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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XIII, Conflict in the South Atlantic, 1981–1984
  4. Document 229

229. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Enders) to Secretary of State Haig1

Washington, May 5, 1982

SUBJECT

  • Brazilian President’s Reply to President Reagan’s Letter on the Falkland/Malvinas Crisis

President Figueiredo’s reply (copy attached)2 to President Reagan’s letter3 has just been delivered by the Brazilian Embassy. It is stiffly worded but avoids substance except to state Figueiredo’s apprehension over our decision to apply sanctions. In implied contrast, the letter also describes the positions taken by Brazil as being guided by the objective of maintaining the capacity for dialogue and favoring peace efforts.

The operative part of the letter advises that Figueiredo wants to cut short his state visit next week and to have it take on a more businesslike tone. In practical terms that means conducting program activities in one day and canceling his return reception, his luncheon and speech at the OAS, and other incidental social functions. However, he will attend the state dinner at the White House.

Although Figueiredo’s letter states a desire to focus his discussions on the Falkland/Malvinas problem, the Brazilian Embassy asserts continuing strong Brazilian interest in covering the many other items on the agenda.

Our initial reaction is that the tone of the letter and the curtailment of the visit are primarily for the consumption of the Argentines and other Latins. In fact, it would appear that Figueiredo is preserving in his now abbreviated schedule at least one free day, but in Cleveland rather than in Washington.

Our understanding from the Brazilian Embassy is that the changes will not affect the White House portion of the schedule and should present no major problems.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P820069–1766. Drafted by Kilday on May 4. Haig initialed the memorandum and wrote “Wow!” in the top right-hand corner. A stamped notation also indicates that Haig saw the memorandum.↩
  2. Attached but not printed. Under a May 5 covering memorandum, Bremer sent Clark an unofficial Department of State translation of Figueiredo’s May 4 letter. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P890006–2306)↩
  3. See Document 204. ↩