UK complaint on Falklands breach

Argentina still disputes sovereignty over the Falkland Islands

Britain has made a formal complaint to Argentina over the activity of one of its naval vessels in waters off the Falkland Islands.

The Argentine ice breaker, the Admiral Irizar, entered Falklands waters in contravention of local shipping rules.

Two weeks ago it challenged trawlers to identify themselves and provide proof of their fishing permits.

Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell has met with Argentina's ambassador to London to make a formal protest.

In a written statement to the Commons Mr Rammell said the Admiral Irizar had entered the Falklands' outer conservation zone and interim conservation zone on 15 and 16 March.

Sovereignty dispute

"While transit of the conservation zones is permissible, the policing of the zones by a foreign vessel contravenes the Falklands Islands exclusive jurisdiction," he said.

The British have exclusive rights over the waters around the Falklands but Argentina still claims sovereignty over the South Atlantic archipelago.

It calls the islands the Malvinas and does not recognise the zone as British.

A spokesman for Argentina's Foreign Ministry told the BBC the government in Buenos Aires had nothing to say on the matter.

But BBC South America correspondent Elliott Gotkine said the government let it be known through the Argentine media that the Admiral Irizar was carrying out what it described as security operations and controls of illegal fishing.

Flights row

The British Government said Buenos Aires had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Mr Rammell met with Ambassador Federico Mirre last Thursday to make a formal protest and to ensure the incident would not be repeated.

"This note also reiterated that the British Government has no doubts about UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands," Mr Rammell added.

Mr Rammell said he had spoken to Falkland Islands councillors about the incident and assured them of "our continued firm support".

This row comes a little over a month after Mr Rammell's visit to Buenos Aires which was designed to persuade Argentina to overturn a decision preventing charter flights from using its air space on the way to the Falklands.

People familiar with the situation suggested the two sides were close to an agreement, but this latest incident could complicate matters, said Elliott Gotkine.