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America - Europe

A Transatlantic Diary 1961 - 1989

Klaus Lanzinger


South Bend, Tuesday, April 6, 1982

The Side Show

The world community was startled last Friday, April 2, to learn that at dawn Argentine naval forces had invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands. What does this side show mean, which at this time is diverting attention from the East West conflict? The new military junta in Buenos Aires must have seen it as an opportune moment for risking now an international conflict by occupying the Malvines.

The indignation in Great Britain was understandably great. Foreign Secretary Lord Peter Carrington took responsibility for having underestimated the danger of the situation and resigned today. But Margaret Thatcher remained firm and resolved. A British navy task force is already on its way to the South Atlantic. Now, one can look forward in suspense to what will happen when the task force reaches the 8,000 miles distant Falkland Islands.

Note

[The Falkland Islands are situated about 400 miles northeast of Cape Horn. This group of islands in the South Atlantic was named by English sailors in 1690 after Viscount Falkland. The Falkland Sound divides the archipelago into East Falkland with the capital Stanley and the barren, virtually unsettled West Falkland. Since 1833 the Falklands have been a British crown colony, which also includes South Georgia, a small group of islands 600 miles to the east. In the 19th century, the Falkland Islands were of strategic importance for navigation around Cape Horn. The Falklands are altogether sparsely populated. The population of about 2,500, half of whom live in Stanley, is primarily of Scottish origin. Sheep-breeding and fishery are the main source of livelihood. The inhabitants of the Falklands have always declared that they wished to live under British rule and the protection of their homeland.

The Spanish name “Malvinas” derives from the French “Malouines.” Citizens from Saint­-Malo had, for a short period of time in the 18th century, settled on the East Island, before it was turned over to Spain. Since 1820, Argentina has asserted territorial claims on the “Islas Malvinas,” including the South Georgia island group. Diplomatic efforts for many years before 1982 to find a peaceful solution in the dispute over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands were of no avail.]

South Bend, April 18, 1982

Shuttle Diplomacy

U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig has set a new record in shuttle diplomacy. He has been moving nonstop back and forth between Washington, London and Buenos Aires to mediate in the Falklands conflict. Both sides, however, have assumed a very obstinate and uncompromising attitude. Neither Great Britain nor Argentina has agreed somehow to yield in the question of sovereignty. While Haig is still negotiating in Buenos Aires, the British navy already crossed the equator and is sailing toward the Falkland Islands. In the meantime, Argentina has reinforced its troops on the Malvinas.

April 25, 1982

War Appears to Be Unavoidable

Since all attempts at mediation and diplomatic efforts have led nowhere, war between Great Britain and Argentina appears to be unavoidable. Today, the British task force has reached the disputed islands in the South Atlantic. South Georgia was taken without resistance worth speaking of. But the real showdown lies ahead at the Falklands, where Argentina has concentrated its armed forces.


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