Argentina forces cruise ship to lower the UK f lag
ARGeNTINA was yesterday accused of ‘insulting’ Britain by demanding a cruise ship lower the UK flag.
Luxury liner Queen Victoria was ordered to take down the Red ensign while it was docked in Buenos Aires, or ‘face trouble’.
The flag – known as the ‘Red Duster’ – is flown by all UK civilian ships.
The extraordinary threat, revealed by Channel 4 News last night, is thought to be an attempt to stoke up tensions over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
It came to light because former head of the Navy, Admiral Lord West, commander of hMS Ardent when it was sunk during the Falklands war, was on the cruise ship.
Last night the Foreign Office issued a statement condemning the sabre-rattling as ‘unacceptable harassment and intimidation’.
The Queen Victoria, described by shipping company Cunard as ‘exuding elegance and graceful splendour’, was on a voyage around South America earlier this month.
Passengers paid several thousands of pounds to experience the continent’s beautiful scenery. The itinerary did not include a visit to the Falklands, which have been a British territory since 1833.
But when the liner docked in the Argentine capital, Captain Inger Olsen, who is understood to be the only female cruise ship captain, was contacted by the port authorities.
Argentina’s largest province has passed a law banning the flying of the flag from docking there. She complied with their order to lower the flag to protect the safety of the passengers.
Lord West said: ‘The captain said that she had basically been threatened with a very punitive fine of about $10,000 (£7,300) and also told there would be trouble if she didn’t take down the Red ensign. I was quite shocked about that. I think it is outrageous behaviour by the Argentinians. I think it is an insult to the nation.’
he added: ‘I am sure it was done to put pressure on this Falkland Island issue.’
A Cunard spokesman said: ‘As requested by the port authorities whilst Queen Victoria was in Argentinian waters the Cunard flag was flown rather than the Red ensign.’
The Foreign Office said: ‘This appears to be another example of unacceptable harassment and intimidation. We robustly defend UK interests against any attempts by the Government of Argentina to disrupt any lawful commercial activity.’
Diplomatic friction between Britain and Argentina has increased since 2010, when the Government authorised oil exploration near the islands.
In an historic referendum in the Falklands last year, and overseen by international observers, islanders voted to remain a British territory.
The Argentine embassy in London said: ‘According to Argentinian port authorities, no incident with the Queen Victoria took place.’