MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Carlos Menem hopes to visit the Islands soon.
Presidential candidate Carlos Menem today said he hopes to be visiting the Falkland Islands as early June, when, if elected in the forthcoming presidential elections, he will be president for the third time and by when he hopes Aerolineas Argentinas will be flying to the Islands.
Speaking at a breakfast-time meeting with foreign journalists in Argentina, from his "bunker" in downtown Buenos Aires, the former president said that if he is elected for a third time in Argentina he will continue with the policy he began during his previous governments regarding the Falkland Islands "to recover the sovereignty of the Islands, the only way there is, which is diplomatically".
"We will strengthen our possibilities through agreements we will reach with the United Kingdom, which we began during our first government when Domingo Cavallo was foreign minister. Our policies regarding this matter have not changed, on the contrary they become stronger" he said.
During the hour long meeting, Menem was questioned on numerous aspects of the current electoral campaign; how he would get Argentina out of the severe crisis it is currently going through and assured he will "undoubtedly" be elected president "in the first round" of the presidential elections due to take place on April 27th.
Chatting informally to some of those present at the end of the gathering there were quips about where his first trip as president would be to, whether Spain or Brazil ? because of the good relations he maintains with both countries.
MercoPress questioned him as to when he will visit the Falkland Islands to which he responded "hopefully we will be going in June when Aerolineas Argentinas begins flying there." Asked about the Islanders adamant rejection of flights by Aerolineas Argentinas Menem said "we will continue to negotiate, Mata (the president of the airline) has promised them to me."
During the press conference Menem who firmly believes in the so called convertibility which pegged the Argentine peso to the United States dollar, referring to last year's devaluation said "that was a worse mistake than the Malvinas" referring to the 1982 conflict, which he has always been against.
Presidential elections will be held on April 27th and at the moment there are few opinion polls willing to risk the name of who they think will be the next Argentine president as the percentage difference between the candidates is so small.
Heather M. Briley - Buenos Aires
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!