1935- . Argentine politician, president from
1989; leader of the Peronist (Justice Party)
movement. As president, he improved relations
with the UK. Menem, born in La Rioja
province, joined the Justice Party while
training to be a lawyer. In 1963 he was
elected president of the party in La Rioja
and in 1983 became governor. In 1989 he
defeated the Radical Union Party (UCR)
candidate and became president of Argentina.
Despite anti-British speeches during the
election campaign, President Menem soon
declared a wish to resume normal diplomatic
relations with the UK and to discuss the
future of the Falkland Islands in a spirit of
compromise.