MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina rejects as ‘improper’ Israel’s objection of an agreement with Iran

Foreign minister Timerman met with representatives from Jewish organizations in Buenos Aires

The Argentine government rejected Israel’s decision to summon the Argentine ambassador in Tel Aviv to discuss recent agreement between Argentina and Iran, saying it considered it an “improper” move that goes “against the traditional, friendly relationship” between both nations.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the Foreign Ministry reminded Israel that “no Israeli citizen was involved” in the 1994 AMIA bombing, adding that “Argentina has never summoned an Israeli ambassador in order to demand explanations for their government’s actions”.

“The Argentine Foreign Ministry expresses that the summoning of the ambassador as a result of the Argentine Republic’s sovereign decisions is an improper act and is strongly rejected, and goes against the traditional, friendly relationship between both nations,” the ministry indicated.

Earlier in the day Foreign minister Hector Timerman said that the agreement with Iran to create a ‘truth commission’ does not ignore the Argentine justice system’s investigation. Timerman made the statement after meeting with officials from the AMIA and DAIA Jewish organizations and relatives of the 1994 bombing victims.

“The trial continues in Argentina with an Argentine judge and an Argentine prosecutor. We will not drop the case” he told the press.

In July 1994 a bomb attack on the AMIA Jewish organization headquarters completely destroyed the several stories building killing 85 and injuring hundreds. Investigations have led to an Iranian and Hezbollah connection with local accomplices.

Timerman assured that the existing red alerts issued by Interpol on eight Iranians suspected of being involved in the AMIA attack will not be lifted, and added that several high-profile members of the Jewish community provided him with a list of names that they believed could be a part of the commission as well.

“They believed that the creation of a commission was not legal, but I explained to them that this bears no relation to the case being investigated by the Argentine justice system. It will guarantee, however, that the procedure is conducted in accordance to the cooperation parameters of the suspects with the judiciary,” Timerman said.

Speaking from the rebuilt AMIA building Timerman said “we are all leaving with the satisfaction of seeking justice. This is one more step towards memory, truth and justice.”

He later rejected accusations that the Government was surrendering its sovereignty. “We are acting in accordance to the Supreme Court,” he expressed.

On Tuesday Israel foreign ministry had communicated its “profound deception” to the Ambassador to Argentina Carlos García, over the agreement between Israel and Iran in the investigation over the1994 AMIA bombing.

“Israel’s discontent and deception over the decision has been communicated,” a diplomat told reporters after leaving a meeting which took place at the Israeli foreign ministry in Jerusalem on Tuesday.

Israel announced Monday that García would be chosen to give explanations over an agreement that according to the ministry source “contributed to breaking Iran’s international isolation.” Another consulted source labelled the conversation with the Argentine diplomat as “serious.”

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner announced on Sunday that an agreement had been reached with Iran to establish an independent international “truth commission” in the investigation of the 1994 AMIA terrorist attack that killed 85 people in Buenos Aires.

The agreement between Argentina and Iran was signed on Sunday during the African Union summit, in Adia Abeba.

Once the agreement goes through both countries’ parliamentary systems, a commission of jurors will be created, who will oversee court procedures regarding the bombing and will recommend an action plan in order for its transparency.