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FM FCO 031600Z DEC 80
TO PRIORITY CERTAIN MISSIONS AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
GUIDANCE TELEGRAM NUMBER 125 OF 3 DECEMBER 1980
FALKLAND ISLANDS
A STATEMENT (TEXT IN VS/148/80) WAS MADE IN PARLIAMENT ON
2 DECEMBER ON THE RECENT VISIT BY THE MINISTER OF STATE,
MR RIDLEY, TO THE FALKLAND ISLANDS. THE FOLLOWING MAY BE DRAWN
ON FREELY IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS.
LINE TO TAKE
2. (I) EFFECTS OF THE DISPUTE.
THE CONTINUING UNCERTAINTY WHICH THE DISPUTE CREATES OVERSHADOWS
THE LIVES AND FUTURE OF THE ISLANDERS. IT PREVENTS THE EXPANSION
OF THE ECONOMY AND EXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES. THE POPULATION IS
DECLINING.
(II) UK AIMS.
WE WANT TO EXPLORE POSSIBILITES FOR A SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL THE PARTIES. BUT WE SHALL DO NOTHING WHICH IS
NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF THE ISLANDERS. MR RIDLEY'S VISIT TO THE ISLANDS WAS IN ORDER TO CONSULT ISLANDERS ON POSSIBLE BASES FOR A CONTINUATION OF THE DIALOGUE WITH ARGENTINA.
(III) WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
WE HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT OUR SOVEREIGNTY. BUT THE DISPUTE WILL NOT
JUST GO AWAY. THE AIM OF ANY SOLUTION MUST BE TO MAINTAIN BRITISH ADMINISTRATION AND WAY OF LIFE WHILE ALLOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY AND RESOURCES. ONE IDEA ON WHICH ISLANDER VIEWS ARE BEING SOUGHT IS A LEASEBACK ARRANGEMENT (THE CESSION OF THE TITLE OF SOVEREIGNTY TO THE ISLANDS AGAINST A LONG LEASE BACK TO THE UK OF ALL THE TERRITORIES AND MARITIME ZONES AND CONTINENTAL SHELVES CONCERNED).
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(IV) WHAT DO ISLANDERS THINK?
WE AWAIT THEIR VIEWS. NO PRESSURES ARE BEING PUT ON THEM. IT IS
THEIR FUTURE: THEY MUST DECIDE.
(V) WHAT WOULD LEASEBACK INVOLVE?
HYPOTHETICAL AT THIS STAGE. DETAILS WOULD HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED.
A LEASE WOULD NEED TO BE FOR A LONG PERIOD, COVERING SEVERAL
GENERATIONS, IF IT IS TO BE ACCEPTABLE.
(VI) ARGENTINE VIEWS?
PREMATURE TO SPECULATE ON THE ARGENTINE POSITION. BUT WE ARE
AWARE THAT THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT DO WANT TO SEE SUBSTANTIVE
NEGOTIATING UNDERTAKEN.
(VII) DATE FOR FUTURE TALKS?
NONE HAS BEEN SET.
BACKGROUND
3.
GUIDANCE TELNO 37 GIVES BACKGROUND TO DISPUTE. THE TALKS
REFERRED TO IN THAT GUIDANCE WERE EXPLORATORY ONLY BUT SERVED TO
ESTABLISH AGAIN THE RESPECTIVE POSITIONS OF THE UK AND ARGENTINA.
THERE HAVE BEEN NO TALKS SINCE, ALTHOUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE
DISCUSSED THE DISPUTE BRIEFLY WITH THE ARGENTINE FOREIGN
MINISTER AT THE UNGA IN SEPTEMBER. WE DO NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE
ISLANDERS' CONSIDERED REACTION TO THE VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES FOR
PROGRESS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR.
CARRINGTON
BY TELEGRAPH:
BUENOS AIRES
SANTIAGO
BRASILIA PORT STANLEY
[ALL PRIORITY]
MONTEVIDEO
AND SAVING TO CERTAIN OTHER POSTS
FCO/WHITEHALL DISTRIBUTION
INFORMATION D
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ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
GUIDANCE
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