MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Identification of Argentine soldiers' remains in Falklands: Geneva meeting in December
There is a consensus among the Falklands, London and Buenos Aires that the best time for the forensic identification are the coming summer austral months 
An estimated 81 families of the 123 unknown soldiers at the Argentine memorial are believed to have been counted Argentine and British diplomats will be meeting next 10 December in Geneva with the Red Cross to advance in the identification of the remains of 123 Argentine combatants buried at Darwin cemetery in the Falkland islands since 1982.
The news was published by Martin Dinatale in La Nacion quoting sources from the Argentine foreign ministry, which said the proposal had come from London.
Diplomats from both countries and Red Cross experts will work on a document with the details of the identification process and procedure protocol to be addressed by the forensic team. The protocol will establish work conditions for the experts and the time for field tasks
On the Argentine side authorities will continue with the idea of completing a census of the alleged families from Argentine soldiers buried at Darwin. So far an estimated 81 families of the 123 unknown soldiers at the Argentine memorial are believed to have been counted, but another twenty apparently have no relatives and their remains have never been claimed.
Dinatale mentions that there is a consensus among the Falklands, London and Buenos Aires that the best time for the forensic identification are the coming summer austral months when climate conditions are most favorable, with no snow or other adversities.
The Argentine side will be represented by diplomats and members of the Human Rights and Social Development departments.
The decision to advance in the identification and DNA process is included in the recent joint statement agreed two months ago by UK and Argentina when the visit of Sir Alan Duncan and includes the possibility of advancing in trade agreements and cooperation in fisheries and hydrocarbons between Argentina and the Falklands.
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Read all commentsUnfortunately, the Argentine soldiers who were killed had little say in their predicament. They were in the most part young, inexperienced conscripts in the middle of their military service, and despite their unwarranted and inexcusable excesses committed against the islanders once they believed they were in control, were victims of unscrupulous military commanders ; These, as well as the then Argentine president, Gualtieri, should have been tried and hanged. The Argentine should apologize officially to the islanders, as well as give up all their fake claims.
Nov 03rd, 2016 - 04:28 pm +9Think- sometimes you write sensibly- other times you are worse than the worst misinformed fanatic.
Nov 03rd, 2016 - 09:38 pm +7So who do you think is in charge of Environmental Planning Issues in the Islands?
And Public Health issues - I suspect digging up the dead will need their approval at some stage)
And safety and security issues for humane decency?
After all - if it goes ahead one does not want tourists of whatever nationality turning up for a gawp.
Sorry I sat in a public meeting with the ICRC team when they were here and they were emphatic- they are in communications with THREE Governments. All will be involved and all THREE have to be in Agreement for the process to happen.
Yes at initial high level concepts etc that just needs UK and Arg as UK will have got its concept approval lead and direction from FIG. But when it becomes more detailed - THREE sides are involved.
UK does not tell us - nor has control over what is done at a local level.
I do not see any political problem - 3 groups of people and the ICRC sitting around a table working out a practical HUMANITY solution for the sake of those families - got a problem withy that?
Now if one side wishes to try and play dirty politics with its war dead - up to them. But I suspect the world would think the less of them for it.
Darragh - not sure if at this stage but at some stage there will be- ICRC were emphatic - they are working with THREE Govts - Stanley-London-Buenos Aires - and at the appropriate stage of detail all 3 will be at the table.
Nov 03rd, 2016 - 01:19 pm +6FIG has to be at some stage as it is ONLY FIG that can authorise the Planning Permission and approve Site Works and Excavation etc - nothing to do with Uk or Arg. when it gets to that stage.
Wont happen this summer anyway - plan this summer - then the cemetery would be closed off and a perimeter set up a mile or so away for most of next summer 2017-18 while the works go on - ICRC say it will take several months- if it happens.
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