Troops keep fit for Falklands

Press, 12 April 1982, Page 1

Troops keep fit for Falklands

Tory doubts at Tlateter line on Falklands

NZPA-Reuter London Less than 24 hours before the start of Britain’s blockade of the Falkland Islands, the British Prime Minister (Mrs Thatcher) is facing misgivings within her party over threats to use force against Argentina.

The chairman of the ruling Conservative Party. Mr Ceci} Parkinson, has appealed for national unity. His call came amid signs that a growing number of Government members of Parliament are questioning whether Mrs Thatcher can survive a crisis of confidence over the Falklands. He urged politicians to “stand firm together." The conservative “Sunday Telegraph” said in a front page report that this reflected Government concern that public support for the dispatch of the task force to the Falklands could be threatened by action leading to casualties or loss of ships. Editorials in British Sunday ■ newspapers generally supported Mrs Thatcher but most explored the possibilities of compromise and urged her not to rush into firing the first shot. Mrs Thatcher has staked her political life on recovering the islands, seized by Argentina 10 days ago. Britain says it will sink on sight any Argentinian warships within 200 miles of the Falklands after 4 p.m. today (N.Z. time). . With Mrs Thatcher show-

ing no sign of backing down, 1 Conservative Party Rightwingers declared they would i not tolerate any diplomatic ' settlement which involved j settling the 1800 Falkland ; Islanders elsewhere. But some party moderates, : or ‘“wets,” opposed to Mrs : Thatcher’S hardline monetarist policies, hope the Falklands crisis results in her downfall and replacement by ( a moderate, boosting the Conservatives’ chances of reelection. Most members of Parlia- , ment believe that a military ; or diplomatic disaster for Britain in the South Atlantic would automatically spell political doom for Mrs Thatcher. Despite .all the warlike words from Whitehall in the last few’ days, a number of Conservatives fear that demands for Mrs Thatcher's resignation may increase unless she can gain a speedy and conclusive victory over Argentina, whether by guns or words. The Opposition Labour Party is divided over how far it should support the Government. Labour Left- • wingers have denounced the dispatch of the.27-ship task

force. Mr Parkinson said in a message to party workers: “This is no time for any party to score cheap political points. It is the duty of all parties to show a unity of spirit and purpose and to support wholeheartedly our armed forces in the difficult tasks they face.” The Defence Ministry said on Saturday that the British task force bound for the Falklands was "on course and on time." It is not expected to arrive in the area until next week but several British submarines are believed to be cruising off the Falklands ready to enforce the blockade. Britain received a diplomatic boost from Brussels yesterday when its nine European Economic Community partners agreed to slap a total ban on all imports from Argentina, affecting goods worth about $l.B billion a year. The United’ States Secretary of State, Mr Haig, will fly to London today with "some specific ideas for discussion” in an attempt to settle the dispute.

The announcement by a State Department spokesman. Dean Fischer, followed extensive talks between Mr Haig and Argentina's President Galtieri. Mr Fischer refused to comment when asked if Britain had agreed to postpone its announced intent to sink any Argentinian warships near the Falklands.

A spokesman for President Galtieri told reporters at a separate press conference: “No solution has been reached. The dialogue is not interrupted." He declined to comment about the timing of future negotiations. Pressed on whether Argentina or Britain had agreed to make any specific move towards ending the stalemate. Mr Fischer repeatedly declined to comment. He said Mr Haig expected to leave Buenos Aires for London before noon (3 a.m. N.Z. time). The United Nations Secre-tary-General (Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar) is cutting short a European tour “because of the international situation" and returning to United Nations headquarters. The Secretary-General, now holidaying in Italy, will return to New York today.

President Galtieri had earlier urged Britain to use restraint in the dispute, but told his people that "if they want to come, let them come — we will do battle." The 55-year-old general spoke to 100.000 cheering Argentinians from the balcony of the Presidential palace- in Buenos Aires after conferring with Mr Haig. The E.E.C.. responding to a British appeal, also banned arms sales to Argentina. Brussels sources said the import embargo could come into effect by Wednesday. Argentina's Minister of Economy (Mr Alemann) told reporters that the E.E.C. action was economic aggression. He said it would not lessen his country's resolve to retain the islands' over which it has claimed sovereignty during 149 years of British colonial rule) General Galtieri. in an impassioned statement from his palace, said to roars of applause: "The dignity and honour of the Argentine nation is not negotiable by anyone." Argentina “must "be prepared to extend its hand in peace in a gentlemanly and honourable way,” he said. “I ask the Government and people of England for moderation." In London, diplomats said the E.E.C trade ban en-

couraged optimism that combined military, economic and political pressure would persuade the Argentinian junta to negotiate under possible American mediation. It was calculated that Argentina could lose about SNZ4O million a week in trade.

Diplomats also interpreted the E.E.C. trade vote as demonstrating that Britain's partners were heavily in favour of a peaceful solution. Though British submarines are reported to be in the Falklands area already, the main British battle fleet of 27 ships is still a week to 10 days away on its 6900-mile voyage. The new Argentinian administration in the Falklands has ordered the 1800 Englishspeaking islanders to turn in their radio transmitters, official sources said in Buenos Aires. Authorities apparently were concerned that the equipment could be used for communicating with the advancing British fleet. Buenos Aires military sources have reported that Argentina has sown minefields in the special operations zone it has declared around the Falklands, but it was not clear whether they had been laid on land or in the sea. In London, the Government was still studying a

plea from a group of Falkland Islanders to be removed before hostilities break out. It was signed by 15 of the Falklands administrators and said to represent 500 of the inhabitants.

President Reagan said on Saturday that the United States stood ready to “do all we can" to end the dispute between Britain and Argentina.

Speaking by radio to the United States’from his borrowed holiday home overlooking the Caribbean Sea at Bridgetown. Barbados, the President discussed his aid programme for the Caribbean and' Central America, the Falkland dispute, and proposed cuts in tuition loans for United States college students.