Prince William not wanted on Falklands

A proposal to deploy Prince William on the Falkland Islands for three months has prompted Jorge Taina, an aide to Argentina's foreign minister, to warn that his presence on the South Atlantic archipelago could re-ignite another ferocious sovereignty debate.

"This circumstance only serves to once again highlight Britain's ongoing military presence in land and sea areas that are part of the Argentine Republic's national territories," he said.

The news of the posting was broken in RAF News, which claimed that William would be sent to the Falklands by the Royal Air Force to serve as a search and rescue pilot, after he completes his 18-month RAF course in 2009.

Prince William's uncle, Prince Andrew, then a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy, took part in the Falklands War, which came about when Argentine forces invaded the islands in 1982. The conflict claimed 649 Argentine and 255 British lives before the junta, led by General Galtieri, surrendered. However, the country still maintains its claim to the islands, which it calls Las Malvinas.

Jorge Taina's remarks could prove a blessing for the nightclub-loving prince. In addition to having to spend three months way from his girlfriend, Kate Midddleton, the Falkland Islands is  one of the least popular postings in the armed forces due to its distance from the UK, the general lack of things to do, and the appalling weather thrown up by the South Atlantic. ·