MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

British Defence Minister talks of Falklands/Argentina “Cooperation”

Geoffrey Hoon, the British Secretary of State for Defence, on a brief one-day visit to the Falkland Islands, has stressed the importance of ?wider cooperation' between the Islands and Argentina.

Speaking at a press conference at Government House, he spoke frequently of, ?the areas of natural common interest', which both Countries can explore. He spoke of ?joint Search & Rescue missions, Fisheries and a whole range of bilateral issues' which can be explored.

Mr. Hoon will fly directly from the Islands by a Royal Air Force V.C.10 aircraft to Santiago, Chile on Tuesday, and then visit Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He said that there, ?Still needs to be more cooperation on a greater number of issues that can be developed together', between the Governments in Port Stanley and Buenos Aires. He talked of the, ?real practical benefits', which can be forthcoming to both Countries, from wider cooperation.

Mr. Hoon said that he had talked to members of the Falklands Government (elected Councillors) about this subject. He said that he recognized that the Councillors still retained an, ?underlying anxiety, which was understandable' about Argentina, some 20 years after Argentine Forces invaded the Islands. However he reiterated the British Government's commitment to defend the Falklands. He expressed his delight over, ?the progress of implementing the 1999 Joint Statement in terms of fisheries scientific surveys, minefield clearance and a permanent Argentine memorial at the War Cemetery'.

The Defence Minister, who is making his second visit to the Falklands since coming to office, said that he, ?did not believe that there was now a real threat to the Islands from Argentina'. However he indicated that this does not allow for complacency within the Ministry of Defence, stating strongly, 'we are vigilant'. He also spoke of Britain's ?absolute commitment as far as the Islanders right to self-determination is concerned'.

Asked why he was proposing to visit Argentina so soon after the recent political and economic upheaval in the Country, Mr. Hoon spoke of the need to discuss various issues with the new Argentine Administration, and the need to, ?build and develop', with the Government of President Duhalde. He said that he would be meeting the Argentine Defence Minister, while in Buenos Aires, and also officials from the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs.