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

179. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Argentina¹

Washington, April 27, 1982, 0037Z

112085. For the Ambassador from Enders. Subject: Falkland Islands.

1. C–Entire text.

2. Events are moving quickly here and we will have to take action tonight to continue our effort to find a peaceful solution. The Secretary has talked to Costa Mendez and proposed that he travel to Buenos Aires immediately with the agreement text, as it has been refined since we departed Argentina.² The President is prepared to call Galtieri if that is necessary.³

3. If Galtieri still refuses, we will send you the text of the agreement as it now stands for delivery to the GOA, asking for a response within 24 hours.⁴ We will also send you talking points at that time.⁵

4. You should be aware that we now consider UK military action against the Falklands to be imminent 24–48 hours. If we send text to GOA we will also send it to HMG, and we will be prepared to make it public very soon thereafter. Because of the very real danger at this point that our peacekeeping effort will not succeed, you should begin immediately to consider the necessary steps in the event of major conflict.

Haig

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Cable File, Falkland File, 04/27/1982 (1). Secret; Sensitive; Flash; Nodis.
2. See footnote 2, Document 178.
3. See footnote 5, Document 178.
4. See footnote 4, Document 181. Haig recalled that “as the hours passed, no reply came. On the telephone, Costa Mendez said he was awaiting Galtieri’s decision. As the deadline approached, we phoned the Argentine embassy and were told that Costa Mendez was dining with the ambassador and could not be disturbed. Finally, Costa Mendez informed me that his government could not receive me in Buenos Aires at this time.” (Haig, Caveat, p. 291)
5. In telegram 112303 to Buenos Aires, April 27, the Department dispatched to Shlaudeman a set of talking points to use in his meeting with Galtieri. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]) Haig wrote of this action: “We were not certain that Costa Mendez had transmitted the American proposal to Galtieri. I instructed Ambassador Shlaudeman to deliver the draft to the Argentinians.” (Haig, Caveat, p. 291)