MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguayan First Lady described Vazquez ‘war hypotheses as absurd and a kids’ anecdote

Senator Topolansky comments can be interpreted as coming directly from President Mujica

Uruguay’s First Lady Lucia Topolansky described statements from former president Tabare Vazquez referred to a possible ‘war hypotheses’ with Argentina over the paper mill conflict as ‘absurd’ and recommended those words shouldn’t be considered more than a simple kids’ anecdote.

Topolonsky explained that Vázquez’ statements surprised her, adding that she hoped they didn’t have any “diplomatic repercussions.”

“I hope this doesn’t complicate our relationship with Argentina. I hope the signals that our government has given the Argentine government are strong enough,” she stated.

Topolansky, who is also the most voted senator in the country, said that “the way to solve the conflict with Argentina was doing what President Mujica did, which is opening up the bridges and talking”.

The First Lady is also considered the closest political advisor of President Mujica who is currently in a ten-day European tour. Thus Senator Topolansky’s remarks can only be taken as President Mujica’s stance on the delicate issue of relations with Argentina that have absorbed much of his time and effort since taking office March 2010.

Mujica and Vazquez have met recently to patch up differences since the former leader has plans to run again in 2014, which does not necessarily coincide with the current Uruguayan president plans since he also has a couple of ‘hopefuls’ he is sponsoring.

Vice-President Danilo Astori refused to comment on the former president’s statements, as he urged citizens to “keep walking down the path created by Mujica.”

Former president Vázquez revealed on Tuesday that when he was in office he considered the possibility of an armed conflict with Argentina over a bilateral conflict sparked by the location of a paper mill on the Uruguay River and which was followed by pickets blocking international bridges.

He even said he requested help from the US government.

Vázquez also said he held former Argentine president Néstor Kirchner responsible for escalating the conflict when he stated that the paper mill conflict “was a national cause” and hugged the protesters while Argentina and Uruguay were trying to find a solution to the stand off in Chile.