MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: UK's “continuing regret” over loss of life on both sides

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett

On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, April 2, the United Kingdom expressed “continuing regret” over the loss of life on both sides of the South Atlantic conflict.

In an official Sunday release Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett states that "the commemorative events of this year, planned in the UK and on the Islands, will be a fitting and respectful tribute to all those who fought in the 1982 conflict". Ms Beckett also insists that the "UK remains keen to foster a constructive relationship with Argentina, and to promote practical cooperation both in the South Atlantic and on broader issues of international co-operation" The statement recalls that the "UK offered to host a joint commemorative event in London in the first part of 2007 in the spirit of reconciliation, and with a genuine desire to recognise the loss of life on both sides". 'We have now, with the agreement of the Falkland Islands Government, offered members of families of the Argentine armed forces who fell in 1982 the opportunity to travel to the Islands towards the end of 2007 to hold a private commemorative event at the Argentine cemetery in Darwin. Finally the statement congratulates the Islanders on the achievements of the past 25 years and emphasizes that "the principles of freedom, democracy and self determination remain as important to us today as they did in 1982". "The Falkland Islands today are dynamic and forward-looking. The Islanders have actively pursued efforts to diversify the economy, including through the development of the fishing industry and tourism, and to safeguard the rich and varied environment of the Islands. I congratulate them on the achievements of the past 25 years, and wish them every success for the future". The South Atlantic conflict ended 74 days later June 14th, Liberation Day in the Falkland Islands, with the defeat and ousting of the Argentine forces by a British Task Force sent to the Islands a few days after April 2. Almost a thousand lives were lost including 255 Britons and 655 Argentines. The defeat forced the downfall of the Argentine military Junta that ruled ruthlessly since 1976 and on December 10, Human Rights Day, the following year a democratically elected president took office in Buenos Aires. However the conflict is remembered by Argentines as "an absurd war" but over a "noble cause" because Argentina claims the South Atlantic Islands, inherited from the Spanish colonial empire, were usurped by Britain in 1833. British Primer Minister Tony Blair in a recent interview praised then PM Margaret Thatcher saying that going to war over the Falklands took "political courage" and was "the right thing to do" adding the principle of international law was at stake.