Brown dismisses Falklands claims

Gordon Brown has dismissed Argentina's claims to the Falklands ahead of talks with the country's leader. The Prime Minister insisted there was "nothing to discuss" with President Cristina Kirchner over the sovereignty of the islands. Ms Kirchner has pledged to secure the return of the disputed territory, over which the two states went to war in 1982. She is expected to raise the issue alongside economic concerns when she holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Brown in Chile. But the Prime Minister said: "There is nothing to discuss from our side. "The essential principle has always been that the islanders should determine the issue of sovereignty for themselves and, let us be clear, our first priority will always be the needs and wishes of the islanders." Mr Brown added: "They are a proud and strong community and they have my total support and respect." He said there were "ongoing discussions" about whether flights from the island should be allowed to use Argentinian territory, and whether the families of war dead from Argentina should be allowed to visit cemeteries. "But as on this and every other issue, it is the needs and wishes of the islanders that are our first priority," he added. The meeting comes at a conference for left-leaning governments on the fifth and final day of the premier's pre-G20 tour, which has stopped in Strasbourg, New York, Brazil and now Chile.

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ITN | March 28, 2009

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