SECRET
909 - 1
WITH THE MAINLAND REQUIRES A QUICK RESPONSE.
DOWN.
BUT CAN BE TURNED
IF THE TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION LASTS, IT WILL GIVE FULL
PROTECTION TO THE ISLANDERS.
5.
FINALLY, THE WITHDRAWAL DEAL LEAVES YOU PROTECTED. YOUR
SUBMARINES WOULD BE OUTSIDE 150 NAUTICAL MILE MAXIMUM BUT THEY
ARE YOUR GUARANTEE, AND 150 NM IS ONLY FIVE HOURS RUNNING TIME.
THE FLEET MUST STAND OFF TO 1750 NM BY SEVEN DAYS AFTER
AGREEMENT, BUT IT COULD STEAM AT 12 KNOTS SOME 2100 NM AFTER AGREEMENT, AND THUS IN MOST CASES (DEPENDING ON WHEN AGREEMENT WERE TO TAKE PLACE) GO ON STEAMING TOWARDS THE FALKLANDS AFTER
AGREEMENT.
7.
FRANCIS, I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER MORE CAN BE WRUNG OUT OF THE
ARGENTINES. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE, AS MANY AS
· 50 PEOPLE, INCLUDING CORPS COMMANDERS, MAY BE EXERCISING VETOS.
CERTAINLY, I CAN DO NO BETTER AT THIS POINT.
8. I WOULD NOT PRESUME TO SPECULATE IN THE EQUITIES SIC SEEN FROM
YOUR POINT OF VIEW. FROM MINE, THE AGREEMENT, IF ACCEPTED,
WOULD INVOLVE THE ARGENTINES FAR MORE INTIMATELY IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE ISLANDS, YET LEAVE YOU IN CHARGE OF THE CURRENT SITUATION
AND THE ULTIMATE DESTINY. ABOVE ALL, ARGENTINA, THE UNITED STATES
AND UNITED KINGDOM WOULD BE BOUND TOGETHER IN THE SEARCH FOR AN EVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, WITH OBVIOUS FUTURE COSTS
TO EACH OF US IF IT CANNOT BE FOUND. ONLY YOU CAN JUDGE THAT
OUTCOME AGAINST THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ARMED ACTION.
9. MY BEST IMMEDIATE JUDGEMENT IN THIS SITUATION IS THAT I SHOULD RETURN TO WASHINGTON AND REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT. I AM
AVAILABLE, OF COURSE, TO GO ON IMMEDIATELY FROM THERE TO LONDON,
OR EVEN TO DIVERT FROM WASHINGTON TO LONDON, IF YOU WISH.`
10. LEAVING HERE, I WILL REFUSE TO CHARACTERIZE THE TEXT, AND
SAY ONLY THAT I HAVE FINISHED THIS PHASE OF MY EFFORT, AND AM
RETURNING TO WASHINGTON TO REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT. I WILL SAY
THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU A FULL REPORT OF THE RESULTS OF MY STAY IN
BUENOS AIRES.
11.
I WOULD BE DEEPLY GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH ME
BEFORE TAKING ANY PUBLIC OR OTHER ACTION ON THESE RESULTS I AM
TRANSMITTING.
ENDS
12.
SEE MY 2 IFTS FOR TEXT OF LETTER, AND HASIG'S ANNOTASTIONS.
PYM
FCO
S AM D
CABINET OFFICE
2
SECRET
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
FALKLAND ISLANDS
COPIES TO
PS/CHANCELLOR
SIR K COUZENS
MR LITTLER
MR HAWTIN
MR PERETZ
TREASURY
MR ILETT
MR FULLER DIO CABINET OFFICE
MISS DICKSON (EIP DIVN) D/ENERGY
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