CONFIDENTIAL
5. THE COMMENTARY ENDS THAT PEACEFUL NEGOTIATION IS STILL THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE. THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL HAVE CALLED FOR A CEASEFIRE BY BOTH SIDES. ARGEN- TINA HAS ALREADY GIVEN A POSITIVE RESPONSE AND WE HOPE THAT BRITAIN WILL ALSO RESPOND TO UN MEDIATION AND IMMEDIATELY CEASE FIRE, SO AS TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE MALVINAS DISPUTE’'.
6. THIS COMMENTARY MARKS A NEW LEVEL IN TENDENTIOUSNESS. IT REFERS TO SCR 502, BUT NOT TO THE WITHDRAWAL OF ARGENTINIAN FORCES. ITS REFERENCE TO ARGENTINIAN ACCEPTANCE OF MEDIATION AND BRITISH INTRANSIGENCE MISREPRESENTS THE TRUTH MORE BLATANTLY THAN ANY PREVIOUS CHINESE COMMENTARY. THERE IS LTTLE LEFT OF THE CHINESE CLAIM TO BE AINTAINING POSITION OF NEUTRALITY, THOUGH THEY CONTINUE TO CALL FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT.
M
7. SINCE DRAFTING THIS TELEGRAM ANOTHER NONA COMMENTARY DATED 7 MAY (REF NO: 050709) HAS APPEARED. THIS TAKES A SLIGHTLY MORE HOSTILE VIEW OF THE BRITISH POSITION, QUOTING WORLD OPINION, INCLUDING THE IRISH DEFENCE MINISTER, IN CONDEMNING BRITAIN,
CRADOCK
FALKLAND ISLANDS GENERAL
FCO
S AM D
CABINET OFFICE
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
FALKLAND ISLANDS
2
CONFIDENTIAL
i