MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Possible resumption of direct Argentina-Falklands flights talks.

A possible resumption of Argentine-British talks next December in London at Under Secretary level could eventually help reach an understanding regarding charter flights to the Falkland Islands, according to Argentine Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa.

However the Argentine position, in the "immediate term", remains unchanged, "that is we want a number, to discuss, of continent-Islands flights" by Argentine aircraft before any further non Argentine over flight en route to Malvinas/Falklands.

Speaking to the Argentine news agency DyN, Mr. Bielsa also emphasized that "we talk to Great Britain. We don't talk to Crown subjects who inhabit Argentine territory" in direct reference to the Islanders.

"Our position has been very reasonable: we want a number, to discuss, of continent-Islands flights", added Mr. Bielsa.

Charter flights to the Falklands from South America have been suspended since last November when Buenos Aires demanded in exchange direct commercial flights from Argentina, a possibility rejected by Islanders.

Mr. Bielsa also revealed details of some of the issues addressed during the recent meeting held in the United Nations with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

"In the meeting with Mr. Straw Argentina proposed the recreation of the flights negotiation table which could be in a coming meeting, that could take place next December, in London, at Under Secretary level, with the possible participation of Jorge Taiana who could then hold a meeting with his counterpart Bill Rammel", indicated the Argentine official.

Mr. Bielsa recalled that during the meeting last year in Buenos Aires with Mr. Rammel reaching an understanding "on those flights was very close".

"I told Mr. Straw that the spirit of that conversation had been very constructive and that Argentina reiterated it wanted "fair play" regarding the flights from the continent to the Islands".

"That is, no open skies policy, because if so the competition could come from an airline that takes off from London, and in that case we have no commercial chance, and that is not fair play", underlined Mr. Bielsa recalling the last British proposal accepting direct flights to the Islands but calling an international bid to select a company.

Argentina's objective is very clear, "we want commercial flights by any Argentine airline between the continent and the Islands and we're willing to listen to any ideas from Britain on the issue".

Further on Mr. Bielsa said that with "Mr. Rammel we very close to reaching a satisfactory agreement", and "I don't' see why we can't retake conversations from where we left them and continue negotiations".

Finally as to the meeting with Mr. Straw, "the atmosphere was "we'll keep on talking". This is so because it was British diplomacy that contacted our people, Under Secretary to Under Secretary, and they told them the meeting had been highly satisfactory".