The Argentine president, Carlos Menem, says he'll ask Britain to open a dialogue on who should have sovereignty over the Falkland Islands when he visits London later in the week.

However, speaking in a BBC interview , Mr Menem said he did not expect a full discussion on sovereignty.

Britain and Argentina fought a brief war over tbe islands in 1982 and the United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly called for a dialogue.

Mr Menem said sharing sovereignty was one of several possible options for the Islands.

But, responding to Mr Menem's remarks, the British Foreign Secretary , Robin Cook, said sovereignty over the Falklands would only change if people there wanted it to.

Mr Cook said the theme of Mr Menem's visit was reconciliation, and he expected both sides to restate their position on the Falklands.