MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Families Commission grateful to Islanders

A letter addressed to Falkland Islands Governor Howard Pearce arrived last Wednesday in BBC “Japan” the vessel that carried the blocks of the Argentine Memorial to be assembled in the Argentine Cemetery in Darwin.

The letter on behalf of the Families Commission was signed by Leandro de la Colina Treasurer, Delmira de Cao Secretary and Hector Cisneros President, and was made public by Governor Pearce.

The text follows:

"On behalf of the Families Commission we would like to thank you for your cooperation which has enabled us to achieve a long held wish to honour our loved ones. We would also, through yourself wish to extend those thanks to the inhabitants of the Islands, who have understood and respected our feelings and assisted in the achievement of our tribute.

The construction of the Memorial to the memory of the Argentine soldiers who fell in the armed conflict of 1982 was conceived on strictly humanitarian grounds, and represents an extremely important step towards the human rapprochement of our respective peoples, such as was laid down by both governments in the Joint Statement of 14 July 1999.

We are absolutely certain that the final stage of construction will go ahead without major difficulties, given the positive and respectful attitude which we have always perceived amongst the Islands' population in respect of the Argentine next of kin, both during their visits to the Darwin Cemetery and throughout this undertaking - one which was developed and will be completed as an initiative by of those who suffered the most terrible loss which a human being can face, that is to say the death of a loved one".

Leandro de la Colina Treasurer Delmira de Cao Secretary Hector Cisneros President