MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Magallanes “non official relations” with the Falkland Islands.

Punta Arenas main daily La Prensa Austral editorialized this weekend about Governor Howard Pearce's recent visit to the city when he highlighted the importance of Magallanes Region for Falkland Islands trade and its contribution to the quality of life of Islanders.

La Prensa Austral argues this should not be surprising since the Islands are in the area of influence of Magallanes Region, as so is Argentine Patagonia.

"Except for a few specific problems, it is recognized that relations between this territory and Magallanes are positive in spite of being conditioned by the sovereignty conflict over the Islands between Argentina and Great Britain".

This is so because "our country (Chile) maintains normal relations with both countries but supports our neighbors' pretensions over Malvinas sovereignty".

"This means, for example, says La Prensa Autral, that political relations between Magallanes and British authorities have a strict non official character".

But this does not mean that contacts between local and British authorities don't exist.

"In fact Mr. Pearce's visit to Punta Arenas originally considered a meeting with Magallanes mayor Jaime Jelincic but this did not take place because of the delay in the flight that brought the British governor to Magallanes".

Quoting a former Chilean advisor in international affairs to the regional government, Guillermo Zabala, La Prensa Austral says that for Chilean authorities' relations between Chile and the territory of Malvinas are guided by "caution".

This means that in spite of having relations with Argentina and Great Britain, the predominant idea is the support of Argentina in its claim while considering the British authority "as a consequence of an occupation".

Obviously this is not made explicit in such a direct manner since the rule in international relations is prudence, "--particularly in issues as sensitive as that of Malvinas which even led to an armed conflict--, and while the Argentine claim is respected, British sovereignty is accepted", concludes the editorial.