Argentina summoned the acting American ambassador Tuesday over his comments on its failure to repay debt tied up in a US legal battle.

Argentina summoned the acting American ambassador Tuesday over his comments on its failure to repay debt tied up in a US legal battle, protesting his use of the word "default" and accusing him of trampling on the country's sovereignty.

Kevin Sullivan, the charge d'affaires and top-ranking diplomat at the US embassy in Buenos Aires, told Argentine newspaper Clarin that it was "important for Argentina to exit default as soon as possible to return to the path of growth and attract the investment it needs."

That touched a raw nerve in President Cristina Kirchner's government, which denies it is in default and blames the US for failing to rein in a federal judge who has blocked Argentina from paying its restructured debt until it settles its $1.3 billion dispute with two US hedge funds.

Sullivan's comments were "incorrect, unfortunate and inappropriate," cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich told journalists.
"They constitute undue interference in the country's sovereignty."

The foreign ministry had summoned Sullivan for Tuesday, he said.
"We consider that (Sullivan's) comments are incorrect because Argentina pays and fulfills its obligations," he added.

"The impediment some bondholders have had (in collecting interest payments) doesn't come from Argentina. It's an objective problem created by a judge who's obstructing the payment process."