NEGOTIATIONS (GENERAL)
1.
There can be no question of negotiations with Argentina on sovereignty over the Falkland Islands as if nothing had happened. Nor can we be expected to negotiate about the Falklands with a country that will not renounce the unlawful use of force, will not take account of the wishes of the Islanders and insists that negotiations should lead only to the transfer of sovereignty. is required is a fundamental change in Argentina's attitude.
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION OF 4 NOVEMBER 1982
2.
What
The Resolution, with its reference to non-use of force and its call for resumed negotiations, was cynical and hypocritical, coming as it did from a country which broke off negotiations only seven months previously to launch an armed invasion of the Falklands. Absurdly, it suggested that the situation in the Falkland Islands was a threat to universal peace. It ignored the Islanders' right to self-determination. It remains totally unacceptable.
WILL HMG NOW NEGOTIATE?
3. No. The resolution is totally unacceptable. Our view on this has been made abundantly clear. A General Assembly resolution is only advisory, not mandatory like a Security Council resolution of the kind which Argentina persistently flouted. We shall continue to stand by our commitments to the Falkland Islands.
RELATIONS WITH ARGENTINA
We have achieved have not yet been able However we shall
4. Since the end of the conflict we have indicated our willingness to normalise our relations with Argentina. progress on the financial side, although we to achieve the lifting of trade sanctions. continue to do our best to restore proper relations, because that is of real interest and importance to the Falkland Islanders.
TRADE RELATIONS WITH ARGENTINA
5. The reciprocal lifting of financial restrictions was agreed in September. We are in contact with the Argentine authorities to achieve full implementation of the agreement. In October 1982, the Presidency of the European Community made a demarche to the Argentines to seek the restoration of normal commercial and economic relations between members of the Community and Argentina and the removal of discriminatory measures. Argentina's reply suggested that there was no discrimination. In December, the Community made a further demarche, making it clear that it had in mind restrictions against one member of the Community, Britain. of 1 March was unhelpful and evasive. for removal of the restrictions.
The Argentine's reply
We are continuing to press