MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner mixes Malvinas homage with politics

“The Malvinas Islands are Argentine, here and in the rest of the world”, said president Nestor Kirchner on Friday during the inauguration of an impressive monument to the Argentine Malvinas combatants in the heart of the Patagonian city of Neuquen.

"We must again feel that the Malvinas are Argentine", insisted President Kirchner adding that his government is not tightening its position, "we are continuing to defend this motherland cause, we're not giving up, we're not bending".

"I feel proud of the Malvinas cause and its combatants, and the fallen and their families have my eternal respect", he underlined.

The monument built on an open space of 15.000 square meters, once Neuquen city main bus terminal has a great crystal mural with the names of all those Argentine combatants killed in the 1982 South Atlantic conflict.

The event however mixed the Falkland Islands issue with regional politics since the monument was inaugurated in a province ruled opposition Governor Jorge Sobisch who already has announced he's running for the presidential office in 2007.

Two other opposition governors were also present at the inauguration but although formally Radicales, have aligned with President Kirchner's political project. One of them Julio Cobos from Mendoza is also tipped as a strong candidate for the Kirchner ticket next year.

Furthermore the mayor of Neuquen City Horacio Quiroga, is also looking for Kirchner's support in his bid to become governor of Neuquen province in 2007.

But President Kirchner in his main speech praising Malvinas combatants also tried to keep public distance from the split in the opposition.

"It's time we understand that electoral fights have their appropriate time", which must be respected. "Difference must be left aside; we must look to raise the motherland spirit", he highlighted.