324. Telegram From the Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Kirkpatrick) to the White House1

1. White House Situation Room for President Reagan and Judge William Clark Eyes Only. From J. Kirkpatrick.

1. This letter and a parallel one from the Secretary General were delivered last night to their respective Ambassadors at approximately 11 p.m.

2. Note that the deadline on the reply is 8:00 pm this evening

[Page 674]

3. Basically this proposal spells out the modes for implementing Resolution 502 which was the British resolution and one which they have repeatedly described as the only basis for peace.

4. The proposal addresses the U.K. objection that the “Spanish” resolution provided no specific time frame for withdrawal of Argentine troops.

5. It provides for removing all Argentine troops in 15 days and only makes a reference to British plans for “reducing” its forces.

6. That is, it leaves the U.K. in control of the Islands, but it also provides for future negotiations.

7. This gives the British everything they have said they wanted, but provides a fig leaf for Argentine pride (the fig leaf being, basically, the right to surrender and withdraw under U.N. auspices instead of British).

8. It is also being transmitted directly to top Argentine decision makers.

9. If the President can help Mrs. Thatcher decide to accept this, lives and the U.S. interests would be saved.

10. I am not repeat not sending this to any other part of our government—from concern for leaks or sabotage.

Quote:

Message to Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Margaret Thatcher, M.P., Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Excellency,

The armed conflict in the region of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) threatens to enter into a new and extremely dangerous phase that is likely to result in heavy loss of life on both sides. This would gravely prejudice, for the foreseeable future, any prospect for a settlement of the underlying dispute. Tension and conflict would continue, in contradiction to the interests of all concerned.

I feel it my duty in this situation, in pursuance of the mandate entrusted to me by the Security Council, to appeal directly to Your Excellency and to President Galtieri, in the hope that a way can still be found to bring the fighting to a halt and to initiate negotiations towards a settlement of this crisis. At this late stage, further exchanges with the parties are not likely to be productive. I therefore wish to suggest the following plan which should be considered as an integral whole:

1. A truce comes into effect as of 11:00 a.m., New York time, on Monday, 7 June 1982.

2. On Wednesday, 9 June, the two military commanders on the Islands meet in the presence of a representative of the Secretary-General [Page 675] for the purpose of agreeing on the modalities of the cease-fire, which is to come into effect by 11:00 a.m., New York time, on Friday, 11 June.

3. Simultaneously with the cease-fire, withdrawal of Argentine forces from the Islands will commence to be completed within 15 days. Argentina will inform the Secretary-General of the withdrawal schedule.

4. Within this time frame, the United Kingdom will inform the Secretary-General of plans for the reduction of its forces in the region of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). In the light of these plans, the Secretary-General will undertake consultations on the possibility of security arrangements under United Nations auspices.

5. The parties undertake to enter into negotiations in good faith, under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for the peaceful settlement of their dispute and to seek, with a sense of urgency, the completion of these negotiations by 31 December 1982, taking into account the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. These negotiations shall be initiated without prejudice to the rights, claims or position of the parties and without prejudgement of the outcome. The negotiations will be held in New York or at a mutually acceptable location in the vicinity thereof.

6. These negotiations will be inaugurated on 1 July 1982.

7. Should the Secretary-General, after taking account of the course of negotiations and the views of the parties, determine that the achievement of the negotiated settlement will not be possible within the time frame envisaged, he may establish a new target date which will be in keeping with the urgency of a diplomatic solution to which the parties are committed.

To be effective, the above plan will require that the two governments communicate their unqualified acceptance by 8:00 p.m. New York time, on Sunday, 6 June 1982. Upon receipt of such positive responses, I will immediately report to the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Javier Perez de Cuellar

Unquote

  1. Source: Reagan Library, William P. Clark Files, Falklands War (UN/Kirkpatrick/Haig) 06/06/1982–11/04/1982. Top Secret; Flash; Eyes Only. [text not declassified] A notation in an unknown hand in the upper right-hand corner of the telegram reads: “SAVE UN folder.”