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

160. Note From the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Williams) to Secretary of Defense Weinberger¹

Washington, undated

Attached message [less than 1 line not declassified] received at 1030 local time. We are aware that the first contingent of British vessels is very near South Georgia at this time.² [less than 1 line not declassified] the islands to be occupied by no more than a platoon of Argentine troops, if there are any present at all. The harbor at Grytviken is a good one and would offer shelter to the task force in the face of South Atlantic storms.

James A. Williams
Lieutenant General, U.S. Army
Director

Attachment

Telegram From the Defense Attaché in London ([name not declassified]) to the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Williams) and the Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Burkhalter)³

London, April 21, 1982, 1519Z

1. (S/Noforn) at 1440 local London time 820421, [less than 1 line not declassified] UK MOD revealed [less than 1 line not declassified] quote UK forces will take South Georgia Island tonight or tomorrow unquote.⁴

2. (S/Noforn) [1½ lines not declassified] In this regard time was not clarified as being London local or South Georgia Island local or where forces would come from or extent/nature of forces or next step.

3. (S/Noforn) [2 lines not declassified] will stay close in touch particularly during next 24 hours and advise by this or directed means any amplification of info.

4. (S/Noforn) [less than 1 line not declassified] HMS Antrim, one other destroyer, HMS Endurance and tanker now in South Georgia area.

5. (S/Noforn) [less than 1 line not declassified] the timing of info provided due to impending Pym visit to Washington tomorrow 820422 would seem to cast some doubt on info.

6. (U) [less than 1 line not declassified]

1. Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files, FRC 330–84–0003, Argentina (Jan–15 May) 1982. Secret. A copy was sent to Iklé.
2. In an April 21 information memorandum to Haig, Enders wrote that the British seizure of South Georgia would be “likely to harden even further the Argentine position on sovereignty,” “tend to strengthen the Argentine case under the Rio Treaty,” and “would make it virtually certain” that Argentina “would find the required 14 Latin votes.” Enders recommended trying to “take advantage” of U.K. action “to add new momentum and urgency to the negotiating process,” and privately emphasizing to the Argentines “that this action confirms U.K. determination to use force if a diplomatic solution is not found promptly.” (Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Special Handling Restrictions Memos 1979–1983, Lot 96D262, ES Sensitive April 20–23 1982)
3. Secret; Noforn.
4. According to the British Official History, authorization to initiate landing operations on South Georgia was given to British forces on April 20. The first reconnaissance insertion was attempted on April 21 and successfully achieved the following day. (Freedman, Official History, vol. II, pp. 237–238) British ground troops landed on South Georgia on April 25. See Document 174.