36. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
86916. Subject: Presidential Message to Mrs. Thatcher on Falkland Island Dispute.
1. Secret–Entire text.
2. Embassy should deliver immediately the following message from the President to Prime Minister Thatcher: Quote: Dear Margaret, I have your urgent message of March 31 over Argentina’s apparent moves against the Falkland Islands.2 We share your concern over the disturbing military steps which the Argentines are taking and regret that negotiations have not succeeded in defusing the problem.
Accordingly, we are contacting the Argentine Government at the highest levels3 to urge them not to take military measures which would make a just solution more difficult to achieve. As you requested, we are also asking for assurances from them that they will show restraint and not initiate hostilities.
I want you to know how we have valued your cooperation on the challenges we both face in many different parts of the world. We will do what we can to assist you here.
Sincerely, Ron. Unquote.4
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Cable File, Falkland File 03/31/1982–04/01/1982. Secret; Sensitive; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Buenos Aires and the White House.↩
- See Document 28.↩
- See Documents 37 and 41.↩
- In telegram 7307 from London, April 1, the Embassy reported that Reagan’s message was delivered to the Prime Minister’s office during the evening of April 1. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820174–0106)↩