MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

G 24 president suggests “a better understanding” on Falklands/Malvinas

Ambassador Donathus Keith Saint Aimée, President Cristina Kirchner and Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman.

Argentina and Great Britain should understand each other regarding the disputed Falklands/Malvinas, suggested the president of the United Nations Decolonization Committee Ambassador Donathus Keith Saint Aimée, who arrived Thursday to Buenos Aires responding to an invitation extended last May by Argentine authorities.

However the visit coincides with the twice a year routine exercises by British forces stationed in the Falkland Islands and which the Argentine government and media have picked up as another “provocation” by the UK. Earlier in the week the Foreign Office in a short comment described the exercises as “routine” that have been going on for the last 28 years (since 1982, following the end of the Argentine/UK conflict).

“We must be careful about the consequences of such actions” said the Santa Lucia’s ambassador before the UN and head of G24. “I’m sure the British don’t perceive it as a provocation, but Argentina effectively perceives it as a provocation”.

“Maybe it is necessary to reach a consensus, to know what each of the two had in mind when they did what they did. What this whole action means” said Ambassador Saint Aimée after meeting with Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman.

“Both countries have always stated they are willing to negotiate (the disputed Islands). We must try and see how they can sit round a table and negotiate”, said the Santa Lucia ambassador who later in the day was received by President Cristina Kirchner at Government House.

Timerman in a short release said the meeting had been “a good opportunity” for Ambassador Saint Aimée to perceive first hand “the peaceful negotiation willingness of Argentina”.

“We want the ambassador to see what we Argentines feel about the Malvinas and the dialogue willingness of our country”, he added.

The G24 president is scheduled to visit the province of Tierra del Fuego extreme south of Argentina which according to the country’s legislation has jurisdiction over the disputed territories of Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.

Finally Timerman said that Argentina is waiting for a reply to the official protest note presented to London last Monday. “If there’s no formal reply in the coming days, Argentina will consider it as accepted”.

According to the protest note Argentina was never anticipated or warned about “missile firing exercises in the Malvinas”.