Archive

Archive (Reagan Library)

Falklands: Haig telegram to Clark (negotiations) [declassified 2000]

Document type: Declassified documents
Venue: Buenos Aires
Source: Reagan Library: Executive Secretariat, NSC: Records, Country File (Falklands War) (Box 91365)
Editorial comments: Despatched at 1715 GMT.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 240 words
Themes: Defence (Falklands), Foreign policy (Americas excluding USA), Foreign policy (Middle East), Foreign policy (USA)
Declassified NLS F96-003-01,#72
By dIb NARA, Date 5/9/00

Secret
WPC Judge William Clarkhas seen

WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM

PAGE 01 OF 02 USDEL SECRETARY IN 6047
DTG: 181715Z APR 82
PSN: 046216
TOR: 109/1808Z
SIT642

DISTRIBUTION: WPC MCF WHLR JP /006
WHSR COMMENT: RED TAG PLEASE ADVISE IF FURTHER DISSEM DESIRED

FLASH
STU7109
DE RUEHLA #6047 1091730
Z 181715Z APR 82

FM USDEL SECRETARY IN BUENOS AIRES

TO SECRETARY OF STATE Alexander Haig WASH D.C. FLASH

SECRET SECTO 6047

NODIS
FOR S/KLOSSON AND S/S BREMER
E.O. 12065: RDS-1,3 (4/19/02)
TAGS: OVIP (HAIG, ALEXANDER M., JR.)

SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO JUDGE CLARK

[Text following originally in upper case.]

1. Please pass following message to Judge Clark immediately.
Begin text: I called you on open line with clear recognition that Argentines would monitor. In order to break impossible impasse this morning on force withdrawal modalities, I created impression that British military action was about to take place. While somewhat over-theatrical, it has the virtue of being true in the context of first British units steaming toward South Georgia island. Fortunately, the ploy worked and it is vital that I leave here with an assessment by the Argentines not only that the British are going to attack but we are only hours away from such an event. You handled it on the phone precisely as I had hoped.
Warm regards
Al

Haig