330. Information Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs (Seitz) to Acting Secretary of State Stoessel1
SUBJECT
- Public Supports “Siding” with Britain Over Falklands, But Opposes U.S. Military Involvement
SUMMARY
The first available poll taken since the start of British-Argentine hostilities and the announcement of U.S. sanctions against Argentina shows: (1) A large majority of the public credits the U.S. with having done “all it could” to prevent the British-Argentine war (by 64% to 22%); (2) a smaller majority approves the U.S. “taking sides with Great Britain” rather than Argentina once hostilities had begun (by 53% to 35%), but the question underestimates the strength of neutrality sentiment; and (3) the public overwhelmingly opposes sending American forces to “help fight with the British against Argentina” (only 6% were in favor). END SUMMARY
NBC asked respondents these four questions on May 10–11—after the British capture of South Georgia, but before the invasion of the Falklands:
(1) “Do you think the United States has done all it could to prevent war between Great Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands?”
| Yes | 64% |
| No | 22 |
| Not sure | 14 |
| 100% |
(2) “Do you approve or disapprove of the United States taking sides with Great Britain and against Argentina in the Falklands dispute?”
| Approve | 53% |
| Disapprove | 35 |
| Not sure | 12 |
| 100% |
(3) (Asked of the 35% who answered “Disapprove” on Q. 2):
“Do you think the United States should have remained neutral or should the United States have taken sides with Argentina against Great Britain?”
| Remained neutral | 33% |
| Sided with Argentina | 1 |
| Not sure | 1 |
| 35% |
(4) (Asked of the 53% who answered “Approve” on Q. 2):
“Do you think the United States should send American troops to help fight with the British against Argentina?”
| Don’t send troops | 45% |
| Send troops | 6 |
| Not sure | 2 |
| 53% |
Polls taken before the start of hostilities also showed hardly any Americans want the U.S. to side with Argentina in the Falklands dispute. When the neutrality option was explicitly provided, however, a large majority favored U.S. neutrality instead of siding with Britain. A Harris poll, conducted in mid-April, asked:
“If war were to break out between Argentina and Great Britain—and assuming that the U.S. would not actually fight in that war—do you think the U.S. government should help Argentina, should help Britain, or should remain strictly neutral?”
| Remain neutral | 83% |
| Help Britain | 12 |
| Help Argentina | 1 |
| Not sure | 4 |
- Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P820082–1867. No classification marking. Drafted by A. Richman (PA/OAP) on June 8. A stamped notation at the top of the memorandum indicates that Stoessel saw it on June 11.↩