Leaders hope for cease-fire

Press, 14 May 1982, Page 6

Leaders hope for cease-fire

NZPA-Reuter Washington President Reagan and the Brazilian President (General Joao Baptista Figueiredo) have expressed hope that there will be a cease-fire in the South Atlantic and a mediated settlement of the Falklands crisis. Mr Reagan yesterday described the conflict as "one of the most serious challenges to peace this hemisphere has ever known.” The United States, linked by friendship to both countries involved in the dispute, had tried hard to prevent war and bring peace and now hoped and prayed United Nations mediation efforts would succeed, Mr Reagan said at a White House dinner honouring the Brazilian President. After the two Presidents met yesterday, General Figueiredo was quoted as saving “there would be no victors nor defeated" in a nego-

tiated solution to the Falklands crisis. Mr Reagan called their talks free and frank and said both he and General Figueiredo expressed agreement and disagreement. A senior United States official said the leaders recognised they held differing positions on the claims made .by both sides, but were very concerned about the dispute and wanted the immediate re-establishment of peace. General Figueiredo, the first Brazilian leader to visit Washington in 11 years, cut short his United States trip because of the crisis. He said he hoped for a settlement meeting the “honourable and just requirements for both sides.” Brazil supports Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the Falklands and has publicly denounced United States military and economic sanctions against the. Buenos Aires Government