prime minister has told his defense chiefs, according to the Sunday Telegraph, that the UK must be prepared for every eventuality.
Last week the PM announced on a BBC TV show that the UK is ready to defend the Falklands if necessary.
“Of course we would [defend the territory], and we have strong defenses in place on the Falkland Islands, that is absolutely key, that we have fast jets stationed there, we have troops stationed on the Falklands,” he said.
The March referendum is expected to receive a 100 per cent ‘yes’ vote to the question: ‘Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?’ All of the 3,000 islanders are British.
The Sunday Telegraph reported claims that intelligence chiefs have warned the prime minster that the Argentinians may carry out an aggressive ‘stunt’ at the same time as the islanders hold their referendum. For example, a small raiding party might plant the country’s flag on the islands or the Argentine navy might conduct a harassment campaign against the Falklands’ fishing fleet, or disrupt British oil and gas exploration.
If the Royal Navy was then ordered to intervene, such a situation could potentially escalate into an exchange of fire.
“Britain needs to be in a situation to respond very quickly to a whole series of threats – that is why we have contingency plans. Our posture has not changed, but neither are we complacent. That is quite normal, commanders like to be two steps ahead rather than two steps behind,” a senior defense source told The Telegraph.
Britain’s current defense of the islands is made up of 1,500 soldiers, four RAF Typhoon jets and anti-aircraft and artillery batteries.
A Royal Navy destroyer, currently HMS Edinburgh, is always on duty in the South Atlantic, alongside the patrol ship HMS Clyde and the ice patrol ship HMS Protector.
However, privately British defense chiefs have been warning that in the event of a full-scale Argentinian invasion of the islands, Britain would be powerless to recapture them.
General Sir Mike Jackson warned in January last year that the UK would not be able to retake the islands if they were captured by Argentine forces.
“"What if an Argentinian force was able to secure the Mount Pleasant airfield? Then our ability to recover the islands now would be just about impossible. We are not in a position to take air power by sea since the demise of the Harrier force,” he told the Telegraph.
A comparison between the capability and size of the UK’s armed forces in 1982, when they retook the islands in a two month military campaign, and of today reveals that Britain may not be able to project sufficient airpower to sustain military action so far from the UK.
In a separate development on Saturday two British P&O cruise ships have shelved plans to dock at three Argentinian ports because of growing tensions over the Falklands. The two liners Arcadia and Adonia are also visiting Port Stanley, the capital of the Islands, as part of their round the world cruises next week. Recently, Argentinian port authorities have refused ships that have visited the Falklands permission to dock.
Despite being defeated by the British task force when General Leopold Galtieri military junta tried to retake the Islands in 1982, the majority of Argentinians support their country’s claim over the islands.
Opinion polls suggest that about two-thirds of Argentinians support their president’s Cristina de Kirchner’s position on the Falklands.
The Falklands dispute has renewed in recent years – in 2007, Argentina reasserted its claim over the islands. Kirchner’s position has hardened since the discovery of potential oil reserves off the islands, as well as last year’s 30th anniversary of the Falklands War.
Voice of Russia
January 13, 2013
Britain preparing for new Falklands War?
A series of military options are being considered by UK defense chiefs as tension mounts between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, a report by the Sunday Telegraph claims. [ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Extra troops, warships and Typhoon combat aircraft could be dispatched to the islands if needed, ahead of the March 11 referendum on the island’s future, the newspaper claims, citing sources in Britain’s military.
The Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London is also reportedly considering a ‘show of force’, including conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic. These could include the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, a flotilla of destroyers, a frigate, a submarine and Royal Marine commandos.
A more costly alternative would be to deploy the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade, an airborne task force with more than 8,000 soldiers from five infantry battalions, including the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the parachute regiment.
Despite the increasingly hostile rhetoric between London and Buenos Aires, the British government does not believe that Argentina currently has the political will or the military capability to recapture the islands, the newspaper said.
But the prime minister has told his defense chiefs, according to the Sunday Telegraph, that the UK must be prepared for every eventuality.
The March referendum is expected to receive a 100 per cent ‘yes’ vote to the question: ‘Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?’ All of the 3,000 islanders are British.
Voice of Russia, RT
------------------------------
http://rt.com/news/britain-war
RT
January 13, 2013
Britain preparing for new Falklands War?
A series of military options are being considered by UK defense chiefs as tension mounts between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, a report by the Sunday Telegraph claims.
Extra troops, warships and Typhoon combat aircraft could be dispatched to the islands if needed, ahead of the March 11 referendum on the island’s future, the newspaper claims, citing sources in Britain’s military.
The Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London is also reportedly considering a ‘show of force’, including conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic. These could include the deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, a flotilla of destroyers, a frigate, a submarine and Royal Marine commandos.
A more costly alternative would be to deploy the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade, an airborne task force with more than 8,000 soldiers from five infantry battalions, including the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the parachute regiment.
The Paras, as they are known, have just completed training exercises in Spain, which covered rapid engagement with conventional armies, not an area of training that most army units have undergone in the past decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The report alleged that some members of Three Para have recently returned from the Falklands as part of a routine deployment and would be well-placed to brief troops deploying there at short notice.
Despite the increasingly hostile rhetoric between London and Buenos Aires, the British government does not believe that Argentina currently has the political will or the military capability to recapture the islands, the newspaper said.
But the prime minister has told his defense chiefs, according to the Sunday Telegraph, that the UK must be prepared for every eventuality.
Last week the PM announced on a BBC TV show that the UK is ready to defend the Falklands if necessary.
“Of course we would [defend the territory], and we have strong defenses in place on the Falkland Islands, that is absolutely key, that we have fast jets stationed there, we have troops stationed on the Falklands,” he said.
The March referendum is expected to receive a 100 per cent ‘yes’ vote to the question: ‘Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?’ All of the 3,000 islanders are British.
The Sunday Telegraph reported claims that intelligence chiefs have warned the prime minster that the Argentinians may carry out an aggressive ‘stunt’ at the same time as the islanders hold their referendum. For example, a small raiding party might plant the country’s flag on the islands or the Argentine navy might conduct a harassment campaign against the Falklands’ fishing fleet, or disrupt British oil and gas exploration.
If the Royal Navy was then ordered to intervene, such a situation could potentially escalate into an exchange of fire.
“Britain needs to be in a situation to respond very quickly to a whole series of threats – that is why we have contingency plans. Our posture has not changed, but neither are we complacent. That is quite normal, commanders like to be two steps ahead rather than two steps behind,” a senior defense source told The Telegraph.
Britain’s current defense of the islands is made up of 1,500 soldiers, four RAF Typhoon jets and anti-aircraft and artillery batteries.
A Royal Navy destroyer, currently HMS Edinburgh, is always on duty in the South Atlantic, alongside the patrol ship HMS Clyde and the ice patrol ship HMS Protector.
However, privately British defense chiefs have been warning that in the event of a full-scale Argentinian invasion of the islands, Britain would be powerless to recapture them.
General Sir Mike Jackson warned in January last year that the UK would not be able to retake the islands if they were captured by Argentine forces.
“"What if an Argentinian force was able to secure the Mount Pleasant airfield? Then our ability to recover the islands now would be just about impossible. We are not in a position to take air power by sea since the demise of the Harrier force,” he told the Telegraph.
A comparison between the capability and size of the UK’s armed forces in 1982, when they retook the islands in a two month military campaign, and of today reveals that Britain may not be able to project sufficient airpower to sustain military action so far from the UK.
In a separate development on Saturday two British P&O cruise ships have shelved plans to dock at three Argentinian ports because of growing tensions over the Falklands. The two liners Arcadia and Adonia are also visiting Port Stanley, the capital of the Islands, as part of their round the world cruises next week. Recently, Argentinian port authorities have refused ships that have visited the Falklands permission to dock.
Despite being defeated by the British task force when General Leopold Galtieri military junta tried to retake the Islands in 1982, the majority of Argentinians support their country’s claim over the islands.
Opinion polls suggest that about two-thirds of Argentinians support their president’s Cristina de Kirchner’s position on the Falklands.
The Falklands dispute has renewed in recent years – in 2007, Argentina reasserted its claim over the islands. Kirchner’s position has hardened since the discovery of potential oil reserves off the islands, as well as last year’s 30th anniversary of the Falklands War.
