US feared Falklands war would be 'close-run thing', documents reveal

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

The US feared the Thatcher government "had not thought much about diplomatic possibilities" for resolving the Falklands crisis when it dispatched a military taskforce 30 years ago, and predicted the conflict would be a "close-run thing" that could well bring about Margaret Thatcher's fall, according to newly declassified American diplomatic cables.

The documents, published by the National Security Archives, an independent research organisation in Washington, also highlight American worries that a protracted war could draw in the Soviet Union on Argentina's side, with far-reaching geopolitical repercussions in an area of the world the US saw as its backyard.

To try to ensure that did not happen, the Reagan administration provided the Thatcher government with substantial covert support, particularly in the form of satellite intelligence on Argentinian military deployments on the Falklands, while outwardly portraying itself as neutral.

In a personal note to Thatcher on 1 April 1982, Reagan wrote: "I want you to know that we have valued your co-operation 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."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/01/us-feared-falklands-war-documents

[provis99]

1. how absolutely delusional were Reagan's advisers?

they really thought the Soviet Union would intervene on the side of a fascist government in Argentina?

I'm surprised Reagan and his clowns didn't blow up the world in the 1980's.

[bemildred]

3. Enemies are everywhere, you know, watching all the time too.

And everybody will lie to you about it, they are all plotting against you.

[burrowowl]

2. Why am I not surprised!