MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

More thrust to Argentine-British relations.

Argentina is planning a greater thrust in its relations with Great Britain, particularly regarding the Falkland Islands and with this purpose has added another responsibility to Ambassador Susana Ruiz Ceruti, currently head of South Atlantic Affairs.
As of last week the lady also holds the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, a post usually held by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Argentine press, Ambassador Ruiz Ceruti is considered a "hard liner" in the Falklands issue, close to former president Raúl Alfonsín, and her designation could "be interpreted as a triumph" of those who favour a more firm stand towards London and Washington. However Ambassador Ruiz Ceruti promotion is part of a greater reshuffle in the Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Argentine press indicate that Ambassador Ruiz Ceruti was decisive in the creation of the "umbrella" solution that helped Argentina and the United Kingdom resume Falklands discussions in the late eighties, and also played a leading role in the negotiations leading to the July 14th. Agreement that re-established direct flights from the Islands to the continent.

Ambassador Ruiz Ceruti apparently was also honored by Pope John Paul II because of her participation in helping to solve border disputes between Argentina and Chile.However Ms. Ruiz Ceruti has been quoted in Buenos Aires saying that, "bilateral relations (between Argentina and United Kingdom) remained frozen during the last government, and really the agreements signed by Di Tella were not great solemnities but mere declarations".