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Sean Penn's Argentina Falklands support angers Simon Weston | Sean Penn's Argentina Falklands support angers Simon Weston |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Falklands veteran Simon Weston has strongly criticised the actor Sean Penn in a row over the islands' ownership. | Falklands veteran Simon Weston has strongly criticised the actor Sean Penn in a row over the islands' ownership. |
It comes after the double Oscar winner claimed the UK was "colonialist" in retaining the Falklands. | It comes after the double Oscar winner claimed the UK was "colonialist" in retaining the Falklands. |
With the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict near, Mr Weston, a former Welsh Guardsman, said the actor did not know what he was talking about. | With the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict near, Mr Weston, a former Welsh Guardsman, said the actor did not know what he was talking about. |
Mr Penn said he was on the Argentines' side after meeting President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Buenos Aires. | Mr Penn said he was on the Argentines' side after meeting President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Buenos Aires. |
He met political leaders in his role as ambassador-at-large for Haiti and called the Falklands by their Argentinian name, Las Malvinas. | He met political leaders in his role as ambassador-at-large for Haiti and called the Falklands by their Argentinian name, Las Malvinas. |
Mr Weston suffered serious burns in an Argentine bomb attack on the ship Sir Galahad that killed 48 people in 1982. | Mr Weston suffered serious burns in an Argentine bomb attack on the ship Sir Galahad that killed 48 people in 1982. |
'Propaganda-mongers' | 'Propaganda-mongers' |
Mr Weston claimed the actor had "fallen into the hands of the Argentine propaganda-mongers" and had given too little regard to people on the Falklands. | Mr Weston claimed the actor had "fallen into the hands of the Argentine propaganda-mongers" and had given too little regard to people on the Falklands. |
"The only people that matter are the islanders. They cannot sleep easy and he's shown no sensitivity over their situation. | "The only people that matter are the islanders. They cannot sleep easy and he's shown no sensitivity over their situation. |
"These people are living in the shadow of a regime prepared to invade, to steal their freedom and democracy," he said. | "These people are living in the shadow of a regime prepared to invade, to steal their freedom and democracy," he said. |
"He's stirring up trouble for a small group of people who have to be heavily defended." | "He's stirring up trouble for a small group of people who have to be heavily defended." |
Mr Penn also said, during a press conference, that deploying the Duke of Cambridge to the islands was "not necessary" and "unthinkable". | Mr Penn also said, during a press conference, that deploying the Duke of Cambridge to the islands was "not necessary" and "unthinkable". |
Mr Weston said the criticisms were "disgusting". | Mr Weston said the criticisms were "disgusting". |
He added: "Prince William is a proud, decent and caring young man who is carrying out his job." | He added: "Prince William is a proud, decent and caring young man who is carrying out his job." |
Tensions between the UK and Argentina have been running higher than usual after the Duke's deployment as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. | Tensions between the UK and Argentina have been running higher than usual after the Duke's deployment as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. |
Mr Penn's remarks come as the 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War approaches on 2 April. | Mr Penn's remarks come as the 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War approaches on 2 April. |
A total of 255 British servicemen were killed retaking the islands after the Argentine military junta invaded in 1982, while 649 Argentine troops died. |
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