MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile ratifies full support to Argentine sovereignty claim.

The Chilean Foreign Affairs ministry ratified this Wednesday in a short statement its full support to Argentina's “legitimate sovereignty rights” in the dispute over the Islas Malvinas issue

"Given press reports on the issue", the Chilean Foreign Affairs ministry expects Argentina and the United Kingdom reach a quick solution to the sovereignty dispute over those territories, in accordance with United Nations and Organization of American States resolutions.

The release recalls that in the last United Nations Decolonization Committee session a resolution was approved presented by Chile recommending Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume sovereignty negotiations over the Islands.

At the time Chile underlined its conviction that "a peaceful and negotiated solution to the special situation of the Islas Malvinas was the only route that can be followed on the subject".

Similarly during the 34th OAS General Assembly last June a resolution was approved, sponsored by Chile, reiterating the need for the governments of Argentina and United Kingdom to begin as soon as possible negotiations regarding the sovereignty dispute.

The official release comes as a reply to criticisms from the Congressional opposition following the public disclosure, --and Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa strong discomfort--, that the Chilean Ambassador in Britain Mariano Fernández had been present at the annual reception of the Falklands government in Lincoln's Inn in London.

Chilean opposition Senator Sergio Romero described the episode as "imprudent" and is calling on Minister Soledad Alvear to explain before Congress the reasons for such a "blunder".

Deputy Alberto Cardemil cautioned that given the "the delicate international minute that Chile is facing in the region", there's no room or admittance for relaxation.

Actually Chile will be going to the polls next October to renew municipal officials and the event will be the last big test before presidential elections next year.

Two lady ministers, in Defence and Foreign Affairs are the leading candidates of the ruling coalition and are increasingly the target of opposition darts.

In effect, Santiago has faced unwanted diplomatic mishaps with neighboring Bolivia and Peru, a dispute with Argentina over natural gas supply which exposed Chile's energy vulnerability and dependency, and serious differences with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Cuba's Fidel Castro.

Besides the administration of Socialist President Ricardo Lagos, (an admirer of Prime Minister Tony Blair and his "third line"), in spite of the strong performance of the Chilean economy still faces problems derived from "wealth distribution" such as significant unemployment, poverty and exclusion.

Partly to offset this and recover "some Socialist essence" President Lagos administration is sponsoring a royalty Bill to be paid by the booming mining industry which the opposition so far has successfully stalled in Congress.