MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
UK apologizes to Argentina over Falkland Island incident
HE Gov Huckle offered forensic and DNA test of remains A bone believed to belong to an Argentine airman killed in 1982 and discovered in 1986 has been found to have been retained at the Police Station in Stanley, Falkland Islands without the Argentine Authorities being informed.
His Excellency the Governor Alan Huckle announced today in a press release to Falklands Media and Mercopressthat the Minister for the Overseas Territories in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Meg Munn MP, has drawn the situation to the attention of the Argentine Government. The Governor said, "We are consulting the Argentine Government on next steps. We have indicated that we would be willing to assist in any way possible, including with forensic and DNA testing. "We have transferred the bone in a coffin to the care and custody of the British military authorities at the Mount Pleasant Complex. "There was a brief service there on May 8. We have indicated to the Argentine authorities that we would be prepared to arrange a burial at the Argentine cemetery near Darwin with full military honors or have it repatriated if so requested. "I have instructed the Chief of Police, Supt Paul Elliott, to carry out a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the bone in 1986 and why the Argentine authorities were not informed at the time. "Both the British Government and the Falkland Islands Government have offered their unreserved apologies to the Government of Argentina". According argentine press Minister Taiana sent a letter to the FO requesting the remais back to Argentina for a DNA test. By Lisa Johnston - SeAled PR - Stanley
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