MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina's response over “Irizar” incident “not entirely satisfactory”, says Falklands Governor.

The Falkland Islands Governor, Mr. Howard Pearce has indicated that the Argentine Government's official version of the 'Almirante Irizar' incident, does not satisfy either the British or Falklands Governments, and it is likely that a more detailed explanation will be sought from Buenos Aires.

The British Government protested to the Argentine Government in Buenos Aires, and requested an official response to the incident which occurred in early March, when the Argentine Navy ice-breaker, while passing through the Falklands 200 miles Economic Zone, asked that fishing vessels, licenced by the Falkland Islands Government, identify themselves.

It is reported that the Argentine Ambassador in London has insisted that the vessel was making a legitimate journey through Argentina's exclusive economic zone carrying out safety and conservation tasks.

This official response from the Argentine Government has now been considered and speaking on the Falklands Islands Broadcasting Station on Monday, Governor Howard Pearce said, 'The response doesn't really add very much to what the Argentine Government have said in the past - so in that sense it is not entirely satisfactory. We will be considering what the next steps, if any, should be taken, over the next few days with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. I will be keeping Councillors fully in touch through discussions and decisions on what action to take in this Government to Government dialogue, for the Government in London to take. They will want to keep Councillors fully informed and I will be doing that during the course of this week as discussions proceed'.

Several Falklands Councillors have said that confidence in the present Argentine Government, under President Kirchner, is now at its lowest point since the events of 1982. The British Ambassador in Buenos Aires, Sir Robin Christopher, recently told a leading Argentine newspaper that in order for any links to be established in the future between the Islands and Buenos Aires, confidence building measures would need to be undertaken.

Bill Brown - MercoPress - Falkland Islands.