Thursday, December 15, 2011

Uruguay’s Mujica denies Argentine pressure to restrict British ships

Uruguayan President José ‘Pepe’ Mujica denied today suffering pressure from the Argentine government to restrict British ships from docking at Montevideo’s ports. The statements where made in response to related stories published by the local press today. He also reiterated Malvinas Islands flagged ships are not allowed to dock on the Uruguayan coast.

In an official statement published by the Presidency’s website the government stressed “there was no call by the Argentine government to deny entry to British vessels as mistakenly informed by the press.”

Mujica also said that “the prohibition for Malvinas Islands ships is part of a political position adopted by his country since Argentina claims the islands and Uruguay supports that claim.” He also reminded British vessels are welcomed to dock at the Uruguayan shore as “any other country.”

Today the newspaper El País reported diplomatic sources said the Argentine government have showed “discontentment” at Uruguayan authorities for allegedly allowing ships coming from the Malvinas Islands to dock at Montevideo’s ports. The head of the National Port Administration Carlos Días has denied the press reports, but said they will “look into” the case with consideration.