Argentina says its war with Britain not over

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 1

Argentina says its war with Britain not over

NZPArßeuter Buenos Aires Argentina has given a clear indication that the Falklands war with Britain is not over, saying that the present cease-fire applies only to its troops on the islands.

But there is a growing criticism of the ruling military junta after the Argentinian surrender, and the Foreign Minister, Dr Nicanor Costa Mendez, has offered to resign amid signs of disunity within the Government. In its first detailed attempt to offer an angry public an explanation for the defeat, the military command said that British forces had enjoyed overwhelming technological superiority. It said in a communique that Argentina’s military governor on the Falklands, Brigadier-General .. Mario Menendez, had agreed to Monday’s cease-fire to avoid further bloodshed

But it quoted the general as saying the truce applied only to the troops under his command, implying that Argentina did not consider that all hostilities had ceased.

The military communique echoed a speech by President Leopoldo Galtieri on Tuesday, when he said it was up to'Britain to establish the basis of lasting peace by opening negotiations on Argentina’s sovereignty claim on the Falklands or face “constant insecurity” in the area. Calm meanwhile returned to Buenos Aires after publicanger at Argentina’s defeat caused the worst street disturbances in the capital since, the military seized power in 1976,' but the former President Mr Arturo Frondizi,” joined mounting-criticism of the Government, saying, it had incorrectly assessed the military balance, “and we were thrust into a war which could not end in any other way.”

A spokesman for Dr Costa Mendez said that the Minister had tendered his resignation to pave the way • for a Government reshuffle. It was not immediately clear whether General Galtieri had accepted it. The Foreign Minister, the

only senior official to have used the word, “surrender," in connection with the Argentinian defeat, was reported by the evening newspaper, “La Razon,” to have been criticised in some military quarters. The independent news agency, Noticias Argentinas, quoted sources close to the Air Force as saying it was saddened by news reports about the police crackdown in Tuesday night’s disturbances. ’ ■

In another sign of disunity, the Deputy Interior Minister, Colonel Bernardo Menendez, was quoted as wondering who had issued the call for a mass rally outside Government House, due to be addressed by General Galtieri but cancelled at the last minute because ,of the violence.

A grouping of five of Argentina’s most important political parties boycotted a meeting between the Interior Minister, Major-General. Alfredo. Saint Jean, and politicians to discuss the Falklands conflict and plans to restore democracy in Argentina.

It said General Galtieri had failed to give a timetable for a return to civilian rule in his speech on Tuesday. ■ \

. It was reported from London yesterday that General Menendez had deleted the word, “unconditionally,” before ,• signing the . /surrender document ,on Monday evening.-

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said last evening that the word- had no particular significance and there was no reason for Major-General Moore to insist that it be left in.

The Ministry said the document presented, to General Menendez for his signature on Monday had begun: “I, the undersigned, commander of all the Argentine land, sea and air forces in the Falkland Islands uncondi-

tionally surrender to MajorGeneral J. J. Moore, as representative of Her Majesty’s Government.”

The Ministry said General Menendez crossed out “unconditionally” and initialled the deletion before signing at the bottom of the page.

The brief document 'continued: “Under the terms of this surrender, all Argentine personnel in the Falkland Islands are to muster at assembly points which will be nominated by General Moore and hand over their arms, ammunition, and all other weapons and warlike equipment as directed by General Moore or appropriate British officers acting on his behalf.

“Following the surrender, all personnel of the Argentinian forces will be treated with honour in accordance with the conditions set out in the Geneva Convention of 1949. /'

“They will obey any directions concerning movement and in connection with accommodation. “This surrender is to be effective from 2359 hours zulu (GMT) on June 14, (2059 local) and includes those Argentine forces presently deployed in and around Port Stanley, those others on East Falkland, West Falkland, and all the outlying islands.” The document was signed by the two generals and witnessed by Colonel ■ Brian Pennicott, a staff officer of the British forces.

Argentina’s military Government said yesterday that Britain had gained a- partial triumph in the Falkland Islands, thanks to night-fight-ing technology totally new and unknown in world arms markets.

The ruling junta, ' in its 166th communique on the undeclared war, did not acknowledge defeat or announce a complete cessation of hostilities, the condition that Britain has said must be

met before all Argentine prisoners are repatriated.. But the communique did give the Argentinian people their first official account of the decisive battle of the campaign, an account that emphasised Britain’s superior wealth and equipment and insisted that Argentinian forces displayed professional competence, bravery, and spirit. According to the communique, the British launched their final offensive at 10.30 p.m. last Sunday after a 12-hour artillery barrage .

Further reports, P 6

In the attack, the British exploited their technological capacity to function at night, which was facilitated by the use of special equipment for night vision) including visors and infrared sights, portable missile guidance systems, laser aiming devices, and discardable)'individual mortars. -c The attack was completed with the support of helicopters outfitted for night work, which gave the enemy a great mobility with a minimum of troop losses, the communique said. , . By dawn, the.communique: said, the controlled’ the key high points round the :.tOWn > . ’’ used. . its reserve troops until the situation became unsustainable. A de facto cease-fire had taken hold by mid-after-noon on Monday, and the . commander of the garrison, General Mendoza, concluded that it was impossible to continue’ resisting without producing .a useless bloodW’ •••■

The communique made no mention of British reports that Argentinian soldiers turned and ran into Port Stanley, where white flags were raised, Argentinian troops stationed on the Falkland. Islands never numbered more than 9000, according to military sources in Buenos Aires. Commenting on British estimations that the troops numbered 15,000, the sources said that the British statements were perhaps aimed at justifying the high cost of the’ expedition. The sources also said that arrangements could mot yet be made to repatriate the .Argentine forces on.the Falk- , lands because tliere were’no communication links ■ be- : tween Buenos Aires’ and Port Stanley. ■’" ■