Falklands tensions serve all parties - except the Falklanders

Argentina's spat with Britain over the Falklands benefits politicians and military officers, but not the islanders themselves

When Argentina invaded the Falklands in April 1982, it came as a shock to most of Whitehall. With communications to the islands disrupted, for several excruciating hours Margaret Thatcher's government, then not known for its competence, was unable to confirm if the islands had actually been captured.

Thirty years on, tensions between Britain and Argentina over the islands have been building up much more steadily, publicly and self-consciously.

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