Peres with Kirchner
צילום: רויטרס
Argentine president says peaceful nuclear development okay
Peres, Argentine counterpart discuss Iranian nuclear threat and Holocaust denial in Buenos Aires
BUENOS AIRES – President Shimon Peres, currently on a visit to South America, met with Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Monday. She told him that "Argentina supports peaceful nuclear development, as we engage in ourselves".
Kirchner agreed with Peres on the necessity of condemning Holocaust deniers such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Peres welcomed in Argentina (Photo: Reuters)
At a joint press conference following their meeting she said, "We are opposed to anti-Semitism. Holocaust denial – there are such groups here. Argentina's policy calls for a better world."
The Argentine president also referred to the terror attack that took place in 1992 in Buenos Aires and urged Iran to extradite suspects in the case, including its defense minister.
"Iran needs to agree to extradite the suspects, especially those belonging to the Iranian government. According to the law they should have stood trial. If they are prosecuted there that is fine, but they must be brought to justice," she said.
Regarding the peace process Kirchner said, "I have visited Ramallah. We recognize the Palestinians' right to a nation and it is also Israel's right to live along safe borders. Peace in the Middle East is necessary. We will do everything to promote peace in the Middle East and two states living side by side. We are committed to this."
Peres urged Kirchner to encourage Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to return to the negotiating table. She in turn stressed that the key to fighting global terror was to solve the Palestinian problem.
Peres and Kirchner also discussed ways to promote commerce between the two countries. "We invest in energy and agriculture," Kirchner stressed.
Peres also invited his Argentine counterpart to next year's Presidents' Conference, of which the theme is to be advancement of women. He said he would be inviting women from all over the world, including Iran.
