MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands Councillors reject latest proposal on air links with Argentina.
Following a confidential telephone discussion with British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell, Falklands Councillors have confirmed that there has been no breakthrough with respect to air links between the Islands and Argentina.
Six of the eight elected members of the Legislature spoke with Mr. Rammell in London, shortly after he returned from his recent visit to Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
Speculation has been high in the Argentine press that 4 new flights between Argentina and the Falklands will be shortly introduced, in return for Buenos Aires lifting the current ban on charter flights between Santiago and the Falklands. It was also suggested that direct links between Buenos Aires and the Islands will be established before the consecration of the newly constructed Argentine War Memorial at Darwin, which is due to arrive in the islands shortly.
Spokesman, Councillor Roger Edwards, told Falklands radio, "We can categorically state that NO agreement has been reached, particularly on the basis reported in the Argentine press, and any proposals will have to be discussed with the Islanders and before any agreement signed they (proposals) would have to get Islanders consent". Councillor Edwards insisted that Minister Rammell was in full agreement with this stipulation as requested by the Falklands Legislative members.
Mr. Edwards confirmed that the recent meeting in Buenos Aires between the British Foreign Office Minister and Argentine officials. "had brought some proposals, but no agreement".
He added, "There is much speculation, and there are talks going on, and we would like to see a resumption of charter flights, and we would also like to see a second weekly Lan Chile flight, but with all these things we want to ensure that they are in our best interests......."
He read from a press statement, issued by the Falklands Government - "The proposals as they stand should not be taken forward. They fall short of the criteria we need to resolve this disagreement. Nevertheless we understand that the United Kingdom Government will remain engaged (in talks) with the Argentine Government on air links and on other issues".
The weekly Lan Chile scheduled flight remains unaffected by the Argentine ban, as it was agreed by all sides under the 1999 Joint Statement, which was signed by the Argentine, British and Falklands Governments.
Bill Brown - MercoPress - Port Stanley.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!