MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Homage to Malvinas war Argentine dead in London on July 9

The Argentine Embassy in London announced it would hold a commemorative act for the Argentine Malvinas war casualties to which no British authorities have been invited.

According to the embassy's spokesperson Santiago Villalba next July 9, which is Independence Day in Argentina, a Catholic mass will be held at the Brompton Oratory in East London and a wreath laid at the statue of General San Martín in Belgrave Square. Ambassador Federico Mirré and Mrs. Mirré invite you to "the Mass in Commemoration of the Argentine that fell in the Malvinas war", reads the official invitation. Following the mass and the wreath ceremony a wine of honor will be served at the embassy. Latinamerican ambassadors in London and Argentine residents in Great Britain are expected at the event but no British authorities have been invited, confirmed Villalba. This year is the 25th anniversary of the 1982 South Atlantic conflict but Britain and Argentina could not agree on a joint commemoration. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falklands and accuses Britain of repeatedly ignoring calls for the resumption of negotiations on the issue. London argues that the Islanders have a right to self determination and there will be no sovereignty talks with Argentina until the Islanders say so. The President Nestor Kirchner administration also believes that London all along has been more interested in a 1982 "victory celebration" than in a commemoration.