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

226. Memorandum From Norman A. Bailey of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark)¹

Washington, May 5, 1982

SUBJECT

• Falklands Crisis

Considering the immense damage we have already suffered from the Falklands crisis and the likelihood of continuing damage in the future to our relations not only with Argentina but with Latin America in general, I believe the time has come now that we have stated our position and the British have demonstrated their military capacity to urge the British to declare a cease-fire, to declare that the question of eventual sovereignty over the islands is one to be negotiated and that although the wishes of the islanders will be taken into consideration, they will not be controlling with reference to the final settlement.

Roger Fontaine concurs.

RECOMMENDATION:

That you urge this course of action on Secretary Haig.²

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Latin America/Central, Argentina (05/05/1982–05/20/1982). Secret. Sent for action.
2. Under this recommendation, Clark wrote: “not for now. WPC.”