MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina confirms Malvinas policy

One of the first statements from the new Argentine Secretary of Foreign Affairs was to confirm Argentina's “imprescriptible” rights over Falklands sovereignty.

In a official release recalling "the 169th . illegitimate occupation, the people and government of Argentina reaffirm the imprescriptible sovereignty rights of Argentina over the Falkland, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and their adjoining maritime space". The Falklands according to Argentina were invaded and illegitimately occupied by British troops on January 2nd. 1833, and it has become state policy every January 2nd. to claim sovereignty over the Islands with an official release. British policy has been to respect, --and defend-- the right to self determination of Islanders. Further on the release indicates that the Argentine government is convinced that the "resumption of negotiations on the issue of sovereignty will contribute to create the appropriate framework to achieve a fair and definitive solution to the dispute". Argentina and Britain went to war over the Falklands in 1982, and it was not until the Menem administration (1989-1999) that full diplomatic relations between both countries were re-established. Argentina's most successful, --regarding the Falklands--, Foreign Secretary, and most respected by Islanders, was Mr. Guido Di Tella who became famous for his "charm offensive". Mr. Di Tella, who passed away in the eve of New Year, conquered the respect of Islanders for admitting publicly that without taking into account the Islanders there will be no solution to the Falklands dispute. Analysts believe the new Peronist administration will have a stronger stance regarding Falklands policy, contrary to what happened under president Menem and Mr. Di Tella.