The Argentine ambassador to London, Alicia Castro, denies having “interrupted” British foreign secretary William Hague during the launch of Britain’s annual world review of human rights.
Castro fended off questions regarding her intervention into Hague’s speech at Lancaster House in London.
The foreign secretary was asked at a public hearing whether his country was “open to dialogue” over the question of sovereignty of the Falklands/Malvinas.
“Seeing that the UN and the international community and a large group of Nobel Prize winners urge both countries to negotiate in order to come to a peaceful and permanent resolution, my question is: Are you ready for dialogue? Are we going to give peace a chance?” Castro asked as Hague took questions from the audience.
“You cannot say that you are so good at human rights and democracy if you are not open to dialogue,” the ambassador continued.
A perturbed Hague cut Castro short with “thank you. That’s enough.”
The Argentine ambassador has said that the foreign secretary failed to respond to her question.
In an interview with radio La Red, the official clarified that the meeting was “formally arranged” by the Foreign Office and attended by diplomats, journalists, officials and directors of human rights organisations from around the world.
The diplomat has claimed that she has received “many congratulations” for her intervention and denied that she acted in an “irrational” manner.
Castro assumed her post in London in March amidst escalating tensions surrounding the 30th anniversary of the bilateral conflict. The post had not been filled since 2008. Castro’s appointment is generally assumed to be part of Argentina’s drive to gain international recognition of the Falklands/Malvinas issue.
Britain has maintained that it will only resume dialogue at the request of the 3,000 islanders, something which they have shown no signs of doing thus far.
