Argentine Cemetery in Goose Green

Perhaps the most southern military cemetery in the world, the Argentine cemetery holds the remains of 233 soldiers, some identified by name and some others under the legend "here remains an Argentine soldier known only by God," inscripted on the white cross.

This cemetery is off limits for most of the relatives of the fallen soldiers, because visits by people from Argentina are presently not allowed. The recent contingent of some 15 relatives shown in the pictures was allowed to visit in late February, after some negotiations between the Argentine government, the UK and the authorities at the Falkland Islands.

Next of kin visitors are not openly welcomed, but seen with compassion by the Falklanders. However, it is not possible to foresee much opening in the visits regime, because it is now impossible to expect any kind of interaction between the islands and the continent that would be perceived as neutral, without it being adscribed to some political recovery purposes.

Officially, no reconciliation procedures were ever implemented between Argentines and Falklanders after the 1982 invasion, to help assuage the wounds of the ensuing war that ended with Argentina's defeat on June 14th, 1982. This lack of reconciliation, added to the uncertain circumstances of their political future, makes the Islanders wary of more personal contact with visiting fallen soldiers' next of kin.

This last visit was peaceful and respectful of both sides' concerns. It was documented by Nicholas Tozer, co-editor of the Buenos Aires Herald, who provided the pictures shown here. The Argentine cemetery is kept and maintained by the British garrison permanently stationed in the Falkland Islands.

Rainbow		Next of Kin

Nick Tozer, Co-editor of the Buenos Aires Herald

Home Page|Falkland Islands | Republica Argentina | United Kingdom | Hot Issues | Discussion Forum | E-mail us