MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Macri's ministers pledge not a single day rest in the fight for Malvinas sovereignty

“This is my first experience with these such solemn events and I can't but feel but highly emotional” admitted minister Frigerio

”There's not going to be a single day in the four years of (President Mauricio Macri) government in which we will not continue to fight for our rights in the South Atlantic”, said Argentine Interior minister Rogelio Frigerio during the April 2 commemoration of Malvinas war veteran and Fallen Day in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego.

 On that date back in 1982, the Argentine military invaded the Falklands/Malvinas until they were ousted 74 days later, but still a significant percentage of Argentines feel it was a 'noble cause', but implemented with bastard intentions, in reference to the military junta that was desperate to remain in office.

Defeat in the Falklands was the death kiss for the Junta since a year later Argentina was readying for elections and a return to a democratically elected government in December 1983.

“This is my first experience with these solemn events and I can't but feel but highly emotional” admitted the minister who together with his Education peer Esteban Bullrich represented president Mauricio Macri at the ceremony.

The ceremony took place at the edge of the Beagle Channel under intense cold and rain, but reaffirms “the president of the Nation's commitment to the Malvinas cause” added Frigerio.

The minister also referred to the recent UN decision on the Argentine continental platform extension, which he described as “an achievement of State policy which keeps the country independent from whoever rules”.

“If the forum of world nations recognize our sovereignty, we must be capable of further strengthening our position and follow a foreign policy which is reasonable, serious and intelligent which will enable us to recover the Islands” added Frigerio.

Bullrich also said he was feeling very emotional by the vigil the previous night at Rio Grande and the commemoration ceremony in Ushuaia which “reminds us we must continue to toil not only for sovereignty, but also for the natural resources of our austral sea”.

He added, “being here helps understand how people belong and identify with their territory, including the Malvinas Islands”.

On her side Tierra del Fuego governor Rosana Bertone, who is facing a 32-strike from government employees, said she was grateful president Macri had sent his ministers in support of commemorations.

“We take this as a support for the people of Tierra del Fuego and also for the claim which is in the minds and hearts of all good Argentines in our national territory”, said governor Bertone.

Walter Batista head of the Malvinas veterans chapter in Ushuaia called not to yield an inch on the sovereignty claim otherwise “we will suffer the reprove from all those looking at us from their brass monuments”

Minister Bullrich spent the night at Rio Grande next to the “Dignity tent” on the vigil of April 2 (invasion day), which convenes Malvinas veterans' groupings from all over Argentina.

Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego, played a significant role during the 1982 conflict and was declared “Vigil Capital” by Congress. Likewise a bill from 22 November 2000 declared 2 April as the Malvinas war Veteran and Fallen Day.

The conflict ended 14 June with the surrender of Argentine military to the British Task Force sent to recover the Falklands. The death toll was 649 Argentines and 255 British combatants and three civilians, Falkland Islanders.