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  4. Document 110

110. Action Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs (Burt) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Eagleburger)1

Washington, April 13, 1982

SUBJECT

  • British Request for FMS Data on Argentina

ISSUE FOR DECISION

How to respond to the British request that we provide them with data on our FMS sales to Argentina.

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

DOD/DSAA received a phone call yesterday from the British Embassy asking that we provide them with data on the types and quantity of equipment we have sold to Argentina through FMS. The Embassy was specifically interested in sales of Electronic Warfare equipment. DSAA has instructed the Embassy to make the request through the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs in State. DSAA has compiled the information (all unclassified) and sent it to PM for transmittal to the British Embassy.

I do not see any reason not to provide this information to the British, who probably could obtain it through other channels in any case. However, I believe you should be aware of the request and approve it.

ARA points out that we would be crossing another, potentially significant threshold of support for the UK in providing this data. Unlike the support we have previously provided, it flows neither from [Page 232] the Ascension agreement nor from the commingling of US-UK intelligence services. We should assume that the GOA would learn of our action, and it would be impossible for us to portray our decision as other than a clear statement of US support for UK military action. That would obviously prejudice any continuing “good offices” role by us.

EUR supports the PM position and sees no problem with supplying the UK with the requested information.

RECOMMENDATION:

That you agree to provide the British with data on our Foreign Military Sales to Argentina.2

  1. Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Special Handling Restrictions Memos 1979–1983, Lot 96D262, ES Sensitive April 10–19 1982. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Ogden on April 12; cleared by Brown, Bosworth, and M. Konner (EUR). A stamped notation at the top of the page indicates that Eagleburger saw the memorandum on April 14.↩
  2. Eagleburger initialed his approval of the recommendation.↩