MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' connection in Argentine-Chilean incident.

Incoming Chilean Foreign Secretary Ignacio Walker who caused another serious diplomatic confrontation in the bilateral relation with Argentina when it was revealed that last May he wrote a column describing the Peronist party as “authoritarian and fascist like” and Mr. Kirchner as a “populist” was not actually the first choice for the job.

In effect, the powerful Chilean Minister of Interior Miguel Insulza revealed to Argentine officials that President Ricardo Lagos first candidate had been the current ambassador in London Mariano Fernández.

However since Ambassador Fernández had committed a diplomatic "gaffe" highly irritating for Argentine sensitivity by participating in the annual celebration of the Falkland Islands government at Lincoln's Inn last June, he was rapidly discarded.

"They didn't want to cause Argentine annoyance, but they forgot about the opinion column written by Walker in El Mercurio", admitted Mr. Insulza.

Last June 17 during the 30th Falklands Government annual reception representative Sukey Cameron accused the current Argentine government of "blatant and unprincipled intimidation" and warned that "bullying and blackmail" are counter productive making the Islanders' more determined than ever to assert their self determination.

Princeton educated political scientist Mr. Walker in his column "Our Argentine neighbours" not only had harsh words for the Peronist party but described Mr. Kirchner as having become president with 22% of the vote and is therefore obsessed with looking after his only political capital, "his popularity" which is reflected in a 60% public opinion rating.

This Sunday, Buenos Aires main newspapers reported that President Kirchner had cancelled an official visit to Chile scheduled for the end of the month. However the Chilean government had received no official confirmation of the news Sunday evening.

"Let's leave the trip to Chile in stand-by", writes La Nación quoting a conversation between President Kirchner and Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa. - "Rafa, I'm not mad. That's not the problem. But dealing with someone who thinks that way, it's going to be very difficult to work".

Apparently early in the week President Kirchner when informed about Mr. Walker's article described it as "distilling Argentinofobia".

"Mr. Walker's apologies have not been assessed; we haven't accepted them or rejected them; there's nothing else to add", said an Argentine diplomatic sources, who completely dismissed that Argentina was after Mr. Walker's resignation.