MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

President Kirchner's governement severly criticised in the Legislature.

Falklands Councillors, speaking at the final session of the present Legislature before it is dissolved, strongly condemned the hard-line and agressive attitude towards the Islands, adopted by President Kirchner and the present Argentine Government.
 

Councillor Mike Summers reiterated his previous statement that the relationship between the Argentine and Falklands Governments and the Argentine and British Governments, 'had deteriorated over the last four years.'  He said that although the Argentine Government had over the last two or three years, 'tried to hurt the economy of the Falklands, it had failed to do so. That for us is a good sign because it means that we are in good health from an economic point of view, from a political point of view with the help of Her Majesty's Government, and I remain confident that the Argentine Government and its petty antics cannot hurt the Falklands'.

  The main obstruction by the present Argentine Government has been the banning of passenger exchange flights from Santiago direct to the Falklands, which fly across Patagonia enroute. Attempts to devalue the Falklands off-shore fishing regime have also been made. Â 

  The Islands Legislature will be dissolved on 10 October and a General Election held in November.  

Councillor Summers advised Buenos Aires to, 'look to their old Mother Country, Spain, and see how the relationship between the new Spainish Government and Gibraltar has developed now that the Spainish Government has finally realized, after decades of trying to blockade Gibraltar, that the best way forward is for both parties is to cooperate.'  

  Councillor Janet Cheek said that she had just a simple queation for the Argentine Government - 'When will Argentina or those who govern that Country, learn that a Country that has to resort to threats, harrassment and attempts at economic warfare, becomes less attratcive not more attractive to the people of the Falkland Islands?  We are absoluetly clear in our right to self-determination and it is reinforced by every year that passes by the way we are developing our Government, our economy and our people.'

  Councillor John Birmingham said that his hopes were that the present hard-line Argentine approach might change when their administration (Government) changes.

  'The threat from Argentina has not diminished over the past four years, in fact it has been the opposite,' maintained Councillor Stephen Luxton, who has declared that he will not stand for re-election in November.

  Patrick Watts - Mercopress -Falklands