MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands, global espionage and multilateral organizations in CFK dialogue with Ban Ki-moon

Ban Ki-moon with Cristina: ‘UK said no to Falklands sovereignty discussions’

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez visited on Monday afternoon United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and called for a restructuring of multilateral organisations in order to improve performance, using as an example regional body Unasur (Union of South American Nations).

Cristina Fernandez also underlined Argentina’s claim over the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty dispute with the UK and signalled that “global regulation” was necessary for cases of espionage.

“What we have repeatedly maintained is the need for a rethink on international bodies, and on the capacity they have to be real intermediaries in conflicts. That is what is on the line,” the head of state remarked ahead of a debate at the UN Security Council scheduled for Tuesday.

“We will discuss what several countries have already addressed, the issue of spying, the need for global regulation in this area, not only due to the question of peace and national security, but also the security and privacy of individuals,” she added.

Cristina Fernandez also commented that the head of the UN had passed on the UK's negative response to an offer to discuss the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty.

“The secretary-general of the UN has had his services as a mediator repeatedly requested. I have asked again today, but the secretary said that the United Kingdom refuses talks, so it looks difficult to him.”

Argentina is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and has also assumed command of the rotating presidency of the 15-nation organism.

Cristina Fernandez said it was an ‘honour’ for Argentina to chair the Security Council, but insisted that a ‘deep reform’ is needed both in the number of members of the Council and of its work methodology.

During the meeting with foreign minister Hector Timerman attending, the Argentine president brought up the issue of Bolivian president Evo Morales whose aircraft was impeded from over-flying several European countries on suspicion he might be transporting the fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The episode was described by Cristina Fernandez as “a clear and flagrant violation of International law and a personal affront to a president”.

On Tuesday the UN Secretary-General will open a high-level debate on ”Cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-Regional Organizations in the Maintenance of Peace and Security, with Cristina Fernandez as one of the main speakers.

Commenting on Tuesday’s event Argentine UN ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval said “it will mark the first time Latin American organizations will be able to share their views on the issue with the UN’s most powerful body”.

Representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the African Union and the Arab League have been invited to brief the council, Perceval said. Representatives of the Organization of American States, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will also participate.