Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XIII, Conflict in the South Atlantic, 1981–1984

451. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Argentina and the Mission to the United Nations¹

Washington, October 12, 1984, 0543Z

302856. Subject: Falkland Islands (Malvinas) UNGA Resolution. Ref: USUN 2458.²

1. C–Entire text.

2. Department has studied Argentine draft resolution on the Falklands Malvinas (official translation below) and found it substantially the same as the Argentine resolutions of the last two years.³ Accordingly you may respond to the Argentine Mission that, if the resolution is submitted as now written, we will be able to support it. You should caution that any revisions to the text will reopen the question of how we would vote. Mission should advise Department when Argentines informed of our position.⁴

3. For London: Embassy should inform appropriate FCO officials of USG position when it receives message from US Mission New York that GOA informed.⁵

3. Text official translation:

“Thirty-ninth United Nations General Assembly draft resolution on the question of the Falkland Islands.

—The General Assembly,

—Having considered the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and received the report of the Secretary General;

—Recalling its Resolutions 1514 (XV), 2065 (XX), 3160 (XXVIII), 31/49, 37/9, and 38/12, in addition to Security Council Resolutions 502 and 505 of 1982;

—Reaffirming the principles of the United Nations Charter on the non-use of force or the threat of force in international relations and the obligation of the states to settle their international disputes by peaceful means, and recalling that in this respect the General Assembly has repeatedly requested the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations in order to find as soon as possible a peaceful, just, and definitive solution to the sovereignty dispute relating to the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas);

—Noting with concern that despite the time elapsing since the adoption of Resolution 2065 (XX), this prolonged dispute has still not been settled;

—Aware of the interest of the international community in the resolution by the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of all their differences in accordance with the United Nations ideals of peace and friendship between peoples:

—Taking note of the communique issued at Bern on July 20, 1984, by the Governments of Switzerland and representatives of the Government of Brazil; and

—Reaffirming the need for the parties to take due account of the interests of the population of the aforementioned Islands in accordance with the provisions of General Assembly Resolutions 2065 (XX), 3160 (XXVIII), 37/9, and 38/12;

—1. Reiterates its request to the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations in order to find as soon as possible a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute relating to the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas);

—2. Requests the Secretary General to continue his renewed mission of good offices in order to assist the parties in complying with the request made in paragraph 1 above, taking to that end whatever measures are necessary;

—3. Requests the Secretary General to submit a report to the General Assembly at its fortieth session on the progress made in the implementation of this resolution; and

—4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fortieth session the item entitled “Question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)”.⁶

Dam

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840650–0460. Confidential. Sent for information to London. Drafted by J.L. Martin (ARA/RPP); cleared by Proper, Morley, S. Candy (IO/UNP), P. Olson (L/ARA), K. Stocker (EUR/NE), Kelly, Kilday, M. Ranneberger (P), and McKinley (S/S); approved by R. Kirk (IO).
2. In telegram 2458 from USUN, October 2, the Mission informed the Department that Muniz had provided Sorzano with the Spanish text of the “definitive” Argentine draft resolution and conveyed the text of the draft. In presenting the draft, Muniz “insisted that USUN was only recipient of this text, but that the Argentines might brief others verbally on its contents.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840628–0939)
3. In telegram 290252 to USUN, September 29, the Department noted that the text of the Argentine proposed draft resolution contained “several additions and deletions from the resolutions which we supported the past two years. These changes appear to be designed to put increased pressure on the UK to negotiate on the issue of sovereignty over the Islands and to limit the possibility of self-determination for the Islanders.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840621–0101)
4. Sorzano informed Muniz of the U.S. position on October 12. (Telegram 2761 from USUN, October 13; Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840654–0177) On October 25, the Argentine Foreign Ministry presented Ortiz with textual changes to the draft which were conveyed to the Department in telegram 8538 from Buenos Aires, October 25. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840683–0610)
5. In telegram 22795 from London, October 17, the Embassy reported its discussions with the FCO on the Argentine draft in which the FCO “viewed US support for latest resolution without enthusiasm, but also without rancor. FCO understands that US position is consistent with past votes and appreciates that it is consistent with points made by USG throughout good and regular consultations with HMG.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840662–0608)
6. By a vote of 89 in favor (including the United States) and 9 against, with 54 abstentions, the UN General Assembly adopted this revised text on November 1 as Resolution 39/6. A discussion of the debate and the voting, as well as the text of the adopted resolution were transmitted to the Department in telegram 3030 from USUN, November 2. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840700–0907)