Anger in Argentina over Falklands loss

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 1

Anger in Argentina over Falklands loss

NZPA-Reuter Buenos Aires contrast with a huge proArgentina’s President Leo- Government rally held ini, poldo Galtieri, speaking after April in the same square police fought an angry crowd soon after Argentinian troops accusing him- of betrayal seized the Falklands. over the Falkland Islands, In his brief speech, -Presilast evening announced that dent Galtieri said: "The the battle for Port Stanley battle for Puerto Argentino was over. has ended. Our soldiers

In a sombre address bn national television during which he never used the word, “surrender," President Galtieri said Argentina was t not abandoning its claim to the Falklands and that Britain would have- to, consider negotiating over sovereignty to ensure peace. A few hours before, the police fired dozens of tear-, gas volleys to disperse an angry crowd of about 7000 demonstrating against the surrender to the British forces. The demonstrators, labelled by officials as a small group of activists, chanted “Sons' of bitches” and “The military dictatorsfiip is going to end” while standing before the presidential palace. Thousands fled in all directions as the police charged, wielding rubber batons, in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de Mayo square. Scores of people, including two Argentinian press photographers, were beaten by the police in running skirmishes. The demonstration was in

fought with ' supreme effort for the dignity of the nation.” He said Britain “had to accept that the situation, of the islands. could not return to that which existed before April 2, in which case we would maintain our attitude to negotiate a way to regain our sovereignty.” Argentinian troops had faced with more courage than arms the overwhelming superiority of a power supported by the military technology of the United .States. The Argentinian press ran banner headlines announcing a cease-fire and published at length British accounts of the situation in the islands, but the word, “surrender,” did not appear on the newspapers’ front paghs. Editorials generally echoed . official statemerits emphasising the .political framework of the war and saying that the' seizing of the islands - had succeeded in turning the dispute: into a major world . diplomatic issue. In Britain, a wave of pride and elation swept .over, the

country as citizens delighted in the news of victory. . In cities everywhere, plans were announced for celebrations, many of them to commemorate the return of the Falklands forces. In Plymouth, home of many of the servicemen, there was dancing in the streets until early in the morning.

the islands back to normal as quickly as possible, in spite of. the difficult conditions with the onset of the Antarctic winter.”

Mrs Thatcher pledged that Britain would uphold its commitment to the security of the islands. She said she did not exclude the possibility of associating other countries with this. She confirmed that the British forces now held 15,000 Argentinian! prisoners in addition to . the 1400 already repatriated. With the l help of the International Red Cross, Britain was taking urgent , steps, to safeguard the prisoners and hoped 4o evacuate them as soon as possible.

' ’ “Somehow we had come to accept second best as our national status,” said the Right-wing “Daily . Mail” newspaper. “Every back in Britain is a little / bit straighter today.” Support for what was done in the Falklands has become more universal than at any point during the fighting. Even liberal politicians and newspapers, from whom mutterings of discontent have occasiorially come in the last 10' weeks, offered nothing- but praise for the Prime Minister (Mrs Thatcher) and her handling of the crisis.

Mrs Thatcher said -the Government was urgently, seeking confirmation from the Argentinian Government, through the Swiss s Government, that the Argentinians considered all hostilities in the South Atlantic at an end!

Mrs Thatcher yesterday, firmly ruled out any. negotiations, with Argentina on the future of the Falklands and rejected a United. Nations trusteeship for the islands. “I do not intend to! negotiate on the sovereignty of the islands in any way except with the people who live there,” she told a packed House of Commons.

“It is important that this should be established with clarity and without delay," she said. Some Argentine commanders would be held until such confirmation was received. Mrs Thatcher said final details of British casualties were not yet known but 250 British servicemen and civilians had been killed.

“We must now bring life in

Further reports,: page 8.