Brown says Britain firm on Falklands claim

SANTIAGO, Chile, March 28 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he will not negotiate the Falkland Islands' sovereignty with Argentine President Cristina Kirchner.

Brown reiterated his country's stance on the South Atlantic archipelago prior to talks Saturday with Kirchner and other top Argentine officials in Chile, The Daily Telegraph said.

"There is nothing to discuss from our side," Brown said of the planned talks at the Progressive Governance conference. "The essential principle has always been that the islands should determine the issue of sovereignty for themselves."

"Let us be clear our first priority will always be the needs and the wishes of the islanders. They are a proud and strong community that have my total support and respect."

Kirchner pledged to gain the islands' sovereignty during her 2007 presidential run, the British newspaper said. Argentina unsuccessfully attempted to invade the Falklands in 1982 in an attempt to wrest control away from the United Kingdom.