MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' war book: Chile discards rift with Argentina

Chilean Defence Secretary Jaime Ravinet discarded this Monday that the coming revelation of an alleged Chilean interest in attacking Argentina following the 1982 Falklands' conflict, according to a British historian, could cause a rift between Buenos Aires and Santiago.

The book to be launched this week, "The official history of the Falklands' campaign" written by war historian Lawrence Freedman, who had access to classified documents and took him eight years, already has triggered controversy on all sides involved.

Last week the Argentine press revealed that Chilean president Ricardo Lagos contacted Argentine president Nestor Kirchner to advance contents of the book, such as the General Augusto Pinochet administration involvement providing significant information on Argentine military movements to London.

Mr. Ravinet said the exchange between both government houses had the purpose of anticipating controversial events, but underlined that bilateral relations were excellent and there should be no surprises or ill feelings.

"I expect there won't be problems because the book is about events twenty years ago, when circumstances were totally different. Today Chile has a very close cooperation link in virtually all fields with Argentina. Chile supports Argentina's claims over the Malvinas Islands, so we're talking about different scenarios", insisted Mr. Ravinet.

Regarding the Pinochet regime alleged intention of attacking Argentina following the Falklands conflict in 1092, Mr. Ravinet said he couldn't make comments on a book he hasn't read, but "as far as I know, it didn't happen in that context".

Finally Mr. Ravinet said that both Defence ministries were able to read the specific chapters of the book, and agreed there were no reasons for a rift. Actually it was British Prime Minister Tony Blair who sent the proofs of the book's chapters on Chilean involvement to President Lagos.