White House, Secret Situation Room immediate cable
This message is from the U.S. Ambassador in London:
"Summary: With South Georgia retaken, HMG [Her Majesty's Government] is now looking toward additional military steps to build pressure for a settlement on British terms. For the moment Mrs. Thatcher has a relatively free hand. Given her own uncompromising mood, we expect her to force the military race. Choosing additional steps in the near term to minimize risk and maximize public impact. End summary.
"We believe that HMG considers an all out assault on the Falklands a last resort. To keep military pressure on the Argentines HMG could follow up the South Georgia success with a series of military actions including one or more of the following:
1. Unconventional warfare.
2. Targets of opportunity: With the maritime and perhaps, air exclusion area now established, the British have the capability to attack Argentine naval vessels in the exclusion zone… We suspect that the British hope that the Argentines offer such targets of opportunity over the next few days…"
APRIL 27, 1982 – SECRETARY HAIG RELEASES HIS FINAL PROPOSAL TO OFFICIALS IN LONDON AND BUENOS AIRES: AN IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES, ARGENTINE REPRESENTATION IN ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, AND FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT SOVEREIGNTY.
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