MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands has “low expectations” with new Argentine president

Falkland Islands' elected Councilors have low expectations of the new Argentine president in terms of “concrete progress” on Islands' issues.

Commenting on the election to office of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Councillor Mike Summers said, "We know little of her foreign policy intentions but assume she will follow the same policies as her husband so we expect little concrete progress between the Falklands and Argentina in the future." He noted that she had said very little about the Falklands in the lead up to, and during the election, added that she did not appear, "â€Ã‚¦to have said very much about anything; it appears she was elected on personality only". Councillor Andrea Clausen had much the same view saying, "Really we are just expecting more of the same." However, she acknowledged that elected president Cristina Kirchner appeared, "â€Ã‚¦more concerned about the external face of Argentina as well as the internal," and speculated this might be an indication in terms of how she would deal with foreign affairs. Councillor Clausen said also that she was, "surprised that she (Kirchner) has not used the Falklands as a political football during the election," but commented that the Argentine government has had a lot to contend with in the light of recent corruption scandals. She said, "No, we are just expecting more of the same if not worse, but we are used to it and we're resilient so we will deal with it accordingly". Early Monday it was reported that the Foreign Office congratulated Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on her Sunday presidential election victory and said it was looking forward to work together in several issues of interest for Argentina and the United Kingdom. "We congratulate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on the results of the election for the presidency of Argentina", said Paul Franks, Foreign Office spokesperson in a message sent early Monday to the Argentine government. Franks added that Great Britain and Argentina have several issues that concern both governments and "we are looking forward to work together" to solve them. Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was elected by a comfortable 43.5% with a twenty points lead over the second most voted candidate. Although Argentina and Great Britain have normal trade and political relations, the stumbling block remains the dispute over the South Atlantic islands and surrounding maritime spaces sovereignty claims, mainly the Falkland Islands. Since President Kirchner took office four years ago Argentina has had a more militant and aggressive policy towards the Falklands unilaterally ending cooperation in fisheries and hydrocarbons plus banning additional charter flights to the Islands. By Lisa Johnston (SeAled PR) from Stanley and MP Montevideo