With an apparent lull in the military action off the Falklands—after yesterday's air and naval clashes—the Prime Minister's inner Cabinet met this afternoon for three and three quarter hours. The meeting was held at Chequers where Mrs Thatcher intends to stay overnight. One man who wasn't there: the Foreign Secretary, Mr Francis Pym, who's in the United States for talks with the American Secretary of State, Mr Haig and the United Nations Secretary General. One political development today has been Mrs Thatcher's decision to invite other Party leaders to private talks when Mr Pym returns. The Liberal leader, Mr Steel, has accepted the invitation; so has Doctor David Owen of the Social Democrats; but Mr Foot has still to make up his mind. This report from our Chief Political correspondent, Brian Curtois: [end p1]
Curtois
Mrs. Thatcher and her senior ministers were joined at their lengthy discussions by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Terence Lewin and the other service chiefs. They wanted to assess the success of the military operation so far, and consider what option to take up next. As far as the Government are concerned the Argentines are cut off on the Falklands, but there's a feeling that more military action may be needed to make them ealise this.
The Government remain determined to seek a diplomatic solution, but they don't think it may come for some time, and that the Argentines may have to stew a bit first.
Mr. Pym will not have any specific peace proposals to put to the United Nations Secretary General when he meets him later today.
Mrs. Thatcher issued her invitation to the other parties to have talks because the diplomatic side of the crisis has now moved into a new phase. The Downing Street statement said she thought it would be helpful to the opposition parties to have talks on Tuesday, when Mr. Pym returns from America. He's due back late tomorrow night. But the talks will be on Privy Council terms in secret, and that may be why Mr. Foot has not rushed into accepting the invitation. He's not been infavour of talks of this kind before and he might feel he doesn't want to appear to have his hands tied in any way.
In a statement today, Mr. Foot critically questioned the wisdom of ordering British forces into action before Mr. Pym had been to the United Nations. Was it necessary or right? he asked. But at the same time he said the country was naturally conerned for the troops' success and safety.
Mr. Foot again stressed the urgency of a diplomatic solution through the United Nations. The Liberal leader, David Steel welcomed the inter-party talks, and said it was important they should get together to discuss what was an increasingly important situation. If there was likely to be any escalation of military action it should be done with the United backing of Parliament.
If Mr. Foot does turn down the talks, then Mrs. Thatcher will have to decide whether to go ahead and hold them with the other party leaders.