Falklands: OAS sceptical about possible mediation from the Pope: he’s Argentine

Wednesday, March 20th 2013 - 07:23 UTC

Full article 91 comments

Insulza said that in no way can you compare the 1978 situation and John Paul II mediation

The Organization of American States Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza is sceptical about a possible mediation from Pope Francis between Argentina and the UK over the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty dispute as was requested by President Cristina Fernandez.

“I support that dialogue, which I consider is the only chance there is, but I doubt it is an issue for the Pope. Besides as an Argentine it is even more difficult for him to act”, said Insulza speaking from Rome where he was attending the mass in St Peter’s square.

When her request to Francis, Cristina Fernandez mentioned the fact that back in 1978 then Pope John Paul II had mediated in the conflict between Argentina and Chile over the Beagle channel and which was stopped when the Argentine tanks started rolling towards their neighbour on the Pacific.

However Insulza said that circumstances are different because at the time there was a situation of imminent war, “but now things are entirely different, since the Argentine leader has discarded recovering the Malvinas by force” and this is also written into the Argentine constitution.

Insulza added that following the inauguration mass he congratulated the Pope and he expressed “his deep desire in the heart that relations between Argentina and Chile should always be very good”.

Finally the OAS head praised the new pope as a man of good intentions, extremely generous, who cares for the people.

Categories: Politics, Argentina, Falkland Islands, International.

Tags: Cristina Fernandez, Falkland Islands, Falkland/Malvinas, Jose Miguel Insulza, OEA, Pope Francis.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

RICO
Given the previous comments made by the Pope when he was Archbishop of BA, You could see why KFC would want him as an independent mediator.

We have yet to see if the words that he says as Pastor of his flock in Argentina will be the same now he has a worldwide flock including Catholics in the Falkland Islands, Great Britain and other Commonwealth nations.
Mar 20th, 2013 - 08:19 am 0
Huntsman Extraordinaire
ICJ, theres a nice impartial mediator - go see them.
Mar 20th, 2013 - 08:20 am 0
Doveoverdover
UN SG has been told by the UN to offer his good offices as a mediator. This he has done but neither side has taken him up on it.
Mar 20th, 2013 - 09:07 am 0

Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!