Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Falklands/Malvinas War, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner made a speech today at just after 1pm from Plaza Islas Malvinas, Ushuaia, to honour the deaths of 649 Argentines who died during the war.
The president paid tribute to the soldiers, stating “We come to honour these men with medals on their chests, won in battle. But we are also here to honour the hundreds of young people who fought on the islands.”
Commenting on UK prime minister David Cameron’s speech made earlier today, the president stated that Argentina wanted “live in peace” with the inhabitants of the Falklands/Malvinas.
“Few countries the world have such an open immigration policy as Argentina. How will we not respect the interests of the islanders? We want to live in peace with them.”
She also criticised Cameron’s assertion that in 1982 Argentines invaded the freedom of the islands’ inhabitants. “He is clearly not aware that back then, the Argentine people’s freedom was also taken captive by the military dictatorship… it was not the decision of the Argentine people to go on to war.”
President Fernández was one of five speakers today in Plaza Islas Malvinas, Ushuaia. The Tierra del Fuego governor also made a speech, as well as war veterans from around the country
left wing populism in the vein of Hugo Chavez who she increasingly resembles.