258. Telegram From Secretary of State Haig to the Department of State1
Secto 7018. Subject: Message From the British on Falklands.
1. The Secretary received today, May 13, 1982, the following message from the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Quote (classified Confidential) (title) Falklands: E.C. Import Embargo. The British Government welcome Mr. Haig’s offer to put further pressure on Europeans, and would be grateful for anything further he can do to encourage our EC partners to renew the embargo.2 The situation is on a knife-edge in a number of capitals. Although most would probably join a consensus if all others favor renewal, there is a [Page 542] danger of a domino effect if a significant minority comes out against renewal. American influence could be particularly useful with the Italians (although here is the socialists who are chiefly causing problems) and with the Irish (where Mr. Haig will appreciate that our own influence is extremely limited). The Danes are also a problem, but chiefly because of hang-ups over type of Community instrument to be used. The Belgians and Luxembourgers are firm, and we are reasonably confident of the French, Dutch and Greeks. However, there will seem to be some doubts in Bonn and anything Mr. Haig can do to stiffen Germans would also be helpful. End quote.3
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Cable File, Falkland File 05/13/1982. Confidential; Immediate; Nodis. Haig was in Ankara May 13–15 for meetings with Turkish officials before traveling to Luxembourg for the NATO Ministerial Meeting May 16–18.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 98.↩
- The EC, meeting after the NAC meeting, renewed the embargo on May 17. See Documents 268–270.↩