MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Malvinas Veterans are increasingly recognized for their valor and courage”

Ambassador Kent mentioned that Argentines and British forces are working shoulder to shoulder in the UN peace keeping operation in the island of Cyprus

The Argentine Army Chief of Staff said he perceives a greater recognition from society towards Malvinas veterans, and this recognition, with time, is increasing. Lieutenant General Claudio Pasqualini made the statement at Wednesday's traditional meeting of the Buenos Aires Rotary Club, which on this occasion had another special guest at his table, British ambassador Mark Kent.

“Year after year, this very much deserved recognition towards our Malvinas veterans is increasing , and it will continue to increase because we are becoming more aware of the dimension of what they did, achieved, their valor and courage, displayed in the Malvinas Islands despite been isolated, under siege and with limited resources”, said the Army Chief of Staff

Ambassador Kent was also invited to talk and in a brief speech mentioned the South Atlantic conflict. “We do not deny, or ignore what happened in 1982, but we are working with the Veterans and the families of the fallen to honor their memory”. Further on the ambassador underlined the intensification of joint efforts between Argentina and the UK, and to that respect mentioned that Argentines and British forces are working shoulder to shoulder in the UN peace keeping operation in the island of Cyprus“.

Looking ahead, ”we continue along the path of collaboration and sharing responsibilities“, and thus ambassador Kent said he was grateful that the Argentine Army Chief of Staff was attending the event, which he described as ”a symbol of our collaboration“

Lt. General Pasqualini also talked about the current reconversion of the Argentine army with the purpose of de-bureaucratizing and making it more efficient in accordance with available resources. ”This chapter should be completed by the end of the year, and should be followed by the improvement and renewal of equipment“.

Asked about women in the Army, Lt General Pasqualini said that currently there are no restrictions for women on duty, even in combat, although this will depend whether they are in conditions to comply with those duties.

As to a return of mandatory conscription, the Chief of Staff was more cautious recalling that ”this is a political decision, as was the elimination of the military service in the nineties”.

Finally Juan Javier Negri, Rotary Buenos Aires club chair recalled that two former presidents of the Rotary Club had also been Argentine presidents. He mentioned General Agustin P. Justo who was elected to office and held the job from 1932 to 1938. Likewise General Hipólito Irigoyen, who led a military coup and was president between 1930 and 1932.