British Government Using Falklands for Election Gains: Argentina

A senior Argentine government official said on Wednesday that Britain's remark that Argentina remains a threat to the disputed Falkland Islands is baseless and aimed at stirring nationalist sentiment ahead of a May general election in that country. Britain's defense secretary told lawmakers on Tuesday that it would reinforce its military presence on the Falklands to ensure they were properly protected. Daniel Filmus, a top official in the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of Falkland-related issues, said in an interview, "They are provoking Argentina, hoping that the country reacts in order to strengthen nationalist feelings ... thinking that it will favor them in their election."