Diplomatic Correspondent James Robbins reports on the ceremony of forgiveness

After laying a wreath to honour the 237 British servicemen who lost their lives in the South Atlantic between April and June 1982, Mr Menem went on to shake hands with those who had fought in the conflict.

Former Parachute Regiment Private Denzil Connick, 41, who lost a leg in the battle for Mount Longdon, admitted that only a few years ago he could not have imagined such a gesture.

The president remembers the dead

But 16 years on from the conflict, he said: "It was an honour to do so. I felt no animosity.

"There was a time when it was beyond my wildest dreams to have met the Argentine head of state, not so many years ago, and I may not have wanted to.

"But things change and you have to change with it."

President Menem also shook hands with Mrs Rita Hedicker, who lost her son, Peter, when he was 22.

Weston: "The whole issue has been done and dusted"

Mrs Hedicker said: "I was very proud to do it. I not only thought about the British families, I also thought about the Argentines who lost their families."

Also among those who attended the landmark ceremony was Simon Weston, who suffered horrific injuries in Bluff Cove when his troop ship was set ablaze.

Mr Weston said the ceremony was very important for the future.

"The past has been done and gone, this is all about the future.

Falklands veteran Simon Weston: "A mark of respect, a mark of regret - that's all a man can offer"

"Hopefully the president will forge greater trade with this country and friendships will be forged and re-forged.

"I want to see things back to the level of normality they once were. The Falklands conflict was a professional thing, not a personal thing."

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook joined the official British delegation with his shadow counterpart Michael Howard.

'Prepare for future'

Mr Cook said: "I think that it's absolutely right that one of the first official engagements of President Menem should have been this act of reconciliation.

"It's right that we should honour those who fell in the Falklands and that we should remember the past as we prepare to build for the future."

Mr Howard echoed Mr Cook's sentiments: "I think it's absolutely right and fitting that President Menem should come and lay his wreath at this act of remembrance."

British veterans were led by Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly, chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association.

During the conflict he treated and operated on dozens of Argentine casualties.

He told the BBC's One O'Clock News: "It was a hugely significant day - very brave of the president to actually lay that wreath."

Jolly: "A hugely significant day"

Only a small minority of the veterans in his association still opposed any reconciliation with Argentina, Dr Jolly said.

"The rest have said 'Please open dialogue and let's do something creative'."

Major General Julian Thompson was another representing the veterans.

Major General Thompson, who commanded the Third Commando Brigade, said it was the first time he had met Argentine veterans, who had invited him back to their country.

He welcomed President Menem's role in the ceremony and said: "It was his idea that he should do it.

"It was a very appropriate and moving ceremony and we had a chance to speak to some of their veterans. It's an excellent day."

But he said any discussion over the future sovereignty of the Falklands was not on the agenda.

Argentine armed forces heads and four veterans were also among the gathering in the cathedral crypt.

Argentine army Major Elmiger Juan Eduardo said he felt happy at the response he had received from British veterans and that it was very important for veterans of the two sides to meet.