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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XIII, Conflict in the South Atlantic, 1981–1984
  4. Document 332

332. Transcript of a Telephone Conference of the Special Situation Group1

Washington, June 11, 1982, 9:35–9:47 a.m.

[Omitted here is discussion of events relating to the crisis in Lebanon.]

Kirkpatrick: De Cuellar informed me yesterday. He’s been in touch with Pope. New initiative on Argentina.2

VP: Anything new on Falklands.

Jones: [less than 1 line not declassified] 22–26 A–4 Skyhawks have been delivered to Argentina from Israel.

Cap: May want to ask Israelis.

Casey: Have [unconfirmed?] reports of EXOCET from Libya to Argentina.

Stoessel: Will follow up on Israel.

[Omitted here is discussion of events relating to the crisis in Lebanon.]

  1. Source: Reagan Library, Philip A. Dur Files, [Crisis Pre-Planning Group/Special Situation Group] CPPG/SSG: Lebanon—06/11/1982–06/13/1982 (2). No classification marking. Bush, Stoessel, Weinberger, Kirkpatrick, Jones, Casey, and McFarlane participated in the telephone conference. Poindexter prepared the handwritten transcript.↩
  2. Pope John Paul II paid an official visit to Argentina June 11–12, where he met with “leading Argentine political figures, top-ranking Argentine churchmen, the presidents of the bishops conferences of Latin American nations, and cardinals and archbishops from some neighboring countries.” The Pope “said that the Church must speak out against ‘hatred and discord, which constantly shatter unity and peace.’” (Telegram 162990 to all diplomatic and consular posts, June 12; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820308–0564) In telegram 12533 from Rome, May 26, the Embassy confirmed that the “sole purpose” of the Pope’s visit was to “balance out” his scheduled visit to the United Kingdom, which began the same day. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820274–0312) Earlier, the Pope had called for a South Atlantic ceasefire, which was rejected by the British on May 24. (Telegram 142578 to all diplomatic and consular posts, May 25; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820271–0728) He also sent letters regarding the situation to Queen Elizabeth II and to Reagan on April 17. (Telegrams 9408 and 9409 from Rome, April 19; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820203–0926 and D820203–0934)↩