The Falklands War - Timeline

[lordroel]

Day 46 of the Falklands War, May 17th 1982

Margaret Thatcher raises British concerns about the order for 4 Exocet missiles that Peru has placed with France, with the French President. He assures her that completion of the order will be delayed; “ .. as long as is necessary.”

Trade sanctions are renewed by the EEC until the 24th . Italy and Ireland make a joint statement saying that they will not apply the embargo.

Australia's Prime Minister tells President Reagan that; “Support for the British position and for what Mrs. Thatcher is trying to achieve is of critical importance to the western alliance.”

Sir Anthony Parsons arrives back in New York and delivers two documents to Secretary-General de Cuéllar. The first is the draft of the proposed Interim Agreement which sets out the British position in full; the second is a letter making it clear that the Falkland Island Dependencies are not a part of the Interim Agreement. He emphasises to the Secretary-General that this is as far as Britain is prepared to go; “ .. these were major concessions. We could make no more. All that Argentina had offered .. was a matching undertaking (if it could be believed) to put sovereignty on one side, and conditional agreement to withdraw, which could hardly be regarded as a concession when Argentina was the aggressor; withdrawal, for an aggressor, was an obligation not a concession. .. This represented the bottom line for HM Government. We could not accept any amendments to it. .. Negotiations could not be allowed to drag on .. we required a reply from the Argentines by 12 noon on 19 May. Any appeals for further time, or any proposals for substantive amendment, would be interpreted as a rejection of our proposals. …

At this point, Pérez de Cuéllar asked me to see him privately. I gave him the side letter about the Dependencies. .. Pérez de Cuéllar then went on to say that, between ourselves, he thought that our paper was perfectly reasonable and he appreciated the effort we had made... He also had some indications that the Argentines were beginning to get a bit desperate, and might genuinely want to get an agreement with us. His feeling was that they thought that we could recapture the Islands without much difficulty and that the only way to save themselves from this ultimate humiliation would be to get an agreement before it happened...”

Pérez de Cuéllar passes the proposal to Ros before issuing a statement; “As you know, Sir Anthony Parsons returned from London this morning and immediately informed me of the British position as defined during the intense consultations he had with his Government over the weekend. This afternoon I conveyed to Vice Minister Ros the information I had received. You will understand that until I hear from the parties I have nothing to add except that I am more than ever convinced that time is not on the side of peace. Therefore efforts to find a peaceful solution will be pursued with vigour. The next few days will be decisive.”

At a “super-restricted” session of the North Atlantic Council (NATO) ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, all speakers including the Foreign Ministers of the USA, Portugal, Germany, France, Italy and Norway express their solidarity with the UK.

A Sea-king helicopter lands near Punta Arenas in Chile and is destroyed by its British crew; “The only snag we ever had was when a British helicopter carrying commandos force-landed on Chilean territory a few miles west of Punta Arenas. We had no knowledge of this operation, and as this violated one of the principles we had laid out, we had a very strong argument with Wing Commander Edwards, who promised it would never happen again. As the wreck of the helicopter burned, everybody in Punta Arenas, and later in Argentina, got wind of the mysterious helicopter. I informed General Pinochet immediately. He then gave the pertinent instructions to deny all Chilean knowledge of this to our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I was given a free hand to help the crew out of Chile.”

[lordroel]

Day 47 of the Falklands War, May 18th 1982

In London, the meeting of the War Cabinet considers Operation SUTTON; “It was for the Chiefs of Staff to advise on the military feasibility of the operation. Their advice, presented first by CDS (Lewin), was that this was about the only option left that was feasible. There was no satisfactory settlement available to be negotiated nor was a long blockade viable. The recommendation was therefore that the landing should go ahead as soon as practicable... Individually the Chiefs made their own submissions, all pointing to the same conclusion... The War Cabinet accepted the advice: the landing and repossession operations would go ahead unless it was clear that an acceptable diplomatic settlement was available by the afternoon of 20 May... The decision was made...”

In Parliament, PM Thatcher makes a statement; “Our representative at the United Nations has had a further meeting with Senor Perez de Cuellar. The negotiations are continuing and we are doing all that we can to reach a peaceful settlement, although there are principles on which we cannot compromise. There remain substantial difficulties. I believe that we shall know within the next day or two whether an agreement is attainable. We cannot have endless Argentine prevarication. We have been negotiating in good faith for six weeks and there has still been no sign of Argentine willingness to implement the Security Council's mandatory resolution. Our determination to ensure that all Argentine forces are withdrawn from the islands remains absolute. We have throughout made it clear that we shall take whatever steps are necessary to bring this about. We are meanwhile increasing the military pressures on the Argentine Government.... I believe that any military action or option cannot and must not be delayed by people who are extending negotiations.”

In Washington, Stoessel reports to President Reagan; “I had a long talk with UK Ambassador Henderson today. He expects the Argentinians will not accept the latest UK proposals, but will come back tomorrow with suggested changes. Henderson anticipates that these in turn will be unacceptable to the British and that the UN Secretary General will thereupon declare his mediation mission at an end. Henderson intimated that a major UK assault on the main island would ensue on the heels of the SG's declaration; he predicted with confidence that the operation would be successful and that the battle—while possibly involving high casualties on both sides - would be over “sooner rather than later.” Henderson thought that when the assault takes place there will be pressure in the UN Security Council for a simple ceasefire without withdrawal (which would be unacceptable to the UK) and that—in his “personal view”—the time would then be appropriate for the US again to come forward as the only power capable of bringing about a settlement.”

Still awaiting an Argentine response, Parsons speaks privately to the Secretary-General; “Pérez de Cuéllar was already regretting that British tactics had made it difficult for him to produce a paper of his own, as he had expected to do by this stage of the process... The end game was still going to be tricky, Parsons warned London. He could now see that Pérez de Cuéllar would probably want to put some proposals to both sides, just to say that he had done so, but without any expectation of success.”

Late in the evening in New York, Deputy Foreign Minister Ros submits a document to the Secretary-General's office; “They were a mixture of requests for clarification, re-statement of known Argentine positions and introduction of new points. ... (a) The Argentines said that they were not clear what we meant by “in consultation with”.. Did it mean that the opinion of the Councils would be binding on the Administrator or not? .. (b) they did not like the references to Article 73 of the Charter, (c) they were prepared to change the date to 30 June 1983, but required a provision that if no agreement had been reached by then the General Assembly would intervene .. They needed a mechanism to ensure that the negotiations did not continue for ever, (d) they wanted the Dependencies included, (e) they wanted a reference to the relevant GA Resolutions in the preamble if possible, and in any case in the terms of reference, (f) they suggested that in the negotiations the SecretaryGeneral should “resort to” a four State Contact Group, two States being nominated by each party, with each party having the right to veto one of the two States proposed by the other, (g) on withdrawal, they proposed a very general clause which would provide for complete withdrawal and return to normal areas of operations within 30 days, (h) there was also a point about communications and access to the Islands for the nationals of both parties during the interim period.” After Ros has left, Pérez de Cuéllar summons Parsons.

“He said that Ros had given him a document containing Argentine “ideas and views” to bridge the differences between us. De Soto then described these. ... I said that I would transmit all this to you … but I could say right away that you would consider this Argentine response as completely unsatisfactory. It did not constitute a clear reply … You would only be able to draw the conclusion that the Argentines were playing for time. .. I had made clear yesterday that such a response would be interpreted by HMG as rejection..”

Kirkpatrick, US Ambassador to the UN, speaks to Ros and her Argentine opposite number, Eduardo Roca; “I attempted without success to persuade them that the British proposal is not so bad; that Argentina could, if she chose, accept it and declare she had won by the establishment of a UN authority responsible for the government...”

Near the Falklands' TEZ, two elements of Britain's naval force, the carrier group (TG317.8) and the amphibious group (TG317.0) rendezvous to facilitate a redistribution of men and supplies via ship-to-ship transfers. Over 4,000 troops are present. Reconnaissance teams are landed using Sea King helicopters.

[lordroel]

Day 48 of the Falklands War, May 19th 1982

The differing units of the Task force join up. These include the ships Fearless, Intrepid, Canberra and Norland, with over 4,000 troops.

Argentina's document is handed over to the British mission after translation. Sir Anthony Parsons notes; “ The Secretariat gave us their translation of last night's Argentine paper. This is even worse that Pérez de Cuéllar and de Soto led me to believe ... in particular, (a) the previously agreed language on pre-judgement has been omitted, (b) there is no reference to Councils as such, but only to “persons who are members of the population of British origin” who are to be appointed as advisors in equal numbers with Argentine residents in the Islands, (c) the provisions on freedom of movement are much worse... in short, the Argentines have reverted to the negotiating position they occupied at the very beginning of Pérez de Cuéllar's initiative.”

The proposal includes: (1) withdrawal from the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, (2) withdrawal to “normal bases of operation” within 30 days, (3) economic measures to be lifted from the date the agreement is signed, (4) supervision of withdrawal to be carried out by the UN, (5) the interim administration – (a) to be the respnsibility of the UN, (b) the administration to perform all functions (executive, legislative, judicial and security), (c) local judicial functions may be exercised in accordance with the legislation in effect on 1 April 1982, (d) the administration to appoint advisers, persons who are members of the population of British origin and Argentine residents in equal numbers, (d) the flags of the parties shall fly together with that of the UN, (e) during the interim administration communications to be kept open, including freedom of movement and equality of access with respect to residence, work and property, (f) freedom of access for Argentina's airline (LADE) and Argentine television, (g) the way of life of the locals to be respected. (6) negotiations to be completed by 31 December 1982 with a single option to extend to 30 June 1983 – and if the period expires without agreement, the General Assembly of the UN to determine the final agreement.

In a telephone conversation, Costa Mendez and Ros both assure Pérez de Cuéllar that their paper of the previous evening is not their final word, and that they remain “flexible.” On being informed of the position by the Secretary-General, the President of the Security Council, Ling Qing, calls an informal meeting for later in the day.

“All this activity prompted me to accelerate my programme for giving Pérez de Cuéllar our formal response to last night's Argentine paper. Pérez de Cuéllar proposed a working lunch.. At my private meeting with Pérez de Cuéllar before the lunch I asked him to formally convey to Ros that HM Government found the Argentine response totally unacceptable. The Argentine position had not changed in substance since the beginning of the negotiations. It was clear that there was no hope of reaching an agreement ..We therefore had to draw a line... I told Pérez de Cuéllar that we recognised that this would enable Ros to wrong-foot us by blaming us for the breakdown of negotiations but this was something that we would have to accept... he noted what what I said about drawing a line but he had to tell me that he intended to keep his options open..”

Secretary-General Pérez de Cuéllar speaks to both President Galtieri and PM Thatcher on the telephone.

Parsons notes; “Although Pérez de Cuéllar refuses to admit defeat and the (Security) Council is supporting him in this, I do not feel uncomfortable about our own position. First, following his telephone call with the Prime Minister, Pérez de Cuéllar will not consider that we have acted in bad faith in announcing to the House of Commons tomorrow that we regard the present round as having ended with the Argentine rejection of our proposals, Secondly, he will not accuse me of bad faith if HM forces land on the Falklands in the next few days. I made the deadline clear to him … it was therefore his choice, … that he should give his negotiating effort one last chance... We are going to need all the support we can get from our friends and allies in the days to come – I even took the exceptional step of brain-washing Mrs. Kirkpatrick this evening on the flexibility we had shown in the negotiations, as opposed to Argentine obduracy. Some of my Community partners are so untrustworthy that I will not brief them until Friday ..”

Haig tells Henderson that Jeanne Kirkpatrick had “urged” the Argentinians to accept the British plan.

Parsons reports on the consultations within the Security Council; “This evening's informal consultations .. went well. There was no disposition to move into a formal meeting nor any proposals for Presidential statements which would have caused us difficulty. The Secretary-General and I reported briefly on the stage reached. … In order to avoid provoking a wider debate, with the possible risk of a formal session tonight, I thought it better not to say explicitly that as far as we were concerned, the present round of negotiations had ended … I gave no-one any grounds to claim that we had accepted the various calls for restraint and moderation.”

During a period of unusually calm weather in the South Atlantic, ship-to-ship redistribution of men and supplies continues apace. a Sea King, in the process of transporting SAS troops to HMS Intrepid from Hermes, crashed into the sea while attempting to land on HMS Intrepid. Twenty-two men are killed and nine survived. The SAS lose 18 men in the crash, their highest number of casualties on one day since the Second World War. The Royal Signals lose one man and the RAF one man.

[lordroel]

Day 49 of the Falklands War, May 20th 1982

Just after midnight, Sir Anthony Parsons sends an urgent telegram to London; “.. the Secretary General has dropped an embarrassing bombshell .. he has now launched his own paper.. When we remonstrated with his staff that this move was inconsistent with the British position as I had described it as recently as lunchtime today.. they said he had been encouraged to make it by the Prime Ministers concluding remarks .. It looks therefore as though Pérez de Cuéllar, in his desperate desire not to sign off, has chosen to ignore the clarification of the Prime Minister's remarks which I gave him this evening. The paper is very cleverly drafted and is undoubtedly more favourable to us than to Argentina, but I fully realise that it has come too late ...”

Pérez de Cuéllar's aide memoire outlines four areas where he says that agreement must be reached – (a) certain aspects of the interim-Administration, (b) provision for the extension of the time for completion of negotiations and related duration of the interim-Administration, (c) certain aspects of mutual withdrawal of forces, and (d) the geographic area to be covered by the terms of the Interim Agreement. The proposal also includes: (1) inclusion of the Dependencies within the Interim Agreement, (2) references to UN General Assembly Resolutions, (3) the flags of the parties and the UN to fly over the Islands, (4) inconclusive arrangements to extend the UN administration if the target date is not met, (5) consideration of a relaxation of restrictions on residence and the acquisition of property.

Margaret Thatcher speaks to the House of Commons; “... On Monday of this week our ambassador to the United Nations handed to the Secretary-General our proposals for a peaceful settlement of the dispute. These proposals represented the limit to which the Government believe it was right to go. We made it clear to Senor Pérez de Cuéllar that we expected the Argentine Government to give us a very rapid response to them. By yesterday morning we had had a first indication of the Argentine reaction. It was not encouraging. By the evening we received their full response in writing. It was in effect a total rejection of the British proposals.

We have reached this very serious situation because the Argentines clearly decided at the outset of the negotiations that they would cling to the spoils of invasion and occupation by thwarting at every turn all the attempts that have been made to solve the conflict by peaceful means. Ever since 2 April they have responded to the efforts to find a negotiated solution with obduracy and delay, deception and bad faith…..

Since May 6th, when it became clear that the United States-Peruvian proposals were not acceptable to Argentina, the United Nations Secretary-General, Senor Pérez de Cuéllar, has been conducting negotiations with Britain and Argentina. Following several rounds of discussions, the United Kingdom representative at the United Nations was summoned to London for consultation last Sunday. On Monday Sir Anthony Parsons returned to New York and presented to the Secretary-General a draft interim agreement between Britain and Argentina which set out the British position in full. He made it clear that the text represented the furthest that Britain could go in the negotiations. Yesterday we received the Argentine Government's reply. It amounted to a rejection of our own proposals, and we have so informed the Secretary-General…. The proposals have been rejected. They are no longer on the table… ”

Secretary Haig telephones Ambassador Henderson to give his impressions of the Prime Ministers speech; “He thought we were “well-postured”. We had played things intelligently and efficiently.”

Foreign Secretary Pym telegrams Sir Anthony Parsons to tell him that the Secretary-General's “ideas” represent a “significant downwards from what was our absolute bottom line.” With regard to military plans, Parsons should; “.. emphasize, as has been constantly stated in Parliament, that our search for a negotiated settlement has not affected and cannot affect the pressures, including military, which we have been bringing to bear on the Argentines.”

Parsons speaks to Pérez de Cuéllar; “I said that we appreciated the positive aspects of the aide memoire, but it differed in important respects from out bottom line. .. Even if acceptable to both sides as a basis for negotiations it would take days if not weeks to know whether success could be achieved. I had emphasised the importance of our deadline. Pérez de Cuéllar interrupted to say that he knew the importance of our deadline. His idea had been to work today with the Argentines in order to see whether he could persuade them to prepare a comprehensive paper for presentation to us in place of their unsatisfactory document... In conclusion Pérez de Cuéllar said that he had not told the press that he had produced a plan, just confidential ideas which he hoped would assist the parties to reach a negotiated settlement. He had no intention of publishing these..”

Francis Pym instructs Embassies and Missions; “You should now carry out the instructions .. If asked about the UN Secretary-General's last-minute proposals, you should say that we have throughout warmly appreciated Sr. Pérez de Cuéllar's efforts. However, given the hardening of the Argentine position in their latest text, it was clear that further negotiations would be fruitless.”

President Belaunde of Peru announces that he has put forward new proposals to the British and Argentine Ambassadors. Belaunde states that he has been encouraged by a telephone call from Costa Mendez saying that the Argentine Government are urgently examining the Peruvian proposal. Described as a 'two document' proposal, it states; “ (1) Each Nation subscribes unilaterally to the latest proposal for an agreement presented to the Secretary-General of the United Nations; (2) The Secretary-General fulfills the clauses in which there are points of agreement, such as – (a) ceasefire; (b) mutual withdrawal of forces; (c) Administration of the Government of the Islands by the UN or by a contact group, formed of various countries, within a period which is agreed in the two proposals; (3) The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Pérez de Cuéllar, or the contact group, acceptable to both parties, which he will propose, will be responsible for organising and presiding over negotiations in pursuit of a permanent solution and for supervising the immediate withdrawal from the zone of conflict of the forces of both countries.”

Parsons reports; “The Secretary-General has spent the whole day waiting for an Argentine reaction to his aide memoire of 19 May. At 2345z this evening he had still not had one.”

The Secretary-General speaks to Ros to say that he has not received a reply from the Argentines and has no choice but to inform the President of the Security Council that he cannot continue his efforts. Ros replies that he has been unable to get any response from Buenos Aires.

Pérez de Cuéllar writes to the President of the Security Council; "... I felt the time for reaching agreement through negotiations that would restore peace in the South Atlantic was extremely short. It remains my view that substantial progress was achieved in the past two weeks towards a diplomatic solution, but I must now state that the necessary accommodations which were still needed to end the conflict have not been forthcoming. In these circumstances, I feel it my duty to inform you that, in my judgement, the efforts in which I have been engaged, with the support of the Council, do not offer the present prospect of bringing about an end to the crisis nor, indeed, of preventing the intensification of the conflict.”

HMS Glamorgan bombards targets on the south coast to give the impression that a 'softening-up' is taking place ahead of a landing south of Stanley.

To the north of West Falkland, Fearless, Intrepid and Yarmouth head towards San Carlos with Plymouth and Brilliant following.

Britain's Embassies and Missions throughout the world receive orders. “... carry out the instructions .. If asked about the UN Secretary-General's last-minute proposals, you should say that we have throughout warmly appreciated Sr. Pérez de Cuéllar's efforts. However, given the hardening of the Argentine position in their latest text, it was clear that further negotiations would be fruitless.”

At midnight in the Falklands; Britain's invasion force is in position.

Photo: HMS Cardiff waits in station to refuel from RFA Olna en route to the Falklands and war 1982

[lordroel]

Day 50 of the Falklands War, May 21st 1982

25 men from 3 Special Boat Service (SBS) attack Argentine positions on high ground to the north of San Carlos Water, supported by covering fire from HMS Antrim. Units of the Special Air Service attack positions to the south of the landing site, supported by HMS Ardent. An air attack from Hermes destroys a Chinook and a Puma on Mount Kent. British forces commence their landing on West Falkland at San Carlos.

On Ascension Island, Lieut.-Colonel Alfredo Astiz is asked whether he is prepared to see Swedish and French officials with regard to their investigations about missing nationals in Argentina. The ICRC refuse to be involved; “Unsurprisingly, neither the Argentine Government nor Astiz was prepared to agree to any sort of interrogation. Stockholm and Paris were both unhappy with this failure to move the issue forward and still demanded an opportunity to question him. The Swedish Foreign Minister appealed directly to Pym and offered his own interpretation of the Geneva Conventions. British legal advice still pointed to early repatriation... In the event he was repatriated.”

An assessment of the effect of economic sanctions is circulated to Ministers; “.. Externally, the most immediate impact has been the concern of international banking circles about Argentina's credit-worthiness. Argentina's total debt is US$34 billion, of which US$10 billion is short-term. Short-term credits are being rolled over, but longer term loans are not being replaced as they mature, and Argentina has not been able to raise any new loans since the invasion. The authorities have been obliged to introduce severe restrictions to prevent foreign currency outflows. There are now limits on imports and extensive controls on all foreign payments. .. Foreign currency reserves, which had fallen by US$400 million in March, fell a further US$500 million in April. Within Argentina , there has been a steady run on the banking system, as large number of people withdrew their deposits. At least 7 financial institutions have collapsed. Interest rates have risen sharply … The economy was already in recession before the invasion: this has got worse...”

In a press statement, the MoD announce; “The Task Force has landed a number of raiding parties on the Falkland Islands during the night. These raids are still in progress. Early indications are that they are achieving their objectives. Bombardment from ships in the Task Force continued in the vicinity of Port Stanley and other areas in East Falklands. Harriers from the task Force have mounted attacks in the Fox Bay area. All these activities have been directed against Argentine military targets including fuel and ammunition dumps and military stores. ..”

Following a Panamanian request that the Security Council meet to discuss the situation in the Falklands, an informal meeting is convened during the course of which Jeanne Kirkpatrick proposes that the Council meets later in closed session. This motion is defeated but, after much wrangling, it is decided that a formal meeting of the Council will take place at 2.30pm New York time.

On East Falkland, 2 Para move five miles inland to secure the bridgehead. A bombardment from HMS Ardent takes out aircraft at Goose Green. One Pucara manages to get airborne and reports the activity at San Carlos before being hit by an SAS Stinger. Argentina's command at Stanley send out reconnaissance aircraft to check San Carlos. Made aware of the British landing, Mendez reports back to Buenos Aires and Rio Grande.

Photo:  British forces start to land at San Carlos.



Art: Firing Rapiers over San Carlos Waters.



Photo: 3 landing craft from HMS Fearless, with Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade, head through rough seas for San Carlos.



An Argentine Blowpipe hits a Sea Harrier over Port Howard. Flt. Lieut. Jeffrey Glover ejects, injured, and is taken prisoner. 2 British helicopters are also lost.

Argentine aircraft arrive over San Carlos. The British frigate HMS Ardent is hit and set on fire in an air attack. 22 seamen lose their lives and the vessel is abandoned. HMS Argonaut, a frigate, is hit by two bombs, killing 2 seamen, although the bombs fail to explode. HMS Antrim, a County-class destroyer, is hit by Argentine bombs, which also fail to explode

Photo: HMS Yarmouth takes off the survivors of HMS Ardent in Falkland Sound.



Defence Secretary, John Nott, makes a statement; “Following the raids we announced earlier today, British forces have now established a firm bridgehead on the Falkland Islands. Royal Marine commandos and the Parachute Regiment are now ashore in substantial numbers, with artillery, air defence weapons and other heavy equipment already disembarked from our ships. .. our ships have come under heavy air attack – 5 have been damaged, 2 seriously. .. Our Harriers and missiles have destroyed 7 Mirage, 5 Sky Hawks and 2 Puccaras. 2 Argentine helicopters – a Chinook and a Puma have been destroyed on the ground. We have lost 2 of our small helicopters. Seven weeks after Argentine aggression, British forces are tonight firmly established back on the Falkland Islands.”

Pym informs his Ambassador in Lima; “Belaunde's new formula is of course very simplistic and offers no apparent means of bridging the very wide gap between our and the Argentine position. It is concerned with procedures rather than substance .. The essential first step is, as it has always been, an unequivocal Argentine 108 commitment to withdraw its forces .. If President Belaunde were able to exert his considerable influence with President Galtieri in order to bring this about, the prospect for a peaceful and negotiated settlement would be immediately transformed.”

In the formal meeting of the Security Council, the Secretary-General gives an account of his activities since the adoption of Resolution 502 and concludes by saying that efforts must continue to restore peace. Argentina accuses the British of “rigidity,” while Japan calls for a resumption of negotiations. Brazil calls for the full implementation of Resolution 502. Australia says that Argentina began the crisis and is responsible for the consequences of its own recklessness. The debate is adjourned until the 22nd.

President Galtieri responds to an initiative sent him by President Turbay of Colombia; “ I value and appreciate every effort directed towards a peaceful solution of the conflict of the Falklands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Our Government has employed its maximum effort to help the steps being taken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We have shown that we are flexible and reasonable. We have abstained from using force and we have only done so in reply to Great Britain's military aggression. We are witnessing today a new and serious phase of this armed aggression. The intransigent attitude of the Government of Great Britain which, to restore a colonial, anachronistic and illegal situation, resorts to violent means, shows itself once again as an immovable obstacle to all diplomatic solutions, .. to negotiate and attack at the same time thus creating a serious risk for world peace. In the face of this picture of aggression and intransigence we are comforted by regional solidarity expressed in concrete steps taken by a Latin America which has taken the Argentine cause as her own. Our region, Mr. President, will be strengthened by this situation and enriched in its firm will to defend the values of democracy and freedom which have always characterized it. The rejection of colonialism, as the 1948 Bogota declaration maintained, will identify our America with her most cherished ideals, with her raison d'etre. Even today when our mother country is attacked, we continue to pay attention to all initiatives which contribute to a peaceful solution to the conflict. That is why the efforts made by friendly countries will find in us the greatest comprehension and will to negotiate.”

By the end of the day 2,400 British troops have landed on East Falkland and are dug in; “the day had been testing for both sides.... By no means all the (Argentine) sorties even got to the Falklands, but some 45 did. Of these ten were lost (five Daggers, three A4Q's and two A4Cs), and a number of others were caught by small arms fire and out of action until they could be repaired. Two Pucaras had also been lost. While conserving itself for this battle, the Argentine Air Force did not appear to have planned for it. In particular they had come without their own escorts and had not identified the most important targets, that is the amphibious ships, but instead attacked escorts as they came across them. In addition, although they were well aware of the problem they had not addressed the more technical issue of bomb fusing.”

CIA, Top Secret National Intelligence Daily Cable

In a report prepared four days before the first land battle of the Falklands war at Goose Green, U.S. military officials outline how the British plan to press forward in the war towards surrender.

"While the main British force is moving toward Stanley, small units probably will raid Argentine positions on both Easy and West Falkland to destroy Argentine aircraft, ammunition, and supplies…Difficult terrain and poor weather may slow the British advance from Darwin/Goose Green to Stanley. British forces on the move will be at high risk from Argentine aircraft, and Harriers from the British aircraft carriers or possibly from the field at San Carlos will have to provide protection." [….]

"Prime Minister Thatcher could call early elections in the event of success, but a serious military setback or stalemate would probably result in her replacement."

[lordroel]

Day 51 of the Falklands War, May 22nd 1982

From the Vatican, Pope John Paul II, expresses his anguish and appeals for; “ … an immediate ceasefire that will open the way to a peaceful settlement of the dispute.”

In London, an MoD spokesman amends the previous day's statement; “Further reports on yesterday's operations in the Falklands up-date Argentine aircraft losses as follows: 9 Mirages, 5 Skyhawks, 2 Pucaras and 4 helicopters. We have not received final casualty reports for yesterday's operations. Initial reports indicate British casualties of 27 wounded, 2 missing and 3 dead. The two ships reported yesterday as being seriously damaged were hit by bombs in the series of air attack launched against our forces. The other three ships remain operational.”

John Nott makes a statement; “This morning the Union Jack is once again flying on the Falkland Islands... A major bridgehead has been established in the area of San Carlos on East Falkland. The major amphibious landing yesterday was a complete success. Tactical surprise was achieved and our troops landed safely with almost no interference from Argentine forces. We are now ashore on British sovereign territory in considerable force and have three Royal Marine Commandos and two Battalions of the Parachute Regiment firmly in place with their supporting arms including artillery and rapier and other air defence weapons. … To compliment the landings there were raids yesterday in other parts of East and West Falklands. In one of these Royal Marines captured an Argentine position on Fanning Head overlooking Falkland Sound. In another the airfield at Goose Green, and Argentine positions close by, were raided by our forces. Carrier based RAF Harriers launched attacks in the course of the morning against Argentine installations at Port Stanley airfield and the helicopters on the ground nearby, as well as military installations at Fox Bay. During these operations we lost two Gazelle helicopters, and one RAF Harrier is missing. The Argentine navy has so far made no attempt to intervene.. The Argentine force has, as expected, launched heavy raids on our ships... We are back on the Falkland Islands, and back in strength. We intend to ensure that aggression does not pay“

Two Harriers attack an Argentine patrol boat, Rio Iguazu, in Choiseul Sound. The vessel is beached and abandoned. Two Argentine Puma helicopters and their escorting Agusta A109 are fired on by Sea Harriers. One helicopter is shot down while the other two land. The Agusta A109 is set alight by gunfire. Near the San Carlos beachhead, a field hospital is established at Ajax Bay.

Photo: The Ajax Bay Hospital was set up in 24 hours in an old farm outhouse



Peruvian President Belaunde announces that the Argentines have accepted “in principle” the latest Peruvian ideas albeit with certain reservations; “ .. which President Belaunde thought might not be insuperable. In particular, President Belaunde said that Galtieri had shown himself to be receptive to the idea of an “equidistant” withdrawal of forces. The Argentines feel that 150 miles is too near because their own bases are further away. … The president also said that the Argentines are not opposed to a UN Group governing the Islands for six months or even one year during which negotiations could take place. If at the end of this period there was no agreement, the Argentines would propose to return the problem to the United Nations. .. he understood that Costa Mendez was on his way to the UN, and that he thought it was therefore important that you should be informed straight away of the nature of Galtieri's response...”

Uruguay agrees that casualties may be repatriated via Montevideo.


Two Dagger aircraft and three A4Bs attack British ships at San Carlos. No vessels are hit or damaged. One Sea Harrier explodes shortly after takeoff. Bad weather prevents further Argentine air attacks.

In New York, Parsons reviews tactics in the Security Council; “We have already got Canada and New Zealand on board, they will probably speak today, thus to some extent offsetting the torrent of Latin American rhetoric which is in store for us ( .. it will bore the Council to death). We are working on the Caribbeans, Americans and members of the Community... Abdulah (Trinidad) is on our side but gutless. … The new Barbadian Ambassador is a man of sterner stuff and I have some hopes of him. Our African friends – Zambia, Botswana, Kenya etc. are cheering us vigorously from the pavilion but are reluctant to go to the wicket. … The US and France are bound to make substantive comments at some stage but, given the personal qualities of Mrs Kirkpatrick and de Nanteuil, I suspect that the Guyanian statement will be more helpful. From the point of view of getting out Third World Commonwealth speakers, it might be worth your seeing if Ramphal would help ..”

When the Security Council reconvenes; Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela, the Soviet Union, Mexico, Cuba, Bolivia, Panama, Canada, Guatemala and the United States contribute their views before the meeting is again adjourned; “Of the Latins the Venezuelan and Panamanian Foreign ministers were abusive; the others made reasonably moderate statements, notably Guatemala. The Soviet Union was hostile but not abusive. Canada was excellent. The US statement was a little too even-handed. Mrs Kirkpatrick made small but important changes to the advance text.”

Secretary Haig sees Ambassador Henderson privately to say that the US Government is increasingly concerned at the consequences for US interests in the continuing battle over the Falkland islands.

[lordroel]

Day 52 of the Falklands War, May 23rd 1982

In the South Atlantic, clearing weather allows Argentina's Air Force to return. At around midday, local time, HMS Antelope is attacked by A4Bs coming from the south. Hit by two bombs, neither of which explode, the vessel is nevertheless set on fire when an attempt is made to defuse them. One of the attacking Argentine planes strikes Antelope's mainmast and crashes. A second wave of A4Qs fails to hit any of the British ships.

Photo: HMS Antelope after being bombed, showing the mast bent in half


HMS Antelope is abandoned. Work continues to remove the bomb on HMS Argonaut.

The MoD reports; “.. the Argentine Air Force launched a number of raids on ships of the Task Force in San Carlos waters. The aircraft were engaged by missiles from surface vessels, shore based Rapier and by Sea Harriers. Five Mirage and one Skyhawk are known to have been shot down; a further one Mirage and two Skyhawks were probably shot down. During these attacks one of our frigates sustained some damage. No reports on the extent of the damage have been received, nor have we any indication of casualties. We have had no reports of other damage to British ships or aircraft. In a separate incident earlier, Sea harriers from the Task Force on routine patrol saw two Argentine Puma helicopters and one Bell helicopter in Falkland Sound .. The Harriers attacked and one Puma exploded; the Bell helicopter landed but was seen to be on fire and the second Puma may have been damaged.”

From Buenos Aires, President Galtieri responds to the Pope's 'anguish' of the previous day by asserting that Argentina is prepared to accept a cease-fire and negotiate; “the Argentine radio says that the British are ready to surrender, having now been surrounded by Argentine soldiers, but then says their planes find them difficult to locate. All very confusing and conflicting.”

In New York, the Security Council reconvenes; hearing thirteen speakers before adjourning again until the 24th . Parsons reports that support for the UK is “stretching very thin” and that a view is developing of the crisis bringing about a, “.. kind of cultural confrontation between Latin America and Western Europe/North America.

Photo: A Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk from IV Brigada Aérea during the Falklands War at Mendoza-El Plumerillo Air Base. Note the silhouette of a British Type 42 destroyer painted on the aircraft. However, the only Type 42 destroyer, HMS Coventry (D118), was sunk the day after this photo was taken.

[lordroel]

Day 53 of the Falklands War, May 24th 1982

Late morning in the Falklands, five Argentine Skyhawks fly in over San Carlos Water. RFA Sir Galahad, Sir Lancelot and Sir Bedivere are hit in the attack. Fires break out on Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot although the bombs fail to explode. The bomb striking Sir Bedivere passes through the ship. In a second attack by four Daggers Sir Lancelot is hit for a second time but this bomb bounces off. Argentine cannon fire hits Fearless and Sir Galahad. British Sea Harriers shoot down 3 Daggers with Sidewinder missiles. Throughout the attacks the other vessels continue landing stores, equipment and men.

The MoD announce that HMS Antelope has sunk.

Photo: HMS Antelope's magazines exploding.



Photo: The bow and stern sections of HMS Antelope visible after she was sank by Argentine air attack a day earlier.



In London, Defence Secretary Nott makes a statement in Parliament; “On the night of Thursday 20 May, Her Majesty's forces re-established a secure base on the Falkland Islands and the Union Flag is today flying over the settlement of San Carlos in East Falkland—where it will remain. The whole House will have been delighted to see the expressions of delight on the faces of the islanders and their children—published widely yesterday. The amphibious landing was the culmination of a long period of planning by the force commander and of preparation by the Royal Marine commandos, members of the Parachute Regiment and supporting arms during their six weeks voyage into the South Atlantic. Whilst they sailed south, the Government worked unremittingly to persuade Argentina to withdraw peacefully and honourably from the Falkland Islands. But the Government met only with Argentine intransigence.

Last week it became clear that the only possible course left open to us was the repossession of the Falkland Islands by military means. In this the Government have been encouraged—as I think has the country as a whole—that Her Majesty's Opposition and the other main political parties in the House have supported us. Certainly I believe that our Service men have been greatly encouraged by the support that they have received from right hon. and hon. Members of this House... We all feel deeply too for the constant concern and worry of the families and friends of our Service men. They are showing great patience and understanding in very difficult circumstances. Names of casualties will not be released until the next of kin have been informed, although to counter the false propaganda coming out of Argentina we have had to give some general information on the progress of military action as soon as it is confirmed.

Our forces are now established on the Falkland Islands with all the necessary supplies, together with their heavy equipment and air defence missiles. They have mobility with a large number of helicopters at their disposal—and their spirits are high. But I must emphasise that our men still face formidable problems in difficult terrain with a hostile climate. We must expect fresh attacks upon them, and there can be no question of pressing the force commander to move forward prematurely—the judgement about the next tactical moves must be his—and his alone. But, one thing is certain: the days of the occupying Argentine garrison are numbered and it will not be long before the Falkland Islanders once again have their democratic rights restored.”

Economic sanctions imposed by the European Community against Argentina are extended for an unspecified period.

British aircraft attack Stanley airfield shortly after dawn, damaging a helicopter and a Pucara and causing some damage to the runway.

In Argentina, Conviccion, tells its readers; “The marines, immobilized at San Carlos, await their Dunkirk. As Argentine troops concentrate to throw them into the sea, the British continue in the little beachhead without resupply.” Panama's press report their Foreign Minister describing Margaret Thatcher as; “Hitler with skirts.”

The Washington Post reports; “Secretary of State Alexander Haig suggests that Britain's successful landings on the Falklands – plus the sacrifices sustained by both sides – may make enough of a difference to permit negotiations to resume. Surely he is right. In its bridgehead and in its evident capacity to sustain operations ashore, Britain has something real to convert into political coin. Argentina may hope to raise the cost to the British and limit their military gains, but it cannot expect to boot them off the Islands again. The 40 isolated marines it swept up on April 2 are one thing, the 5,000 troops ashore, with their fleet protection, are quite another.”

In New York, the Security Council, debate continues; “Maina (Kenya) made an admirably robust statement which was an effective antidote to all the Latins have been saying about a cultural confrontation between the West and Latin America. He said that the Breach of the Peace had started with Argentina's aggression on 2 April. That was a separate question from the rights and wrongs of Argentina's claims to sovereignty. Some of those who “felt obliged” to support Argentina's case on sovereignty had tried to treat the two problems as one. …

The Decolonisation argument was irrelevant. All of North and South America had been colonised in the 18th and 19th centuries. .. That was a fact of the world's unfortunate past. This was not a colonial issue: Argentina was engaged in the purely territorial claim, in total disregard of the inhabitants of the Islands. The Argentine claim could not be settled at their expense: their interests were paramount. If the principle of decolonisation was distorted to redistribute peoples, the United Nations would be in real trouble. ...

Ling Qing (China) speaking in his national capacity, said that the failure of the SecretaryGeneral’s efforts and the arrival of British forces had brought about an escalation which China deeply deplored. ... There should be an immediate ceasefire and resumption of negotiations. The substantive problem was a legacy of colonialism..”

In Washington, Haig expresses his fears to Britain's Ambassador; “.. Haig said that the US Government, by coming down on the British side, had already greatly jeopardised US interests in Latin America. What was at stake in the future was enormous. It was not simply a question of the economic sacrifices involved but of the enormous increase in Soviet and communist influence. Haig's problem therefore was somehow to avoid a resolution under the Rio Treaty later this week that would isolate the USA still further from the rest of the American hemisphere. ... Haig then suggested the sort of plan which I have already hinted to you might be on his mind: ceasefire and withdrawal, US/Brazilian interim administration and discussions without prejudice regarding the future – ideas that I told Haig have gone down in London like a lead balloon. .. ”

On receiving Henderson's telegram, Pym comments; “It is disconcerting that Haig should be so volatile. Haig was urging us only a few days ago to take military action...”

Brazil suggests a draft Resolution to the President of the Council; .. the Security Council of the United Nations can no longer delay taking firm and decisive action to restore international peace and security. .. there is no alternative but that the Security Council must take a decision to put an immediate end to the military confrontation and to establish the bases for a permanent settlement of the problem. The Brazilian Government wish to submit .. the following points which .. can be the basis for a Council Resolution that will ensure a just and honourable peace without winners or losers.”

Brazil's “points” include: (1) an immediate cessation of hostilities, (2) simultaneous withdrawal to equal distances, (3) withdrawal to be complete within 21 days, (4) a UN administration which will consult the “representatives of the inhabitants,” (5) a Committee made up of both Britain and Argentina plus four other States with a mandate to conduct negotiations.

Parsons comments to the FCO; “We have told the Brazilians here that the time for such arrangements is now past and that there could be no question of our allowing a Resolution on these lines to be adopted.”

Ireland's Ambassador Dorr, also tables a draft Resolution which, inter alia, calls for a suspension of hostilities for 72 hours; “.. the Non-Aligned members (excluding Panama) were annoyed with Dorr for going ahead and tabling a draft which he and everyone else knew that we would veto. The three Africans, Jordan and Guyana were desperately anxious to avoid a deadlock in the Security Council which could be followed by a major row generated by the Latin Americans in an emergency session of the General Assembly. This would only polarise relations between the regions, benefit the radicals and damage any prospect there might be of a peaceful outcome to the present crisis...”

Representatives from Panama and Japan also prepare draft texts. The Non-Aligned Movement submits a proposal for an amended version of the Irish draft Resolution while the Council meeting is adjourned until the 25th. Parsons seeks instructions from London.

In an interview with the 'Panorama' news team in New York, Costa Mendez asserts – (a) that Argentina would defend the Falklands as long as there is “one Argentine alive in either the continent or in the Islands,” (b) he was still looking for a peaceful solution; they had been seeking one for 17 years in the UN. .. he considered the invasion to be part of that search for a peaceful settlement, (c) Argentina had fully accepted Resolution 502 from the beginning but they had not withdrawn because the UK sent 40 warships, (d) 502 did not authorise the UK to impose a solution on Argentina, (e) Argentina was willing to make any concession except sovereignty.

Uruguay's Foreign Minister condemns the British attack on Argentina, calls for a ceasefire and attacks the United States for its support for, “colonial policies of confrontation.”

Argentina seeks Chilean support for an OAS draft Resolution condemning British aggression; calling for a cessation of hostilities with a return to 'natural' bases; a resumption of UN negotiations and the adoption by OAS States of measures to discourage the UK and assist Argentina. The Chilean Foreign Ministry inform the British Embassy that they will vote against each point except that calling for a resumption of negotiations.

Information is received from Caracas that the Venezuelan Government is attempting to persuade all Latin American countries to withdraw their Ambassadors from the UK. In Lima, President Belaunde is contacted by Costa Mendez and told that the Argentines have no objection to a cease-fire without the withdrawal of British forces from their, “present positions.”

During the night, an SAS reconnaissance team arrive on Mount Kent to discover it deserted. 

[lordroel]

Day 54 of the Falklands War, May 25th 1982

Portugal grants permission for Nimrod refuelling at its Lajes air base in the Azores while New Zealand's offer of a frigate, HMNZS Canterbury, is gratefully accepted by PM Thatcher. An additional Blowpipe battery is deployed to the South Atlantic from British forces in Germany

PM Margaret Thatcher responds to President Turbay's initiative of the 21st; “If you, Mr. President, can bring home to the Argentine Government not only the extent of our determination to achieve a just solution to this crisis, but also the imperative need to withdraw their forces from the Falkland Islands in accordance with Security Council Resolution 502, you would be making a contribution to the peace of South America and of the World which it would be hard to exaggerate.”

An Argentine A4B is shot down by a Sea Dart missile fired from HMS Coventry which is sailing outside Falklands Sound with HMS Broadsword as a 42/22 defensive combination. A little later two A4Cs are brought down by fire from HMS Yarmouth and Coventry.

Around 1400 Falklands time, HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword are attacked by Argentine Skyhawks. HMS Broadsword is hit first but the bomb fails to explode. A second wave attacks HMS Coventry which is hit by 3 bombs, two of which explode. Coventry sinks with the loss of 19 lives.

Photo: HMS Coventry wracked by internal explosions



Photo: HMS Coventry listing with life rafts in the water nearby



Further away, two Argentine Super Etendards armed with Exocet missiles attack the carrier group. Two missiles are fired and the aircraft immediately break off while the escorting ships fire chaff to distract the missiles; “The two missiles veered towards the chaff pattern laid by Ambuscade. Having flown through or under chaff and not been triggered, the homing head on Exocet tends to look to its left for another target and that is where both missiles found Atlantic Conveyor. The ship had no defenses and was caught in the starboard quarter.”

Photo: Atlantic Conveyor burning



With Atlantic Conveyor full of hazardous cargo, and with an uncontrollable fire, the decisions is made to abandon her with the loss of 12 lives. 3 Chinook and 6 Wessex helicopters, with tents for 4,500 men, burn; “While the loss of the Atlantic Conveyor complicated British plans, it was not quite the result Argentina had intended. They had been after the carriers and had now used up two Exocets in failing to do so. Moreover only one AM39 Exocet remained and efforts to obtain more from abroad had so far been unavailing... That evening the Argentine commanders accepted that their battle must now move on to the next phase.”

Margaret Thatcher responds to President Turbay's initiative of the 21st; “ … If you, Mr. President, can bring home to the Argentine Government not only the extent of our determination to achieve a just solution to this crisis, but also the imperative need to withdraw their forces from the Falkland Islands in accordance with Security Council Resolution 502, you would be making a contribution to the peace of South America and of the World which it would be hard to exaggerate.”

At the reconvened Security Council meeting in New York, Foreign Ministers representing Argentina, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela circulate a 'Declaration.' “We confirm the rejection by Latin America of the United Kingdom's military offensive against the South American continent …

We strongly protest against the British decision, officially communicated to the Government of Uruguay, to the effect that the United Kingdom has decided to extend its naval and air military action to the River Plate. This deplorable decision, in addition to violating general international law and the River Plate Treaty, carries the British aggression into the very heart of the continent.. This directly affects the integrity and security of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, while at the same time aggravating and spreading the conflict which has resulted from the United Kingdom's military adventure …

We reject with righteous indignation the decision taken by the European Economic Community, with the honorable exception of Ireland and Italy, extending indefinitely the economic aggression which, under the pretext of 'sanctions,' has been imposed on Argentina. This act, which is offensive to the whole of Latin America, constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security and presages the generalization of a conflict which, day by day, is assuming the character of an intercontinental confrontation. We note with alarm that, although a number of weeks have elapsed since the beginning of the British fleet's armed attack on the Argentine Republic, the Security Council has taken no action … This concern is seriously increased by the fact that, after four days of debate in the Council, during which both the fighting and the loss of life have intensified, it has not proved possible to respond to the outcry of mankind, which demands an unconditional ceasefire ...”

Costa Mendez attacks the UK for, “unleashing war” in the South Atlantic and rejects the accusation that it had been Argentina which had been the first to use force; “... It was the UK which had used force to occupy the Islands in 1833. Colonialism was an act of force, permanent aggression and a crime: that was the true explanation of current events. It was not for the United Kingdom, the colonial power par-excellence, to give lectures on self-determination. The UK had abstained when the General Assembly adopted Resolution 1514, the Magna Carta of decolonisation. … Self-determination for the Malvinas was a joke...”

Sir Anthony Parsons responds to the verbal attacks; “The Foreign Minister referred at length to self-determination.. It is true that we took the position in the 1960's that self-determination was a principle and not a right. However, in 1966 the two international Covenants on economic, social and cultural rights and on civil and political rights were adopted....

The United Kingdom has ratified both these Covenants, which have entered into force. Furthermore, in 1970, the General Assembly adopted by consensus – that is, with the United Kingdom joining in the consensus – the Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-Operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. ..

Not only has my country endorsed the right to self-determination in the sense of the Charter, the Covenants and the Friendly Relations Declaration, but we have gone a great deal further to disprove the allegation that we are the colonial power par-excellence. Since General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) was adopted .. we have brought to sovereign independence and membership of this organisation no less that 28 States. We are proud of our record...”

In Montevideo, Uruguay's President Alvarez denies rumours that the British are blockading the Rio de la Plata.

Francis Pym telegrams Parsons, “... our position now is that while we remain willing to agree to a ceasefire if Argentina clearly and irrevocably commits herself to very early and total withdrawal of her forces, we are not prepared to accept any other conditions. ... You should vote against the Irish draft Resolution if it is put to the vote as it stands ...”

From Washington, Ambassador Henderson informs London; “I went over the ground with Eagleburger this morning. He assured me that instructions had been sent to Mrs Kirkpatrick that if the Irish Resolution came to a vote in its present form the United States should veto it..”

Parsons responds to Pym; “Through the morning and at the Security Council lunch, I have negotiated firmly on the Irish draft as revised by the Non-Aligned Movement, .. we have carried almost all our points... We have a clear reaffirmation of 502.. I am under very strong pressure to agree this evening so that we can get out of the Council before this fragile near-agreement breaks down. ..

I therefore recommend that I should be instructed to accept this with a suitable explanation of vote, after the vote... Guyana was first class, as was Chile given its circumstances. The other Non-Aligned were not at all bad. Netherlands was as unhelpful as the other Europeans (except Belgium) have been, but Italy was a bit more robust. ...

The Argentines had the better of the first two days, with a flood of Latin rhetoric, but by the end the general feeling, I think, was that we had won quite handsomely on points. For this we should be especially grateful to Kenya, Guyana and Belgium – the old Commonwealth support for us was taken for granted.”

Parsons informs the Council that Britain is ready to vote in favour of the draft initially proposed by Ireland, as amended by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). He emphasises that; “.. an Argentine withdrawal must now be totally unconditional and not linked to any parallel British withdrawal.”

Costa Mendez asks for time to consider the measure and a vote is deferred until the 26th.

Alexander Haig expresses his “thoughts” to Francis Pym; “... I see major advantages in an effort by you to put forward terms of a just and reasonable settlement as soon as you are sure that you can and will succeed militarily. …” NBC television, Reuters and Associated Press all carry news reports that Secretary Haig has called on the British Government not to “crush” the Argentines in the Falklands, but to “think carefully.” The reports suggest that Argentina would seek a scapegoat, and that scapegoat would be the United States. Haig is said to be “upset” by the leak and to consider it, “damaging.”

From London, the FCO instruct all Ambassadors and Missions in NAM countries to speak to their counterparts and ensure that in the meeting scheduled for the 31st emphasis is laid upon the original aggression by Argentina and their failure to comply with SCR 502.

HMS Glamorgan bombards targets around Stanley.

[lordroel]

Day 55 of the Falklands War, May 26th 1982

US Ambassador, Jeanne Kirkpatrick, messages the State Department from the UN regarding a meeting with Argentine Air Force General Jose Miret; “According to Gen. Miret the military situation was developing favorably for Argentina. Just that morning 21 Argentinian warplanes had attacked British ships and had inflicted severe damage to the Canberra troop carrier. Yesterday they had sunk a frigate. British were not accurately portraying their losses and he was sceptical that their San Carlos beachhead was as well established as they claimed. Although presently the military situation favored Argentina, Argentina was aware that ultimately Britain would prevail because Argentina could not expect to defeat a world power. Argentina naturally did not want to lose but neither did it find comfort in the thought of winning in a manner that would humiliate Britain. …

Britain's expansion of the war zone to include the River Plate estuary necessarily dragged Uruguay and probably Brazil into the conflict. Uruguayan Foreign Minister was coming to New York to raise the issue. As the conflict expands and its intensity increases, it will become increasingly difficult to foresee its consequences or to find an acceptable solution.

Without an American restraining influence, Britain will insist on pursuing its military objectives until the bitter end. ..

In Bonn, Rheinishe Post asserts that Germany's support for the UK is, “grudging and full of reservations stemming from incomprehension at many aspects of Mrs. Thatcher's Falklands strategy,” and that Germany will not go, “through thick and thin,” with Britain.

In London, John Nott makes a statement to Parliament “During the past seven weeks the Royal Navy has assembled, organised and despatched over 100 ships, involving over 25,000 men and women, 8,000 miles away to the other end of the world. The Task Force has recaptured South Georgia and successfully accomplished a hazardous amphibious landing of around 5,000 men without a single fatal land casualty. The morale of our forces is high. …

Our forces on the ground are now poised to begin their thrust upon Port Stanley; behind them are another 3,000 men of 5 Brigade, whilst reinforcements and resupply are virtually denied to the Argentine garrison on the island. Generally the military objective to repossess the Falkland Islands has gone forward exactly as we planned it. ..”

Francis Pym is informed that; “President Turbay had spoken to the Presidents of Brazil and Peru, who had agreed to put forward ideas on an informal basis .. In the absence of any diplomatic activity to resolve the crisis, there would be strong pressures at the Rio Treaty meeting on 27 May to take radical positions against the UK. What was needed was time to allow pressures to be brought to bear on Argentina to reach an agreement which the UK could accept. .. The three Governments therefore wished to know whether we could consider agreement to a suspension of military operations for 5 days ..” Pym politely says “No.”

Off South Georgia, 3,000 men are transferred from QE2 to Canberra, Stromness and Norland.

On the Falklands, C Company, 2 Para, set up a forward base at Camilla Creek House.

Photo: Gazelle supplying 2 PARA at Camilla Creek House.



In Mexico, Britain's Ambassador Tickell updates President Portillo before reporting to London; “(Portillo) asked me to convey his warm thanks to the Prime Minister. He deplored the loss of life and waste of resources involved in the conflict. He did not doubt our capacity to recover the Islands and indicated that he hoped we would not be too long about it...”

In Washington, Haig updates President Reagan; “Our latest exchanges with the British confirm that they are currently not of a mind to work toward a negotiated settlement which gives anything at all to the Argentines before they retake the Islands. …

The two sides could not be further apart. The Secretary General has asked us to put pressure on the British to accept mutual withdrawal, warning that he will announce Thursday evening that a ceasefire is not possible if the British have not moderated their position... Given the mood in London, American pressure would be in vain; … There is virtually no hope of productive negotiations before the British complete their re-occupation of the Islands. Even then, the British will be reluctant to offer anything to the Argentines. … they will not be flexible, at least in the short term, in the flush of victory. ”

Meanwhile, in New York, the Security Council's debate continues; “Spain and Togo listed the cessation of hostilities, negotiation and peace as the priorities of the Council’s action, as did several other speakers who urged the Council to call for an immediate ceasefire. Jordan asserted that the Council should not resign itself to the role of onlooker while blood was being shed, and Brazil said the Council was duty bound to prevent a worsening of the situation. Greece said the Council’s prestige would be enhanced if it unequivocally condemned all invasions and breaches of the Charter provisions. Colombia asserted that the United Nations would emerge greatly weakened if it failed to enforce international law and maintenance of international peace and security, while the United States considered that the Organization had functioned in the crisis in the manner foreseen by its founders and its Charter. … Several countries, among them Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela, held the United Kingdom responsible for blocking the negotiating efforts. China said the negotiations had broken down due to a tough stand taken by the party with superior military strength. Bolivia asserted that any peace effort would be doomed to failure as long as the United Kingdom persisted in its equivocal stand. Panama and the USSR said the United Kingdom had resorted to the language of ultimatums and virtually broken off negotiations by resorting to the use of force. Antigua and Barbuda believed the United Kingdom had made genuine attempts to reach a negotiated settlement.

The United States said the United Kingdom had indicated its willingness to consider, but Argentina had rejected or chosen not to consider, first the United States proposal and subsequently the Peruvian peace plan, both based on the Council’s 3 April resolution. New Zealand said it was Argentina’s obduracy and rigidity that had frustrated and blocked the Secretary-General’s efforts just when it looked as if an agreement was within reach. …

Germany, Guyana, Jordan, Uganda and Zaire believed the mandate should be based on the Council’s 3 April resolution. … Australia said Argentina’s invocation of paragraph 1 of the 3 April resolution in accusing the United Kingdom of hostile action was a perverted reading of that text, as that paragraph, it said, was directed to the state of armed conflict caused by the Argentine seizure of the Falklands.... the majority of Latin American countries, along with China, Equatorial Guinea, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Poland, the USSR, Yugoslavia and Zaire, supported Argentina’s territorial claim, while endorsing efforts to find a peaceful solution to the dispute. El Salvador asserted that Argentina’s occupation of the Islands was in accordance with its lawful title to them, which led Panama to state that there had been no breach of peace on 3 April, when Argentina recovered the Islands.

Belgium and Kenya said territorial claims should not be allowed to override the interests of peoples in choosing democratically their own destinies. Australia considered that Argentina had been insistent on loaded arrangements in the Falklands which, if accepted, would lead to conceding its demand of sovereignty and ignoring the rights of the Falklanders; if Argentina’s aggression was allowed to persist, it would itself amount to colonialism. In a similar vein, Kenya said Argentina could not claim any right to impose its own form of colonialism on the Islands’ inhabitants. New Zealand added that the two aggrieved parties in the crisis were the United Kingdom and the people of the Falklands. In contrast, Panama called it illogical to talk of the right to self-determination- the right of the oppressed-in the Malvinas case, when the inhabitants of the Islands were dependents of a British colonial company; ..

Colombia, noting that the United Kingdom’s policy of decolonization had allowed the independence of many countries by means of negotiations, believed it reasonable to expect that the Malvinas case could also be solved in that manner. Zaire also noted the United Kingdom’s past record of decolonization, ....

The Netherlands felt that Argentina’s resort to force could not be justified in terms of international law. Antigua and Barbuda said that, as a small island State dependent for its security on the United Nations, it had to deplore Argentina’s illegal use of force in seizing the Falklands in defiance of the Council. In a similar vein, Guyana rejected the attitude of those which held aloft the action of 2 April as an example to be emulated, and said aggression should not be rewarded.”

Argentina's Costa Mendez indicates that Buenos Aires can accept the draft-Resolution as amended. Put to a vote, the Security Council adopt the amended Resolution.

Security Council Resolution 505 -

Reaffirming its resolution 502 (1982), Noting with the deepest concern that the situation in the region of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) has seriously deteriorated,

Having heard the statement made by the Secretary-General at its 2360th meeting, on 21 May 1982, as well as the statements made in the debate by the representatives of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Concerned to achieve, as a matter of the greatest urgency, a cessation of hostilities and an end to the present conflict between the armed forces of Argentina and the United Kingdom,

1. Expresses appreciation to the Secretary-General for the efforts that he has already made to bring about an agreement between the parties, to ensure the implementation of resolution 502 (1982), and thereby to restore peace to the region;

2. Requests the Secretary-General, on the basis of the present resolution, to undertake a renewed mission of good offices, bearing in mind resolution 502 (1982) and the approach outlined in his statement of 21 May 1982;

3. Urges the parties to the conflict to co-operate fully with the Secretary-General in his mission with a view to ending the present hostilities in and around the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas);

4. Requests the Secretary-General to enter into contact immediately with the parties with a view to negotiating mutually acceptable terms for a cease-fire, including, if necessary, arrangements for the dispatch of United Nations observers to monitor compliance with the terms of the ceasefire;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit an interim report to the Security Council as soon as possible and, in any case, not later than seven days after the adoption of the present resolution."

In exercise of a right of reply, Sir Anthony Parsons speaks to the Council; “My delegation voted in favour of the Resolution just adopted .. We did so because it contains a clear reaffirmation of SCR 502. It registers beyond doubt that the Secretary-General's efforts have been, and will be, concentrated on ensuring the implementation of SCR 502. This is the key to the return of peace to the region...

In particular, this key lies in the second operative paragraph of SCR 502, namely the unconditional demand for the immediate withdrawal of all Argentine forces from the Falkland Islands. I must make clear, so that there is no misunderstanding, that for our part the only acceptable condition for a ceasefire is that it should be unequivocally linked to an immediate commencement of Argentine withdrawal. The history of the last two months has done nothing to create British confidence in the Government of Argentina …

Hence a simple verbal agreement by Argentina to withdraw its forces would not be sufficient for a ceasefire. Mr. President the Council should also be quite clear on another point. The situation has changed … we are talking about Argentine withdrawal.

We cannot now accept that Argentine withdrawal be linked in any way to parallel British withdrawal.”

In a telegram to London, Parsons sums up the day's proceedings; “We owe a lot to the old Commonwealth, Kenya, Guyana and Belgium for their robust support, slightly less to the FRG (Germany), little or nothing to the rest of our partners who spoke, including France: the US statement was too even handed for our liking. However, to a greater or lesser extent, all these statements offset the Latin American barrage …

The fact that we emerged without having to veto, which seemed most unlikely at the outset, was due to a number of factors – the firmness with which we stated our own positions both privately and publicly: the reluctance of the Non-Aligned members of the Council to allow a veto situation to develop both because of basic sympathy for us and because they realised that a deadlock would effectively deal the UN out of any further useful role in the crisis: the Irish tactics which the Non-Aligned found both irritating and unacceptable: and the Latin American desire to get out of the Council in order to leave their hands free for the OAS meeting in Washington on the 27th...

It is ironic .. that our best support should have come from Africans, Asians and Caribbeans, with our partners and allies either useless or actively unhelpful.”

“...the new mission was undertaken without enthusiasm by the Secretary-General. He told the Council: You've asked me to do this. I will try, but you should understand that what you are asking is practically impossible. A war is now underway, and it is simply not realistic to think in terms of achieving a cease fire.”

With only seven days available before he has to report back to the Security Council, Pérez de Cuéllar requests that Argentina and Britain provide, within 24 hours, the terms each consider acceptable for a cease-fire; “Pérez de Cuéllar asked to see me privately … Was it really the case that we could no longer contemplate any parallel British withdrawal? I confirmed that it was. … He did not think that he would have any alternative but to report to the Security Council that mutually acceptable terms for a cease-fire were unobtainable. .. I urged him nevertheless to try to find some change in the Argentine position.”

Argentina's Central Bank announces that payments for imported goods can only be made 180 days after shipment; “.. aimed at saving foreign currency to meet needs arising from the Falklands conflict. .. ”

[stevep]

May 26, 2019 7:30:08 GMT lordroel said:

Day 55 of the Falklands War, May 26th 1982

It is ironic .. that our best support should have come from Africans, Asians and Caribbeans, with our partners and allies either useless or actively unhelpful.”

“...the new mission was undertaken without enthusiasm by the Secretary-General. He told the Council: You've asked me to do this. I will try, but you should understand that what you are asking is practically impossible. A war is now underway, and it is simply not realistic to think in terms of achieving a cease fire.”

With only seven days available before he has to report back to the Security Council, Pérez de Cuéllar requests that Argentina and Britain provide, within 24 hours, the terms each consider acceptable for a cease-fire; “Pérez de Cuéllar asked to see me privately … Was it really the case that we could no longer contemplate any parallel British withdrawal? I confirmed that it was. … He did not think that he would have any alternative but to report to the Security Council that mutually acceptable terms for a cease-fire were unobtainable. .. I urged him nevertheless to try to find some change in the Argentine position.”

“... Perez de Cuellar was unhappy. He told the Council: 'You've asked me to do this. I will try, but you should understand that what you are asking is practically impossible. A war is now underway, and it is simply not realistic to think in terms of achieving a cease fire.”

  Not really probably as a lot of those states realised the danger of letting aggression going unopposed.  Especially relevant being the mentions from the Caribbean nations.  Although a little unfair on some of the neighbours as Belgium seems to have been generally supportive and France, although with a little pushing required has stopped supplying the Argentine with Exocet's. 

  You have the statement from Perez de Cuellar effectively repeated at the end of the article.

[lordroel]

May 26, 2019 12:09:48 GMT stevep said:

May 26, 2019 7:30:08 GMT lordroel said:

Day 55 of the Falklands War, May 26th 1982

It is ironic .. that our best support should have come from Africans, Asians and Caribbeans, with our partners and allies either useless or actively unhelpful.”

“...the new mission was undertaken without enthusiasm by the Secretary-General. He told the Council: You've asked me to do this. I will try, but you should understand that what you are asking is practically impossible. A war is now underway, and it is simply not realistic to think in terms of achieving a cease fire.”

With only seven days available before he has to report back to the Security Council, Pérez de Cuéllar requests that Argentina and Britain provide, within 24 hours, the terms each consider acceptable for a cease-fire; “Pérez de Cuéllar asked to see me privately … Was it really the case that we could no longer contemplate any parallel British withdrawal? I confirmed that it was. … He did not think that he would have any alternative but to report to the Security Council that mutually acceptable terms for a cease-fire were unobtainable. .. I urged him nevertheless to try to find some change in the Argentine position.”

“... Perez de Cuellar was unhappy. He told the Council: 'You've asked me to do this. I will try, but you should understand that what you are asking is practically impossible. A war is now underway, and it is simply not realistic to think in terms of achieving a cease fire.”

  Not really probably as a lot of those states realised the danger of letting aggression going unopposed.  Especially relevant being the mentions from the Caribbean nations.  Although a little unfair on some of the neighbours as Belgium seems to have been generally supportive and France, although with a little pushing required has stopped supplying the Argentine with Exocet's. 

  You have the statement from Perez de Cuellar effectively repeated at the end of the article.

Thanks for the notice, will edit it.

[lordroel]

Day 56 of the Falklands War, May 27th 1982

In the Falklands, a little before dawn, 45 Commando move towards Douglas.

PM Thatcher addresses the House of Commons; “Yesterday the United Nations Security Council adopted unanimously a resolution on the Falkland Islands. It reaffirms resolution 502 and requests the Secretary-General to undertake a renewed mission of good offices, to enter into contact with Britain and Argentina with a view to negotiating mutually acceptable conditions for a ceasefire and to report again to the Security Council within seven days. We shall, of course, co-operate fully with the Secretary-General in that. In voting for the resolution our representative at the United Nations made it clear that, in view of Argentina's continued refusal to implement resolution 502, the only acceptable condition for a ceasefire is that it should be unequivocally linked with a firm and unconditional Argentine commitment immediately to commence withdrawal of its forces from the islands. … In the published proposals that we debated last Thursday there was a linked withdrawal of British forces and Argentine forces. Those proposals have been withdrawn and as our ambassador to the United Nations made clear when he voted for the resolution, there can now be no question of a British withdrawal. He said: We are talking about Argentine withdrawal. We cannot now accept that Argentine withdrawal be linked in any way to parallel British withdrawal. …

The talks with the Secretary-General will be about unequivocal withdrawal of Argentine forces in accordance with resolution 502 as a condition for a ceasefire. After that, we shall be in repossession of the islands. We then wish to restore British administration. Administration has to continue under existing British law and under existing democratic institutions. There will be a great deal of reconstruction work to do, and also talk about development of further resources. It will take some time for the islanders to crystallise their views, but then we must have discussions with them about the longer-term interests. It will be most unwise for us to give away any of that in advance.”

Francis Pym replies to de Cuéllar's urgent question; “You have asked about the British Government's definition of acceptable terms for a ceasefire. In our view a ceasefire that was not linked inseparably to Argentine withdrawal would give Argentina another opportunity for procrastination through intransigence. The British answer to your question is therefore that a ceasefire is highly desirable and would be acceptable if it was inseparably linked to the commencement of Argentine withdrawal and the completion of that withdrawal within a fixed period. … A change of position by Argentina involving willingness to implement Resolution 502 could transform the situation. It would be most encouraging if in your resumed efforts for peace under the mandate of Security Council Resolution 505 you could obtain from Argentine convincing evidence of such a change. Argentina's immediate response to your question yesterday may not do this, in which case I hope you would go back to them on the point....”

Britain's Ambassador to Ireland informs Taoiseach Charles Haughey that, as Ireland tabled a draft Resolution unacceptable to the UK, relations had taken a, “considerable turn for the worse.”

On the Falklands, Argentina's air force attack the bridgehead at San Carlos during the afternoon. Six men are killed and 30 injured. An Argentine Skyhawk is shot down over West Falkland.

A BBC World Service broadcast reports that 2Para have moved towards the Darwin area. Picked up by Argentina's command at Stanley, the report is dismissed as propaganda.

An observation team near Camilla Creek House is spotted by Argentine forces and fired upon. A Harrier is shot down covering the unit's withdrawal. A reconnaissance team sent by Lieut. Col. Piaggi at Goose Green to investigate is captured; “... (Jones) had brought only two 81mm mortars and a limited amount of ammunition for a quick action. The improving intelligence and the World Service report led 2 Para to signal back that: 'the task is a lot harder and amount of goods given are not sufficient, could 8Bty bring some more.' … “

Photo: Remains of Harrier XZ998, shot down over Goose Green.



Photo: Lieutenant Commander Dante Camilette of the Argentine Marines under arrest. He had been found observing British warship movements from a concealed position above San Carlos Water.



In Washington, at the OAS meeting. Secretary Haig makes a “detailed and determined” speech focusing on the fact that, since it was Argentina which had committed the original act of aggression, it would be wrong to invoke the Rio Treaty. His speech is greeted in silence while those delegates that attack the USA are given ovations; “Costa Mendez set the tone with an intemperate onslaught against the US which had failed in its duty to join with its hemispheric neighbours against an external threat. He urged Argentina's true friends to unite in solidarity against the UK, which throughout the negotiations had acted with total intransigence. British actions were an insult to the Latin American continent. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister accused the British of having a punitive obsession which was shared by the EC, … He asserted that the lucus standi of the UN in this dispute was subordinate to that of the OAS and the Rio Treaty. ...

The Nicaraguan Deputy Foreign Minister maintained that in future the Rio Treaty signatories should meet in Latin America and not in Washington, which was “foreign territory.”.. The US was an accomplice in British aggression...

The Peruvian Foreign Minister maintained that Argentina had throughout been flexible... Colombia introduced a mild hand-wringing Resolution. Trinidad and Tobago repeated its support for self-determination and condemned Argentina for using force to resolve a dispute. Illueca (Panama) made his usual long-winded and abusive speech. Costa Rica, Uruguay, Bolivia and Guatemala spoke without adding anything, although the last three joined the mob in condemning the US.”

Henderson reports that Washington is still concerned that relations with Latin America are suffering due to their support of the UK; “As they see it, we are now insisting on surrender of the Argentinian garrison and a return to British rule without any definite commitment to an attempt to achieve a long-term solution. In effect, we are basing ourselves on a return to the status quo ante. ...

He goes on to suggest that the Islanders' interests could be safeguarded by; “ .. some international group comprising say, two regional powers, plus the US and the UK, with the presence perhaps of the US and Brazilian forces and that, without prejudice to the future, in a given number of years this group will, in keeping with the wishes and interests of the Islanders, make proposals about the status of the Falkland Islands.”

In London, after reading Henderson's suggestions, Thatcher scrawls the word “NO” across the last paragraph.


Atlantic Conveyor sinks. Argonaut's unexploded bomb is finally removed by the crew and lowered into the sea; allowing repairs to begin; “... by that night (27) Europic Ferry and Sir Geraint could leave and Sir Galahad was almost finished unloading. Unlike previous nights, no new ships were taken in for unloading. All the guns, vehicles and the bulk of the immediate stores and ammunition were ashore, as were eleven Sea Kings, Four Wessex and one Chinook... Only warships and the damaged Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad remained in San Carlos Water... The battle of San Carlos was now definitely over.”

At 2200 Falklands time, HMS Arrow moves into position and commences to bombard Argentine positions at Goose Green. 2 Para move forward under cover of the naval fire. The Bristol group of ships arrive off the Falklands, comprising Avenger, Active, Andromeda, Cardiff, Penelope and Minerva.

[lordroel]

Day 57 of the Falklands War, May 28th 1982

At 0430 local time, a report is sent back from 2 Para that the assault on Goose Green/Darwin is going as planned, however, as dawn approaches the momentum slows; “... concerned about further delays, (Jones) concentrated on what he could control and focused on the obstacle ahead of him, the enemy position on Darwin Ridge leading towards the Hill... Jones decided to lead from the front... Armed with a sub-machine gun, he charged off towards the nearest enemy trench but was exposed to enemy fire from other trenches. Having been shot once he picked himself up and carried on firing but close to his target, he was hit again... He died before he could be evacuated.”

Map: Actual course of British attack: Goose Green.



A few moments later, a British 66mm anti-tank rocket scores a direct hit on the trench from where Jones had been killed. White flags are seen arising from Argentine trenches on Darwin Ridge. 2 Para have six dead and eleven wounded.

An Argentine Pucara shoots down a British Scout helicopter, but then crashes on its way back to Stanley.

Painting: British Harrier supporting the attack by the Paras on Goose Green.



At 0710 Falklands time, Argentine positions at Boca House surrender after taking a heavy bombardment leaving twelve dead. 2 Para continue to move towards Goose Green.

Photo: A Royal Navy Westland Sea King HC.4 of 825 Naval Air Squadron takes off after transporting J Company, 42 Commando, Royal Marines from Port San Carlos to Darwin, East Falklands. 



Shortly after 1400, Argentine white flags are seen, but not honoured, leaving three British dead. Remotivated, the British platoon overrun the Argentine position.

In London, Brazil's Ambassador, Roberto Campos, calls on Francis Pym; “Matters were now at a critical point. British insistence on an unconditional Argentine withdrawal would have a destabilising effect both on Argentina and the Region. If Argentina were faced with military humiliation, it might have no choice but to turn to the Soviet Union. .. (he) wished to know whether the British position on Argentine withdrawal and on full restoration of British sovereignty was irreversible. He hoped not ..

He hoped that we might indicate a continued willingness to negotiate a solution which might involve a phased and mutual withdrawal and interim administration arrangements. I said .. following our landing on the Islands, the circumstances were inevitably different. .. We intended to repossess the Islands and to restore our administration. .. Campos, who was in a waspish mood, went on to make some sharp criticism of our position on sovereignty … It was not a productive exchange. ..

Pope John Paul arrives in Britain for a 6 day visit.

On the Falklands, Darwin is occupied by British troops at 1700 local time. Local FIC agent, Robert Hardcastle, reports to the company; “Very thankful to be liberated. .. Some houses destroyed. All employees and visitors safe. … Regret to advise goons occupied and looted all houses, stores, farm materials, Rovers, tractors and equipment. Settlement area a shambles. Much indiscriminate sheep killing for food by goons in helicopters ...”

PM Thatcher asks Lord Shackleton to update his report.

Argentina answers Pérez de Cuéllar's urgent question of the 26th, providing their minimum terms for a ceasefire. These include a suspension of all operations by troops; monitoring by the UN; separate zones to be established on the Islands if necessary; no military reinforcement; the UN to provide food etc to the troops and civilians; negotiations to take place on the withdrawal of both parties and an interim administration.

At Goose Green, Argentine commanders make contact with their British counterparts. An ultimatum is delivered by two captured Argentine officers. 45 Commando take up their positions at Douglas. Islanders using tractors and trailers assist in moving equipment over boggy ground.

[lordroel]

Day 58 of the Falklands War, May 29th 1982

French President Mitterand informs Margaret Thatcher that he is under pressure to complete the order of Exocet missiles to Peru; “Peru has made it known to other Latin American countries that France is declining to execute the contract. Consequently, France's contracts with other Latin American countries are in danger.”

At Goose Green, shortly after dawn, the two Argentine officers who had delivered the British ultimatum return with a message that a meeting of the two sides should be arranged. At 1050 local time Lieut. Colonel Italo Piaggi and 1,400 Argentine troops surrender. None of the 112 civilians are harmed; “At one end of Goose Green settlement a Union Jack now flies high above the school. At the other end, the flag of the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. After a whole day's bitter fighting and a morning's delicate surrender negotiations, the cheers of liberation came in the early afternoon. Women handed round cups of tea in Royal wedding mugs. Children carried round tins of sweets and biscuits to young Paras .. For nearly a month, 114 people had been shut up by the Argentinians in community hall. Their houses had been raided with furniture smashed and excrement on the floor. … Now the 1200 or so prisoners are being made to clean up the mess...

Photo: Major Chris Keeble accepted the surrender of 1,400 Argentine soldiers at the battle of Goose Green.



To the north-east of the Falklands a British fuel tanker, British Wye, is attacked by an Argentine C-130 Hercules. Of eight bombs dropped, only one hits the vessel but fails to explode.

Argentine troops discover that Mount Kent has been seized by the SAS, providing a commanding view of Port Stanley. Efforts to dislodge them are unsuccessful.

Late morning, elements of 3 Para arrive at Teal Inlet; reported clear of enemy troops by an SBS patrol; “The Argentine troops are very apprehensive, in some cases very frightened, here in Stanley. One broke down and had to be carried away by his mates. Another wandered up the road in tears, dragging his rifle. There are hundreds of them about the streets, clustered in pathetic, depressed groups, their clothes and boots sodden with rain and trench water. Very little spirit seems left in them. They are now realising that the push is about to hit them – and hit them hard… The food situation among troops in Stanley is becoming increasingly desperate. Jeremy says that yesterday when he was tipping out the rubbish at the dump the soldiers were waiting for his arrival with sticks for bits of food.”

During the early afternoon, 2 Super Etendards, escorted by 4 A4Cs attack HMS Avenger, to the south of the carrier group with an Exocet missile; “They detected several echoes ahead of them in the target area, and, .., the missile was fired at what was believed to be Invincible 15 miles ahead. They then turned away to find their tanker. The target identified was not Invincible but Avenger.... The Avenger's chaff distracted the missile, which passed close to the ship but did no harm. Then came in the four A4s. One was caught by a Sea Dart... while another was hit by small arms fire from Avenger or debris from the explosion that had taken out the first A4. The other two dropped their bombs but missed and turned away to safety.”

Argentina's Representative contacts the Secretary-General to say that the terms the British are offering are terms, “for surrender.” Pérez de Cuéllar contacts Sir Anthony Parsons to tell him that the Argentines are showing an interest in a reference to “international security arrangements” and wish to know what the British meant. The Secretary-General confirms that he will not expect a reply before the 31st.

The OAS meets again. Argentina assures them that it has complied with the Organisation's last Resolution, but claims that Britain has not; “.. A closed drafting group met all day and night to prepare the final Resolution, which was in some ways tougher than the original draft when it finally emerged. We gather that Venezuela was outspokenly assertive throughout the meeting: reasonable drafts from Colombia and Costa Rica were swept aside. The Mexicans and Brazilians, who played a moderating role at the last meeting, seem to have had little effect this time round. The Americans were almost entirely routed .. The Colombians managed to smuggle in reference to the peaceful resolution of disputes.”

In its final form, the OAS Resolution refers to their Resolution of 28 April; “ While the Government of the Argentine Republic informed the Organ of Consultation of its full adherence .. the British forces proceeded to carry out serious and repeated armed attacks against the Argentine Republic in the zone of the Malvinas Islands, within the security region defined by Article 4 of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, which means that the United Kingdom has ignored the appeal made to it by the 20th Meeting of Consultation.

Resolves: (1) To condemn most vigorously the unjustified and disproportionate armed attack perpetrated by the United Kingdom, and its decision, which affects the security of the entire American hemisphere, or arbitrarily declaring an extensive area of up to 12 miles from the American coasts as a zone of hostilities ..; (2)To reiterate its firm demand upon the United Kingdom that it cease immediately its acts of war against the Argentine Republic and order the immediate return to their usual stations of its Task Force and all its armed forces..; (3) To deplore the fact that the attitude of the United Kingdom has helped to frustrate the negotiations for a peaceful settlement …; (4) To express its convictions that it is essential to reach with the greatest urgency, a peaceful and honourable settlement of the conflict, under the auspices of the United Nations, …; (5) To urge the Government of the United States of America to order the immediate lifting of the coercive measures applies against the Argentine Republic and to refrain from providing material assistance to the United Kingdom, in observance of the principle of hemispheric solidarity recognised in the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance. (6) To urge the members of the European Economic Community, and the other States that have taken them, to lift immediately the coercive economic or political measures taken against the Argentine Republic; (7) To request the States, parties to the Rio Treaty, to give the Argentine Republic the support that each judges appropriate to assist... ”

US Ambassador, William Middendorf, abstains, saying; “We believe the resolution before us to be one-sided. It charges some; it ignores the actions of others. It ignores what the legal effects of first use of force should be. Further, there is no recognition that there must be compliance by both parties with all elements of UN Security Council Resolution 502 ...”

Secretary Haig speaks to Ambassador Henderson; “Haig said that if we could only consider proposals relating to the future after the surrender of the Argentine garrison, then he thought it would have to be London who put forward ideas rather than the US and Brazil. He was saying in effect that the US would not be able to go in for this sort of approach once the Argentines had been humiliated by a complete military defeat because this would exacerbate Washington's relations with the Latin American world. Haig also gave me a piece of paper containing four points .. in connection with the American ideas – (1) restoration of local administration does not include return of a Governor; (2) avoidance of publicly espousing independence or semi-independence, as the British goal; (3) agreement on withdrawal would have to say something about non-reintroduction of forces; (4) contact group to stay on indefinitely.”

Haig's “ideas” include; “When British military success is at hand, the US and Brazil would propose an agreement to the UN and Argentina containing .. - (1) General and permanent cease-fire, establishment of a temporary British military administration, lifting of sanctions by Argentina, the UK and third countries; (2) Immediate introduction of a peacekeeping force from the US and Brazil to verify cease-fire and separation of forces; (3) Rapid withdrawal of Argentine forces; (4) Creation of a Contact Group of the UK, US, Brazil and Argentina; (5) End of military administration and start of local self-government by the local Councils with the Contact Group ratifying all decisions ..; (6) Phased withdrawal of British forces, with the peacekeeping force to assume responsibility for the security of the Islands for a limited period; (7) Negotiations, without preconditions, on the definitive settlement of the dispute with the assistance of other members of the Contact Group; (8) Undertaking by both parties not to take any action that would prejudice the outcome of the negotiations.”

Henderson tells Haig that the British Government are considering independence or some form of independence for the Islanders. Haig responds that the British should refrain from mentioning it as it would be unacceptable to the Argentines; “They regard it as tantamount to saying that we would not in any circumstances accept the transfer of sovereignty.”