MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Councillors “don't anticipate a visit” from Argentine President.

Elected Falkland Islands Councillor Mike Summers bluntly disassociated himself from the remarks made by ”the recently visiting gentleman from the Foreign Office about the possible visit (to the Falklands) from the President of Argentina“ for the unveiling ceremony of an Argentine Memorial to be built in Darwin. Nevertheless Mr. Summers said he hoped ”the monument is built relatively soon and I hope this is a successful project”.

In his adjournment speech to the Legislative Council last Friday August 29th, Mr. Summers stressed that "I don't anticipate a visit from the President of Argentina. The approach of the current Argentine government towards the Falkland Islands is not entirely satisfactory in that it seems to be their intention to disregard us as a government".

Councillor Summers was referring to remarks from Paul Davies, head of the FCO South Atlantic Section Overseas Territories Department who in a recent familiarization visit to Falklands said that "if President Kirchner wants to visit, (Falklands), it would be an astonishing display for putting things behind him", suggesting that Councillors should, "?think in terms of saying yes", since it could help "move on" the relationship with Argentina. However Mr. Davies also underlined that "I think there are rather a few hurdles to overcome before we go down that route".

In mid August President Nestor Kirchner told Argentine press after a meeting with 1982 Falklands/Malvinas war veterans that the Argentine government would grant financial support and he, "...looked forward to attending the unveiling ceremony," of the Argentine Memorial at Darwin when it is completed. Argentine, British and Falklands' officials are currently discussing plans, costs and the logistics for the building of the Argentine Memorial in Darwin.

Councillor Summers emphasized to the Legislative Council that "I understand that he (Mr. Davies) was making personal comment and, I equally understand that he may have been either misquoted or partially quoted in the newspapers. But you don't see reports like that without there being some kind of substance in terms of what the Gentleman said".

When asked by the Islands weekly Penguin News, the FCO South Atlantic Section official indicated that a President Kirchner visit to Falklands would be beneficial since "they are your nearest and biggest neighbour, and neighbours usually get on well. Neighbours usually work together to do things for each other's good; anything that could be translated into making that work for the Falklands would be worthwhile exploring".

Councillor Summers further underlining dissatisfaction with the current approach of the Argentine government towards the Falklands indicated "that's fine as long as there is nothing to talk about, but actually there are some important issues to talk about, high seas fishing issues in particular. And, I hope that when we do come to discuss those and, indeed issues of the Continental shelf of the Falkland Islands, we will be fully represented in those discussions".

Finally Mr. Summers said the hoped the Memorial project is a success and that "whoever comes to open it will be a matter, I think, for careful handling and for us to determine. But I don't anticipate a visit from the President of Argentina".

Councillor Jan Cheek openly supported Mr. Summers' speech in the Legislative Council saying that it was actually an understatement "when he (Mr. Summers) said the approach of the Argentine government was somewhat unsatisfactory. However, it's something we are going to have to live with until they have a Government which is sufficiently mature to recognise us as neighbours, rather than potential prey".