Argentina brushed away British diplomatic overtures and accused
London of "arrogance" as the two countries yesterday marked the
outbreak of their war over the Falkland Islands 25 years ago.
The islands are known in Argentina by their Spanish name, the
Malvinas.
While British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett voiced
"continuing regret" over the loss of life on both sides of the
conflict in the South Atlantic, her Argentinean counterpart
condemned what he described as the insensitive military
triumphalism of London's commemorative plans.
"What they want to do is not what (Tony Blair) called a
commemoration, but a triumphant military parade, a typical gesture
of arrogance," Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana said on Sunday.
His remarks capped a week of Argentine salvos over the islands.
Argentina unilaterally canceled a bilateral oil exploration
agreement with Britain and announced sanctions against companies
exploring in the disputed area.
As much as 60 billion barrels of crude lie in ocean-bed
structures around the archipelago.
Britain and Argentina waged a two-month long war after
Argentina's military government, headed by General Leopoldo
Galtieri, invaded the remote South Atlantic islands, 480 kilometers
off its coast, on April 2, 1982.
More than 900 people died including 649 Argentinian and 255
British troops and three islanders during air, land and sea
hostilities.
Twelve thousand kilometers away, Britain's then Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher, whose "Iron Lady" reputation was forged during
the crisis, sent in 110 ships and 28,000 military personnel to
retake the islands, which had around 3,000 inhabitants.
In a statement on the eve of the invasion anniversary, Beckett
had stressed London's commitment to "constructive" ties with Buenos
Aires, and announced an offer for families of dead Argentine
soldiers to hold a memorial ceremony on the islands towards the end
of the year.
Taiana admitted the war was "a tragic event and a mistake," but
insisted it did not alter the validity of Argentina's claims to
sovereignty over the Falklands which dates back to the early 19th
century.
And he blasted London for what he described as "its repeated
refusal to comply with an international mandate on beginning talks"
about the future of the islands.
Britain insists that Falklanders first have to vote for the
British withdrawal at a referendum, a plebiscite that has yet to
take place. The majority of the population of the islands is firmly
pro-British.
Problematic relations
The two countries reestablished diplomatic relations in 1990
but, despite efforts at reconciliation in recent years, ties remain
problematic and Argentina rejected an invitation to a joint
commemoration service in London to mark the 25th anniversary of the
conflict.
In an editorial yesterday, the British newspaper The
Times said it was time to repair relations that were, at
present, "reasonable but not much more."
"More exchanges and an end to lingering hostility would bolster
the islands' confidence and prospects," it said.
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner was expected to attend a
commemorative ceremony in the town of Ushuaia, in the south of the
country, organized by veterans of the war.
London is remembering the anniversary of the conflict with a
series of events in the coming weeks, including exhibitions,
veterans' reunion dinners and church memorials.
Thatcher, now 81 years old and in poor health, is among those
taking part in the events, which will climax on June 14, the date
in 1982 when Argentina surrendered to Britain.
(China Daily via agencies April 3, 2007)
