MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Presidential support for Malvinas Monument welcomed by next-of-kin and veterans
President Nestor Kirchner's decision in support of the construction of a monument in memory of the Argentine dead of the 1982 South Atlantic War at Darwin Cemetery in the Falklands Islands was warmly greeted here by both the Families Commission that groups the next-of-kin of servicemen killed during the conflict and veterans.
Families Commission treasurer, Leandro de la Colina, who attended the meeting with Kirchner on Tuesday, told MercoPress that the next-of-kin had been "well impressed" in their first meeting with the president. "We came away with distinct impression that for the first time in several years we were again talking to a President who was genuinely concerned over the future of this project and was willing to commit his full support to ensure that any existing obstacles could be rapidly overcome."
Consulted by MercoPress a group of veterans selling Malvinas memorabilia in a downtown Buenos Aires square said they were "delighted" to hear that President Kirchner was supporting the Darwin Monument project. "It is about time a President did less talking about recovering the islands and got down to achieving some practical results," said Carlos Echague a former Army conscript who saw action on Mount Longdon.
In turn his colleague Evaristo Gomez, who's scarred face is a permanent reminder of the war, added, "our dead colleagues deserve this recognition and even though I did not vote for this President, I am extremely grateful for his support".
The veterans expressed some concern over the cost of building the monument suggesting that the construction costs were extremely high. Gomez, an unemployed construction worker by trade, explained "It is hard to understand why a Monument that would cost one price if built by an Argentine company could end up costing almost three times more if built by a local construction firm".
"Notwithstanding these artificially inflated prices, which amount to a special tax which we are being asked to pay by the Islanders, I feel that we must still go ahead with this project" adding that "hopefully Kirchner will tackle all the outstanding issues which still affect both veterans and next-of-kin 21 years after the war," Gomez concluded.
De la Colina explained that Kirchner had made it clear that while the government would actively support the construction of the Monument by contributing towards the funding and solving any bureaucratic obstacles that night yet arise, the project was still in the hands of Families Commission.
"The President has decided that this project must go ahead as soon as possible and has publicly stated the government's position on this matter, for which we are extremely pleased."
Asked about the time schedule De la Colina said that as a result of this support the project "can be rapidly jump-started and hopefully, we should be able to move ahead with the construction in the summer months ahead."
In announcing his decision to support this project Kirchner said that he "looked forward to attending the unveiling ceremony".
Nicholas Tozer (MP) Buenos Aires
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