MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina and Britain, “friendly nations”.

Lord Gareth Williams, Prime Minister Tony Blair's special envoy to President Nestor Kirchner assumption ceremony on May 25 said that Argentina and Britain are “friendly nations, each recognizing the other's position” who have been working and cooperating for several years in all those areas “that we could advance. I hope this will continue”.

In an interview published in last Sunday's edition of Buenos Aires daily La Nación, the president of the House of Lords said that during his short stay in Argentina, a country which he very much loves and admires, he perceived an atmosphere of "cautious optimism" highlighting the fact that the handing of power was "non violent".

As to the Falklands, as in previous reports, Lord Gareth stressed that Britain and Argentina "are friendly nations, each side recognizing the other's position".

When asked about a possible visit of President Kirchner to Britain, Lord Gareth indicated to La Nación that the Argentine president has a whole range of very serious issues to address, and "when the time comes, as president of a friendly country, we'll give him the welcome he deserves".

The president of the House of Lords also recalled that Britain is a staunch supporter of Argentina's demand for a greater liberalization of the European Union agricultural policies. "This was stated personally by Mr. Blair when he visited Argentina".

However Lord Gareth made it a point to underscore that there's no modern civilized society that can function, "without a completely independent judiciary branch".

Magistrates must not be nominated according to political criteria but on qualifications based on the knowledge of Law, character to be able to act effectively and efficiently, and absolute integrity.

"In Britain we still don't have a Judiciary structure completely independent from government, but we're interested in the Canadian system where a judiciary committee of magistrates and citizens nominates and trains judges. When a complaint is filed against a Judge, this independent committee must have competence to address the issue", said Lord Gareth.

In the interview Lord Gareth who's responsible for reforming the Upper House, ("700 members compared to 72 Senators in Argentina") revealed that a strict code of conduct emphasizing transparency was recently approved demanding every Lord to deliver a written statement with sources of income, shares, land and property. The statement that is extensive to his family and close friends is aired in internet and accessible to common citizens.

"It was a tight vote, actually we managed a three votes majority with the promise of a review in 18 months time (at the end of 2003)", underlined Lord Gareth Williams.