Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XIII, Conflict in the South Atlantic, 1981–1984

127. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark) to President Reagan¹

Washington, April 15, 1982

SUBJECT

• Proposed Phone Call from President Galtieri of Argentina

Issue

President Galtieri of Argentina has asked to talk to you by phone today.

Facts

President Galtieri’s office phoned the White House this morning to arrange a phone call between you and President Galtieri. We have set a mutually agreed upon time of 5:00 p.m. today.

Discussion

President Galtieri has made known that the call is not “urgent” but he wishes to continue the dialogue begun with you last week shortly before Argentine forces occupied the Falkland Islands.²

The best guess is President Galtieri is looking for reassurance from you that the U.S. remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the dispute and an evenhanded approach to the problem.

He may, however, raise some new points to be considered in the negotiations. More likely, Galtieri may seek your personal assurance that the United States is not providing intelligence and other forms of military assistance to the British during the crisis as was reported in the American press two days ago.³

It is important that Galtieri hear from you your personal concern regarding the crisis and your commitment to bringing about a peaceful resolution of the dispute. It would also be a good idea to phone Prime Minister Thatcher in order to brief her on your talk with President Galtieri.⁴

Attached are talking points for your use in talking today with President Galtieri (Tab A).⁵

Recommendation

That you talk to President Galtieri and then contact Mrs. Thatcher at the earliest convenient moment.⁶

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Subject File, Memorandums of Conversation—President Reagan (April 1982). No classification marking. Sent for action. Drafted by Fontaine. A stamped notation in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum indicates that Clark saw it. Fontaine sent the memorandum to Clark under an April 15 cover memorandum, in which he recommended that Clark sign it.
2. See Document 41.
3. See Document 115.
4. In an April 15 memorandum to Clark, Blair recommended that Reagan contact Thatcher after the Galtieri conversation “[i]n order to maintain our even handed approach” to the Falklands/Malvinas crisis. Instead of a telephone call, Blair noted, and “[b]ecause of the time difference, it makes most sense for him [Reagan] to send a message to London on the Cabinet line.” “In the message,” he continued, “the President will relay the essence of his conversation with Galtieri, and offer to talk with Mrs. Thatcher directly tomorrow morning if she thinks it necessary.” On the memorandum, Clark approved Blair’s recommendation that Blair contact the British Embassy to inform them of the plan to send Thatcher a message following the Galtieri conversation. (Reagan Library, NSC Latin American Affairs Directorate Files, Falklands/Malvinas: NSC & State Memos, 1982) For Reagan’s message to Thatcher, see Document 129.
5. Attached but not printed.
6. An unknown hand approved the recommendation.