**The Royal Navy’s presence in the South Atlantic should be increased after a dispute with Argentina, shadow foreign secretary William Hague has said.**Argentina has announced new controls on ships passing through its waters to the Falkland Islands, in the wake of British plans to drill for oil.
Mr Hague said a raised profile would show the UK would be “very firm”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has denied reports a naval taskforce is on its way to the Falklands.
The Sun newspaper reported up to three ships were to join the islands’ regular patrol vessel.
However, the MoD said Britain already had a permanent presence in the South Atlantic that included four ships as well as more than a thousand military personnel on the islands.
‘Very clear’
After Argentina’s invasion of the Falklands in 1982, a UK taskforce seized back control in a short war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers.
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the UK appeared keen not to escalate the current row over oil and gas exploration in the South Atlantic despite Argentina’s tightening of controls on all shipping using its ports that wished to travel to or from the Falkland Islands.
“One of the things that went wrong in the 1980s is that the Argentines thought we weren’t really committed to the Falkland Islands”
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague
Have Your Say: How serious is row
Our correspondent Andrew Harding in Buenos Aires said it was difficult to find anyone in Argentina who believed the Falklands were in danger of triggering a military conflict.
But Argentine deputy foreign minister Victorio Taccetti said his country would take “adequate measures” to stop oil exploration.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Hague called for “some sort of increased naval presence - it may just be one more ship visiting more regularly” in the region.
He added: "That kind of thing would show very clearly to Argentina - with whom, again, we want friendly relations - that we will be very firm about this. It would send a signal not to misunderstand British intentions.
“One of the things that went wrong in the 1980s is that the Argentines thought we weren’t really committed to the Falkland Islands. So, we mustn’t make that mistake again. Our commitment should be very clear.”
Buenos Aires claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which it calls Islas Malvinas.
It has previously threatened that any company exploring for oil and gas in the waters around the territory will not be allowed to operate in Argentina.
Energy reserves
On Tuesday, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez signed a decree requiring all vessels travelling between Argentina and the islands, or those wanting to cross Argentine territorial waters en route to the Falklands, to seek prior permission.
But a drilling rig from the Scottish highlands, the Ocean Guardian, is nearing the islands and due to start drilling next week, the UK-based company Desire Petroleum has said.
Last week, a ship carrying drilling equipment was detained by Argentine officials.
Geologists say the ocean bed surrounding the Falklands could contain rich energy reserves.
Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by Britain.
On Thursday, an MoD spokesman said the government was “fully committed” to the Falklands, adding: “A deterrence force is maintained on the islands.”
The Foreign Office said the UK and Argentina were “important partners” on issues such as the global economy and climate change.
“And we want, and have offered, to co-operate on South Atlantic issues,” a spokesman added. “We will work to develop this relationship further.”
Parliamentary Falkland Islands Group secretary Andrew Rosindell said “Argentina needs to behave like a modern democratic nation” and recognise “there is no way that any British government will concede sovereignty over the islands or the water around the islands”.
The waters surrounding the disputed islands are considered by the UK to be part of the British Overseas Territories.
But Buenos Aires believes the UK is illegally occupying the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
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