Writing to the Guardian on the 40th anniversary of Argentina’s invasion of the islands in April 1982, Santiago Cafiero called for improved bilateral relations. In an important statement on the thinking of the Argentine coalition government in the islands, he said that the UK’s treatment of Argentina at times was similar to that shared in a country that violates basic human rights rules rather than a nation that is democratic. for 40 years. He writes: “We believe that no outcome of any war can resolve a dispute recognized by the international community. This would set a dangerous precedent. “The 1982 conflict has not changed the nature of the dispute between the two countries, which is still being negotiated and resolved.” The Foreign Minister also points out that before the sudden invasion of the Argentine dictatorship, negotiations were held for 16 years on the essence of the sovereignty of the islands that took into account the interests of the inhabitants of the islands. Pretending that disagreement does not exist or that it does not create obstacles in our bilateral relations is “naive,” he says. He insists that “the two governments share fundamental values and a vision for a world order based on rules. “And yet, on the South Atlantic agenda, we are behaving as if the conflict had only taken place yesterday.” The Argentine invasion took Whitehall and the British intelligence service by surprise, leading to a panicked and balanced debate within the cabinet over the expediency of sending a task force to liberate the islands, which the Argentine junta believed Thatcher lacked the resources, the determination and the determination. diplomatic support. “Modern Argentina is not a threat to anyone,” he said, noting that the pursuit of historic sovereignty in the national constitution depends on its peaceful pursuit. “Nevertheless, the United Kingdom maintains a significant military base in the South Atlantic, conducts periodic military exercises in the disputed area, and maintains restrictions on the sale of dual-use military equipment to Argentina,” he wrote. He says such restrictions are usually reserved for countries responsible for serious human rights violations, and considers it “incomprehensible” to provide such treatment to Argentina. He says his government has come up with proposals that would be beneficial, such as resuming regular flights between the Falkland Islands and Argentina. “More flights means more trade, more tourism and more dialogue, as we have had in the past,” he said, but so far there has been no clear response from the UK to a request to reopen flights. It also notes the great progress made by veterans, islanders and the International Committee of the Red Cross to help locate the bodies of most of the unknown Argentine soldiers who fell during the recapture of the islands by British forces. “We have also made great progress in the last 40 years on humanitarian issues. “We have been able to identify the remains of more than 120 Argentine ex-combatants and respond to their families, after so many years of uncertainty.” A third excavation is planned with the help of the Relatives of the Fallen in the Malvinas and the South Atlantic Islands. The invasion of Argentina, initially hailed as patriotic and politically beneficial to the dictatorship, eventually led to the collapse of General Galtieri’s regime as the death toll rose and the lack of training for a working-class army became apparent. A total of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers and three Falkland Islands were killed in the conflict. The Malvinas veterans, who were initially ignored, now have a bigger status, with April 2nd as a day of remembrance. Since the defeat, Argentina has pursued a number of diplomatic initiatives, including the militant one led by then-president Néstor Kirchner since 2003 and since 2007 by his wife Cristina. Those 13 years included non-cooperation on hydrocarbons and a ban on ships flying the Falkland Islands flag in Argentina. A referendum on the islands in 2013 revealed 99.8% desire to remain British, and has since been the cornerstone of the UK’s diplomatic stance. In 2016, Argentina reverted to a more conciliatory approach under the leadership of Mauricio Macri’s government, but the center-right former Buenos Aires mayor fell from power in 2019 after failing to offer financial prosperity.
