MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner hails Argentina's independence from IMF

President Nestor Kirchner said Sunday during Independence Day celebrations that Argentina “was much more independent” since having cancelled al debts with the International Monetary Fund, IMF.

"We said to the IMF bye, bye; that is why this 9th of July we are much more independent", emphasized Kirchner in Tucuman recalling the 190th anniversary of Argentina's liberation from colonial rule.

At the beginning of the year Argentina paid IMF 9.574 billion US dollars cancelling all pending debts. "We're never going to give up or negotiate the interests of the Argentine people", stressed Kirchner surrounded by cabinet members, who also attacked the press.

"Some of the media are more interested in looking after their interests than in cherishing such a valuable day as this national occasion. No matter how many obstacles I will continue to advance with the Argentine flag and the Argentine people".

Kirchner added that for too long the leadership of the country had been afraid of "certain characters who believe they are the masters of Argentines' will. The only owners are ballots and the people's decision".

The president also took time to call for support for his government and the project for a new Argentina, "with justice and social equality" and "I call upon you because it's the way we can consolidate new times".

Two days earlier during the annual gathering with the Armed Forces command, President Kirchner promised to continue building a "new defense policy" which will recover the services from "regrettable and despicable orientations" of the past.

"It's not fair for the historic memory of the Armed Forces, or looking into the future, to try to identify the deviated actions of a few with the institution which they promised to serve in another way".

The Argentine leader who has made respect for human rights the heart of his policies recently ordered the removal and pensioning of several officers who tried to assert actions during the 1976/83 military regime.

The new Defence bill supposedly will include reforms to the education system of officers and petty officers, which will be decided by civilians and not the "top brass" of the Armed Forces.

"The military institutions will be respected as long as they actively participate in the republican, democratic system of government", warned President Kirchner.