MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pension increase for Malvinas veterans.

The Argentine government decided this week to increase Malvinas war veterans' pension from the equivalent of 133 to 309 US dollars.

A further package of measures includes additional family allowance and retirement benefits for living veterans plus recognizing parents' right to collect their deceased children pensions.

The decision follows months of active claiming by Malvinas veterans some of whom camped in tents across Government House (Casa Rosada) in Buenos Aires city main square, Plaza de Mayo.

However before acting the President Nestor Kirchner administration assessed data collected during a census of Malvinas war veterans which was launched last August and will extend until the end of October with the purpose of finding an "integral solution" for the former combatants' plight.

"Malvinas is a national cause it's a cause that belongs to all Argentines, a national State cause, of the Motherland. It's a flag we will never claudicate or give up, and which we will defend in all forums where we must defend her", said President Kirchner in Government House during the announcement ceremony.

Following the act President Kirchner unexpectedly walked up to the veterans that had been listening from the street who greeted him shouting, "Argentina, Argentina".

The Malvinas war began April 2, 1982 when Argentine marines landed close to Stanley and ended June 14 following the surrender of the Argentine Malvinas commander to British troops.

According to the latest data available to the Argentine government, although 14,000 troops were involved in the South Atlantic conflict, currently there are 25,528 Malvinas pension beneficiaries.