MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Appeal to the Argentine Armed Forces

Addressing the top brass of the Armed Forces on Monday night Argentine president Nestor Kirchner told officers from the three services that “we can't take charge of the painful moments of our fatherland without contributing to the truth”, and further on emphasized that the re-encounter of Argentines “must not come from silence and complicity”.

"Each must take charge for what he did, without shielding behind the historic prestige of the (Armed Forces) institution", said Mr. Kirchner adding that "combating impunity is a way to enhance institutional quality".

The traditional annual dinner of the Argentine Armed Forces with the president acting in his role of Commander in Chief of the three services has been, given Argentina's recent history, an event of political significance.

On this occasion president Kirchner's carefully worded speech seems to confirm the current administration's intention of revoking a decree that impedes the extradition overseas of Argentine military officers allegedly involved in crimes related to human rights violations. The Argentine Supreme Court has also expressed its willingness to review pardon laws that have exempted officers from similar claims in Argentine territory, all of which has caused concern in the military.

However President Kirchner also appealed to the Armed Forces to participate in helping build a new nation stressing that "national defence policy is inseparable from foreign policy" and "our Armed Forces must guarantee our sovereignty with solvency".

Mr. Kirchner also invited the Armed Forces to re-forge the "Malvinas spirit", but pointed out that "diplomacy" must be the way to recover sovereignty over the Islands.

The Argentine president ratified the country's participation in peace keeping missions but under strict United Nations mandate and with no internal affairs interference. Following on this, strengthening integration and cooperation links with other regional and Mercosur Armed Forces must be another objective.

As to the definition of a modern national defence policy, Mr. Kirchner spelt it as a joint effort and participation, "that does not isolate us in any ultra-montane nationalism".

Mr. Kirchner participated in the event with almost the whole of his ministerial cabinet.

On taking office May 25 President Kirchner named junior officers in commanding posts forcing over fifty senior officers into retirement. He has also been critical of legislation that protects officers allegedly involved in human rights violations when Argentina was under military rule.