MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Rammell warns about “excessive ambitions”

United Kingdom regrets that since last December charter flights to the Falkland Islands have been suspended and wishes to resume negotiations with Argentina said British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell this Monday in Buenos Aires.

However Mr. Rammell was quick to point out that any "negotiation" or bilateral agreement on the issue must have the consent of the Islanders.

On his first of two days official visit to Argentina Mr. Rammell talked with Foreign Affairs Policy Secretary Jorge Taiana and later gave a conference on "The role of the United Kingdom in today's world" before the Argentine Council for International Relations, CARI.

Mr. Rammell admitted the Falklands sovereignty dispute with Argentina is "a complicated issue" representing a "significant disagreement". However the British official who this Tuesday will be meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Bielsa, also emphasized that "we all know that excessive ambitions" can be "dangerous" and "wishing too much too soon" can impede all progress.

When asked about Buenos Aires decision not to authorize charter flights to the Falklands from Chile crossing Argentine air space until Britain accepts regular direct airlinks between the Islands and Argentina, Mr. Rammell said "we would have liked to see the resumption of those flights and we've tried but unfortunately it has not been so". However, any talks on the issue "must be agreed by the Islanders" and in the framework of the resumption of charter flights.

"I hope we can advance in the discussions which I will be holding this week with Argentine officials; air links with the Islands are of interest for the United Kingdom for Argentina and for the Islanders".

Further on Mr. Rammell underlined that no bilateral Falklands sovereignty talks will take place unless they are requested or accepted by Islanders, which "doesn't mean we can't work together in others areas".

As the United Kingdom has learnt from searching for peace in North Ireland, "ill-intended or careless stances can delay years of progress in delicate and nervous communities".

Regarding Britain's attitude towards Argentina's debt negotiations with multilateral creditors and private bondholders, Mr. Rammell said that the UK in no way "underestimates difficulties" and "advances" achieved by the country's economy.

"What Argentina most needs to regain the place she deserves, is the sustainability of the debt", added Mr. Rammell who this Tuesday is scheduled to meet Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna.

Finally the Foreign Office official indicated bilateral trade is and has been an important component of the overall UK-Argentina relation, and "we hope we can rebuild our exports to Argentina as the country's economy recovers from the 2001/2002 events".

Mr. Rammell reiterated British support for Argentina's position demanding liberalization of European agricultural trade and defined 2004 as "a critical year" for the free trade negotiations between Latin America and the European Union.