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

232. Telegram From the Embassy in Peru to the Department of State¹

Lima, May 6, 1982, 0417Z

4681. Subject: (U) South Atlantic War. Ref: (A) State 121841;² (B) Lima 4680.³

1. (S–Entire text)

2. President Galtieri [Belaúnde] telephoned me at 2340 EDT to report on his conversation with President Galtieri. He said he advised Galtieri of the constructive UK response to the peace proposals. He told Galtieri the UK in essence accepted them with some changes. However, before he could elaborate Galtieri told him that Argentina had just communicated its agreement to the UN SecGen to a mediating role for the UN. Galtieri did not reveal to Belaunde the conditions under which the UN mediation would be carried out. Belaunde told Galtieri that the British position on the Peruvian peace proposals would give the Argentines some idea of what would be acceptable to the UK. Galtieri expressed his gratitude for Peru’s efforts.

3. Galtieri said he would continue calling Belaunde to keep him advised of the status of the peace process.

4. President Belaunde asked me to transmit the above to the Secretary with his personal thanks for the enormous good will and great effort the Secretary is showing throughout the crisis.

Ortiz

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Cable File, Falkland File 05/06/1982. Secret; Sensitive; Flash; Nodis. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room.
2. See footnote 6, Document 231.
3. In telegram 4680 from Lima, May 6, Ortiz transmitted a report of his meeting with Belaúnde held at 1900 EDT, May 5. Ortiz reported that when delivering the text of Haig’s letter and the draft seven-point proposal to Belaúnde, the latter stated “he did not believe he could convince the Argentines to accept them.” After Ortiz discussed with Belaúnde the Peruvian President’s observations on the shortcomings of the draft proposal, Belaúnde telephoned Haig to repeat his views and suggested “that there be a simple announcement that both sides agreed to a cease fire to be followed by renewed negotiations with the 7-point proposals as the working document. After further discussion the President agreed that he would call President Galtieri but that he must be truthful and tell Galtieri that this proposal is what the UK wants.” (Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Cable File, Falkland File 05/06/1982)