MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina/UK discuss Falklands' vessel arrest

The British government “understands” that the Falkland Islands' flagged fishing vessel arrested last Monday by the Argentine Coast Guard was fishing “in international waters” said on Wednesday a spokesman for the British embassy in Buenos Aires.

"The United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands strongly disapprove illegal fishing, so if the Argentine authorities prove an anomaly, then they must proceed as indicated", added the spokesman who revealed that the Embassy is in contact with the Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry, but details "are confidential".

Sources from the Argentine Foreign Affairs ministry said they were waiting for the administrative report from the Coast Guard before proceeding.

The Falklands' fishing vessel "John Cheek" is currently retained in Comodoro Rivadavia waiting to comply with procedural formalities following the arrest, particularly.

In the Falkland Islands, Foreign Office representative and acting Governor Harriet Hall said 'We take this very seriously indeed. The ambassador in Buenos Aires has been discussing this with his colleagues both in the Foreign Office in London and he's also been speaking to the (Argentine) Foreign Ministry about it'.

Jan Cheek from Petrel Trawling Limited, owner of the "John Cheek" interviewed by Stanley's radio station FIRS said that "our position remains the same. We know we were fishing in international waters, and we continue to reiterate that at every opportunity".

As to the matter of a fine being imposed, Ms. Cheek added that "one would hope that there's some sort of trial and an assumption of innocence till some guilt is proven and we are confident that no guilt can be proven because we know where we were".

Regarding John Cheek's owners "definitive proof" of their innocence, Ms. Hall said that "we'll obviously discuss that proof with the Argentine authorities and hopefully we can resolve this incident".

In Comodoro Rivadavia the head of the local Coast Guard post admitted a delay in the beginning of the investigation, because of bureaucratic reasons.

"All is going on normally, however since one of the persons who must conduct the inspection of the vessel was away and couldn't come on time, we decided to begin the interrogation tomorrow Thursday", said Commodore Eduardo Coutinho.

So far the situation of the "John Cheek" is considered a "breach of regulations" which according to the Argentine Fisheries law could mean a fine ranging from the equivalent of 33.333 to 333.333 US dollars plus the total or partial forfeit of the one hundred tons of squid and hake in the "John Cheek".

Another delicate issue which will naturally follow once the administrative investigation is concluded is the fact that "John Cheek" flies a flag "not recognized" by the Argentine government.

Based on the investigation or the flag issue a diplomatic presentation from Argentine authorities to the British government could be forthcoming.