MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands top of OAS Tuesday agenda

Argentina's claim over Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty will be top of the agenda when Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Bielsa addresses the Organization of American Status, OAS General Assembly this Tuesday in Ecuador.

Although it's Argentine official state policy to insist with the Falklands' sovereignty claim in all possible international forums, this is a special occasion since OAS will be electing a new Secretary General.

The draft declaration which has the support of Uruguay and Paraguay calls on the governments of Argentina and United Kingdom to resume negotiations, "to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute".

It also points out the "excellent state of bilateral relations", between Argentina and UK, and OAS satisfaction with the continuous consolidation of political, commercial and cultural links.

However the draft also points out the need to continue exploring all possible ways to reach a peaceful solution to the controversy and reiterates OAS commitment to continue considering the issue in the successive General Assembly sessions, "until its definitive solution".

The three days OAS General Assembly will be naming former Costa Rican president Miguel Angel Rodríguez as OAS new Secretary General. He replaces former Colombian president César Gaviria.