Britain 'surprised' at Falklands row

London - The Foreign Office played down reports of increased tension with Argentina over fishing rights around the Falklands after a Royal Navy warship was sent to patrol the area for unlicensed trawlers. "We're rather surprised about the way it's being built up into a big confrontation," a spokesman said.

Argentina's foreign minister, Giudo Di Tella, said on Sunday it would be inappropriate for President Carlos Menem to go ahead with a proposed visit to Britain this year unless the fishing dispute was resolved. Argentine reports said British ships patrolling off South Georgia had forced an Argentine fishing to boat to pay $110,000 for a fishing licence. Reuter