MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands vessels called “64 times” in Montevideo

Twenty four Falkland Islands' flagged vessels called in Montevideo 64 times for supplies and maintenance between January 2005 and February 2006, according to a long report published in the Sunday edition of Buenos Aires newspaper “Perfil”.

The report highlights that among the many vessels visiting Montevideo was the trawler "John Cheek" currently retained, since last Monday, in Comodoro Rivadavia for allegedly fishing in Argentina's EEZ.

John Cheek last called in Montevideo January 24 when she left for the South Atlantic.

The "Perfil" publication suggests the Uruguayan attitude could be "infringing" in Argentina's claims over the Falkland Islands.

Meantime from Comodoro Rivadavia John Cheek's captain Jaime Cortizo speaking to the media from Galicia insisted the vessel was operating in "international waters" when boarded by the Argentine Coast Guard.

Captain Cortizo and the crew are being questioned by Argentine authorities about the incident, complying with the ongoing investigation that is to be addressed to the Fisheries Department.

"Most probably early this week we will have finished the investigation and delivered the findings to the Coast Guard which will then send it to the Fisheries Department for the final evaluation of the case", said Emilio Coutinho head of the Comodoro Rivadavia Coast Guard station.

Coutinho pointed out that captain Cortizo's statement "does not offer many conclusions".

However he underlined that captain Cortizo was questioned for an alleged "administrative breach", so he has the constitutional right "not to reply what might be self incriminating".