Galtieri's crisis move

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crumbling and working class pawns in the manoeuvres of revolt reviving, it went for a the British and Argentine flag-waving nationalist gam- governments.

behind it. 1965. After 1971 they were Against a direct attack by given additional urgency by Britain on Argentina itself, the discovery of oil in the Argentina would have every seas round the Falklands. right to defend itself. But The seas round the Falkland the Falklands were not occu- Islands Dependencies and pied because they were any the nearest stretches of The Falkland Islanders minerals and in krill (shrimpwere neither a military, nor like fish). threat to Argentina. ARGENTINA has claimed the Falkland Islands for 150 years. But what led to the invasion after those 150 years was not any anti-imperialist struggle, but a cynical calculation by the junta.

With the economy bit to rally the population an economic, nor a political threat to Argentina's national rights. Their right to decide their own future interferes with no-one else's rights.

Pawns Yet they have been Negotiations started in Antarctica are also rich in Britain's claim to a huge chunk of Antarctica - the same chunk as is claimed by Argentina • - rests on its claim to the Falklands.

Neither Britain nor Argentina has gone ahead with developing the resources, because ot the disputed Claims.

Lease

A few years ago Britain offered to give sovereignty over the Falklands to Argentina in return for a leaseback arrangement, thus hoping to be able to get a chunk of the profits from the resources of the region. The deal fell through.

DAILY head of police and civil service, suspend elected council. Discussed this in press corps and wrote penetrating piece on how in times of war lines of command should be tightened and power rest in hands of government representatives.

Dismayed to receive 5000 word blast from chief foreign editor. Apparently head of civil service etc in Falklands wingeing about not wanting to get killed and how they should be evacuated. Foreign Office stressing they were not democratically elected. How was I to know they were cowards? Unfortunately my piece already gone on front page. Captain hauls me into bridge and threatens to cast me adrift in life boat. Saved by fact that all life boats were left behind to slot in one more jump jet.

Press corps silent when I repeated this. Heard some unpatriotic things hac weller nor repear! hottor not ronant!

Friday. Captain forced to reassure press about life boats. Apparently Thatcher requisitioned boats on Serpentine to row out and take us off. Spirit of Dunkirk still alive!

Saturday. Disaster! A sad day for the fleet. BBC crew run out of film. Used it all up on seagulls over starboard bow and Harriers landing on sunbathing marines. Sworn Alexander Haig's latest package proposes sharing the resources - that Is, that Britain, because of a 'colonial expedition 150 years ago, should have equal rights in the area with the country that stands nearest.

The Labour Party international committee's statement on the Falklands says:

"All actions of the British government must be directed to their (the Falklanders') protection rather than by concern for property rights (or) natural resources."

The first step in taking this principle seriously would be for Britain to repudiate all claims to the resources of the region.

Sün