349. Note From the Deputy to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Gompert) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Eagleburger)1

LSE:

SUBJECT

  • Falklands

Putting substance aside, there is currently a communications gap between us and the British. Even allowing for a legitimate UK pre-occupation with war termination, they are simply not keeping us informed well enough.2 In particular, Mrs. Thatcher is making announcements (see attached example)3 with regard to sensitive political questions—e.g., the return of Rex Hunt, the rejection of negotiations, the rejection of future Argentine “participation” on the Islands—without giving us any fore-warning, let alone consultations. I can’t believe that the FCO is so completely cut out that they can’t give us any advance information. This is not only unfair to us, given what we’ve done, but also a severe handicap.

Now that the Islands are in British hands, there is no excuse for this to continue. If you agree, I can—or ask Bob Blackwill to—convey to the Embassy here on a strictly personal basis the opinion that we will need to be kept better informed in the future. My relationship with Robin Renwick is such that he would welcome a personal heads-up if we foresee a need for a more timely information flow.

DCG4
  1. Source: Department of State, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Miscellaneous Files, March 1981–February 1983, Lot 83D210, Falklands [Folder 1]. Secret. A stamped notation at the top of the note indicates that Eagleburger saw it on June 16.
  2. Gompert added the word “UK” by hand.
  3. Attached but not printed is a statement made by Thatcher to the House of Commons on June 15.
  4. Eagleburger drew an arrow to Gompert’s initials and wrote: “See me!”