176. Editorial Note
The first session of the General Committee of the Twentieth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Rio Treaty (MFM) convened at the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States in Washington on the afternoon of April 26, 1982, to consider the appropriateness of the application of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty) to the current conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falklands/Malvinas. Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig, Jr. addressed the assembly, stating that in the “current conflict, the surest guide to a peaceful [Page 391] settlement is to be found in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 502,” noting that in support of this resolution the United States had “offered its assistance to both Britain and Argentina.” “President Reagan,” Haig continued, “believes that the United States has perhaps a unique ability to assist the parties. Under his direction, I have made myself available to both, accepting their invitations to sound out their views and suggesting avenues to approach a framework of peace.”
“It is quite clear,” Haig argued, “that the crisis has reached a critical point. New military action has taken place. Unless a settlement can be found in the next few days, more intensive fighting is likely to occur. The conflict over the islands affects us all. As we consider what we can do to help the situation, let us recall these points.
“• There has been a use of force by an American state already followed by a U.N. Security Council resolution which clearly sets forth the basis for a peaceful settlement. While we should take advantage of the peaceful settlement procedures available to us in this forum, it would be neither appropriate nor effective to treat this dispute within the collective security framework implied by the Rio Treaty.
“• Any resolution considered for adoption by the foreign ministers should be examined against the criteria of whether it contributes to the peace process, whether it impairs the peace efforts already endorsed by the Organization of American States and whether it strengthens the ability of this organization to contribute in the future to easing crises.
“Our participation in the inter-American system pledges us to strengthen the peace and security of the hemisphere. In the search for a solution that both parties can accept with honor and responsibility, the United States remains at the disposition of the parties. At this critical hour, we are redoubling out peace efforts. With your help, we may succeed.”
The complete text of Haig’s address is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, June 1982, pages 85–86. Haig recalled in his memoirs that the speech was “greeted by stony silence.” (Haig, Caveat, page 291) The MFM adopted Resolution I at the conclusion of its deliberations on April 28. See footnote 2, Document 185.