Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XIII, Conflict in the South Atlantic, 1981–1984

421. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Argentina and the United Kingdom¹

Washington, January 19, 1983, 1621Z

16069. Subject: Clarifying Argentine Perceptions of U.S. Policy Regarding Falklands/Malvinas Dispute. Ref: A. Buenos Aires 246,² B. State 12311,³ C. London 1155.⁴

1. C–Entire text.

2. The Department continues to coordinate efforts aimed at reminding the Argentines that there has been no change in our policy with regard to the use of force under any guise in the Falklands.

3. Efforts to convey this position began January 13, when ARA/SC Alternate Director spoke with Argentine DCM Herrera Vegas (Ref B.). On the same day, Ambassador Middendorf pursuant to request (Ref A.) took the opportunity of the OAS Permanent Council meeting to raise the issue of U.S. opposition to the use of force with Argentine OAS Ambassador Quijano. Ambassador Quijano replied that he completely understood the U.S. position based on our previous statements before the OAS and UN.

4. As indicated, ARA has relayed concerns to DOD and requested that message be passed to Argentine attaches. DOD/ISA stated that the message on US inflexibility regarding the use of force in the South Atlantic has been passed formally and informally on numerous occasions since November, most recently in conversations with both the Argentine air and naval attaches on January 10 and 14 respectively. DASD/IA has also indicated that he will host a luncheon for the Argentine Ambassador Garcia del Solar. DOD/ISA will make separate approach to Argentine army attache. DOD/ISA feels that it is adequately reinforcing Department’s efforts and in further discussions will reaffirm US position as suitable opportunities arise and has little doubt that Argentine Washington officials understand US position on issue.

5. Department is awaiting update on USUN efforts to contact Argentine delegation.

6. Embassy London may share information contained in this cable and in Ref B with FCO.

Shultz

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D830031–0608. Confidential; Immediate. Sent for information Immediate to USUN. Drafted by R. Walser (ARA/SC); cleared by Johnson, K. Smith (EUR/NE), L. Barnett (IO), R. Howard (ARA/SC), and C. Brown (DOD/ISA); approved by Enders.
2. Sent January 12. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D830018–0984)
3. Sent January 14 to Buenos Aires and USUN. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D830024–0916)
4. In telegram 1155 from London, January 18, the Embassy suggested briefing the FCO on U.S. approaches to Argentina regarding U.S. Falklands/Malvinas policy “before they learn of these efforts independently.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D830029–0443) Summarizing the subsequent briefing, the Embassy reported: “We briefed FCO on the steps taken by USG to make clear that ‘we would not countenance Argentinian use of force in any guise.’ FCO thinks our actions have been just right, and we were told Thatcher is aware of and welcomes what USG is doing. We were told that Thatcher and Pym are taking Argentine threat of harassment in deadly earnest and are following developments closely in frequent high-level meetings to assess intelligence, develop contingencies, etc.” (Telegram 1574 from London, January 21; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D830037–0421)