Thatcher was ready for Falkland Islands deal, National Archives papers show

[alp227]

Source: guardian

Margaret Thatcher was prepared to do a deal with Argentina after the invasion of the Falklands over the status of the islands, including the question of sovereignty, as she came under intense pressure from the US to avoid a military response, government papers released on Friday reveal.

UK government declarations and rhetoric at the time gave the impression that nothing short of the withdrawal of all Argentinian forces, the reaffirmation of British sovereignty and a return to the position as it was before the invasion would be acceptable. But the papers show Thatcher and her senior ministers were privately adopting a more flexible approach, including allowing a continuing Argentinian presence on the islands.

Less than two weeks after the Argentinian invasion on 2 April 1982, Thatcher described a "diplomatic solution" as being "a considerable prize". She was responding specifically to a plan whereby in return for withdrawing its troops Argentina would be represented on an interim commission and on Falkland Islands councils.

Francis Pym, the foreign secretary, is recorded as saying: "It would be a remarkable achievement if this could be brought about, at a time when Britain's military position was still weak."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/28/thatcher-falkland-islands-national-archives

[ck4829]

1. The Reagan Administration didn't do this avoid a war or cared about the Argentine People...

They did this because they didn't want the murderous Argentine military dictatorship spanked by Britain. After the war ended, the regime quickly collapsed in on itself after that. Obviously, Thatcher was far from benevolent herself, but who knows what would have happened to all the communists and 'communists' had Argentina won.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Falklands invasion 'surprised' Thatcher

The 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina took Margaret Thatcher by surprise, newly released government papers have shown.

The then-prime minister only saw it was likely after getting "raw intelligence" two days before the Argentines landed.

Papers released under the 30-year rule show Mrs Thatcher was acutely worried about retaking the islands.

One historian said the documents were among the "most powerful material" declassified in the last three decades.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20800447

[andypandy]

3. bizaare...

its interesting to see that the US was still trying to play both sides of the fence on the last day of the war - Reagan rang London asking for something other than a complete Argentine defeat, given that such a defeat would (and did) lead to the collapse of the military dictatorship.

he got short shrift...

of most interest - i would imagine - to a US audience, is quite how disjointed the US Government was throughout the whole thing: DOD supported the UK, DOS wanted to be neutral, CIA was on both sides at the same time, and Reagan was on all three sides, and never got to grips with any of them...

[dipsydoodle]

4. I recall reference to this in the past.

Apparently Reagan told McNamara to sort it out and McNamara responded with words to the effect "forget it - she's already decided what needs doing"