MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Garré claims Malvinas sovereignty during ceremony at South African vessel

SAS Drakensberg docked in Buenos Aires

Argentina claimed sovereignty over the Malvinas and South Atlantic Islands and criticized UK’s unilateral actions in fisheries and hydrocarbons during the signing on Saturday of a defence cooperation and development agreement with South Africa.

“Argentina currently suffers the usurpation by the UK in the South Atlantic of part of its territory. This includes Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and adjoining maritime spaces and has been aggravated by British unilateral actions referred to fishing licensing, hydrocarbons exploration and even military exercises”, Minister Nilda Garré said during the meeting her South African counterpart, Lindiwe Sisulu.

“As established in our constitution, we expect to recover those Islands following International Law”, added Ms Garré.

South African Minister of Defence and Military Lindiwe Sisulu visited Buenos Aires with a delegation from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The agreement was signed on board South African Navy SAS Drakensberg docked in Buenos Aires, which together with submarine Charlotte Maxeke were in Argentina participation in joint naval exercises.

“I’m really proud that two women Defence ministers are signing this first military cooperation agreement between two nations enjoying full rule of the law and democracy”, said Garré

The Argentine minister emphasized Ms Sisulu background as a strong militant in South Africa’s struggle against “apartheid” for which she was jailed for three years and tortured. She has also been a Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Interior and head of Intelligence Affairs.

Garré praised the visitor. “Ms Sislu personal history in her fight against discrimination and for the full exercise of human rights and democracy in South Africa is an example of determination and commitment”.

“We Argentines still remember when the notorious top leaders of the military dictatorship enjoyed safaris in Africa with their apartheid cronies and hosts” said Garré adding that both nations were an example for the world in the recovery of democracy and transitions signalled by long processes “in search of the truth and justice for the irreparable crimes against humanity”.

Ms Sisilu pointed out to the fact that it was two women who were signing the agreement indicating that “we both have something which very typical of our gender, common sense”.