MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

First repercussions of Mrs Kirchner cancelled visit to China

Vice-president Cobos, again the “bad guy” in Kirchner’s stage

Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's postponement of her trip to China is still causing repercussions. Argentine ambassador to China, César Mayoral, tried to minimize her absence, although he regretted that “domestic affairs seem to be given more importance than foreign affairs.”

“Let's not overreact. Chinese President Hu Jintao was not stood up by the President. She can't come because she is dealing with an institutional problem. The Chinese government has no opinion and understands the situation,” Mayoral expressed.

However, the ambassador questioned giving priority to domestic affairs over diplomatic relations. “Unfortunately they are given more importance than foreign affairs,” he regretted.

President Fernández de Kirchner had planned to meet with the Chinese president on the first days of February. Her 10-day trip was suspended to avoid Vice President Julio Cobos from staying in charge of the Executive branch while she was away.

Argentina’s president and vice-president have distanced and virtually have no dialogue, particularly since Cobos cast the decisive vote on a bill eliminating a tax increase in grains and oilseed exports which turned into a major defeat for the Kirchner couple.

The diplomatic mission will be led by Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana.

Mrs. Kirchner’s surprising decision almost caused the failure of a bilateral accord worth 3 billion US dollars, a sum representing almost half of the Bicentennial Fund, whose pending approval has caused a deep institutional crisis.