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Subject: Defence (Falklands). Importance level: 1-Key.

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Info only 79 Jul 20 Fr Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Ridley's first visit, floats leaseback (ended 26 Jul)
PDF 79 Jul 21 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of conversation (Nicholas Ridley, Falkland Island Councillors) [taxation, agriculture, oil industry, nationality, cooperation with Argentina] [declassified 2012]
PDF 79 Sep 20 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") [Carrington's copy] [declassified 2012]
PDF 79 Sep 20 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") [MT comments on leaseback scheme: "I could not possibly agree to the line the Foreign Secretary is proposing"] [declassified 2012]
Info only 80 Sep 10 We Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Ridley secret meeting with Argentinians to explore leaseback (ended 11 Sep)
PDF 80 Sep 10 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of Anglo-Argentine Ministerial talks on the Falklands (Ridley-Cavandoli secret meeting near Geneva, 10-11 Sep) [leaseback with 99 year term agreed as basis to proceed] [declassified 2010]
PDF 80 Nov 7 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Cabinet: Minutes of Defence and Oversea Policy Committee - OD(80) 23rd (Falkland Islands, Health of the Alliance) [OD approves Ridley putting leaseback to Falkland Islanders] [declassified 2010]
Info only 80 Nov 22 Sa Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Ridley's second visit, urging leaseback - mixed reception (ended 29 Nov)
Info only 80 Dec 2 Tu Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: HC statement by Nick Ridley on leaseback - mauled by MPs
Audio 80 Dec 2 Tu Multimedia Key Nicholas Ridley HC: Statement by Nicholas Ridley ("Falkland Islands") [minister savaged] [audio]
PDF 80 Dec 2 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 minute to MT ("Falkland Islands: Mr Ridley's statement") [leaseback - "Mr Ridley had an awful time in the House this afternoon"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 81 Mar 13 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") [report on Anglo-Argentine talks in New York - Carrington's copy] [declassified 2012]
PDF 81 Mar 13 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") [report on Anglo-Argentine talks in New York] [declassified 2012]
PDF 81 May 13 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Defence: Nott minute to MT (views of First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Henry Leach, on defence programme) [Leach disagrees with Nott's proposals] [declassified 2011]
PDF 81 May 18 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Defence: First Sea Lord minute to MT ("The Defence Programme") ["I am confident that you will at least spare two minutes to read this note...before you and your Cabinet colleagues consider a proposition to substantially dismantle the Navy"] [declassified 2011]
PDF 81 May 18 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Defence: No.10 record of conversation (MT-Whitelaw-Carrington-Chancellor of the Exchequer-Joseph-Nott-Armstrong) ["Defence Programme"] [declassified 2011]
PDF 81 Jun 30 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Fearn minute to Ure ("Falkland Islands: Strategy Meeting") [draft record of meeting of FCO officials, Falklands Governor Hunt and UK Ambassador to Buenos Aires] [declassified 2012]
PDF 81 Sep 14 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") [state of play regarding Falklands dispute - Carrington copy of minute] [declassified 2012]
PDF 81 Sep 14 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") [state of play in Anglo-Argentine dispute] [declassified 2012]
PDF 81 Oct 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UK Ambassador to Buenos Aires letter to Fearn ("Falkland Islands Strategy") ["In effect, as I understand it, the decision is to have no strategy at all beyond a general Micawberism"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Feb 26 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of conversation (Luce, Ros and officials) ["Anglo-Argentine Ministerial Talks on the Falkland Islands: New York, 26/27 February 1982"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Feb 26 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of Anglo-Argentine Ministerial talks on the Falkland Islands in New York (First Session) [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Feb 26 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of Anglo-Argentine Ministerial talks on the Falkland Islands in New York (Second Session) [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Feb 27 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of Anglo-Argentine Ministerial talks on the Falkland Islands in New York (Third Session) [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Feb 27 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of Anglo-Argentine Ministerial talks on the Falkland Islands in New York (Fourth Session) [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Feb 27 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of Anglo-Argentine Ministerial talks on the Falkland Islands in New York (Annexes) [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 2 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Washington telegram 671 to FCO (0030Z) ("Falkland Islands") [Luce meeting with Enders] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 2 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 57 to FCO (1742Z) ("Falklands Talks: Argentine Press Comment") [separate Argentine statement undercuts agreed communique - MT copy] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 2 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 57 to FCO (1742Z) ("Falklands Talks: Argentine Press Comment") [Argentine press comment on Anglo-Argentine talks in New York] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 2 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 58 to FCO (1755Z) ("Falklands Talks") [Argentine statement following Anglo-Argentine talks in New York - Carrington copy] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 3 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 60 to FCO (1735Z) ("Falklands Talks") [further Argentine press comment following Anglo-Argentine talks in New York] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 3 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 60 to FCO (1735Z) ("Falklands Talks: Argentine Press Comment") [MT: "We must make contingency plans"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 8 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 letter to FCO ("Falkland Islands") ["On her copy of Buenos Aires telegram no. 60 of 3 March the Prime Minister minuted: "we must make contingency plans""] [declassified 2012]
Info only 82 Mar 19 Fr Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: illegal Argentine landing on South Georgia detected by BAS; London informed 20 Mar
PDF 82 Mar 20 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Governor Falklands flash telegram to FCO (1125Z) ("Illegal Landing on S. Georgia") ["shots fired Argentine flag hoisted notices in English changed to Spanish"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 23 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Military Committee minutes No.2"M"/82 (c2100Z) (English translation, Spanish transcription & Spanish original) [Costa Mendez to play for time with the British; reciprocity to be sought from US between Nicaragua & Malvinas issues] [declassified 2013]
PDF 82 Mar 24 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") ["we may now face the prospect of an early confrontation with Argentina" - MT copy] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 24 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Carrington minute to MT ("Falkland Islands") ["we may now face the prospect of an early confrontation with Argentina"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 24 We Declassified documents Key Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Military Committee minutes No.3"M"/82 (English translation, Spanish transcription & Spanish original) [decision to bring forward planning to invade the Falklands] [declassified 2013]
PDF 82 Mar 25 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO telegram 72 to UKE Buenos Aires (2030Z) ("South Georgia") [compromise proposal to regularise presence of Argentine party at Leith - "ultimate effort of goodwill"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 26 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Military Committee minutes No.4"M"/82 (c2215Z) (English translation, Spanish transcription & Spanish original) [decision to invade the Falklands] [declassified 2013]
PDF 82 Mar 27 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 110 to FCO (1400Z) ("South Georgia") ["...growing impression that Costa Mendez has been less than honest with me and that, in fact, the Argentines have been playing us along"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Mar 30 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO telegram 98 to UKE Tel Aviv (for Carrington PS) (2120Z) ("South Georgia") [two reports from secret sources of Argentine intentions; Anaya briefing to naval staff on 28 March saying incident was not contrived but had come "at a wonderful time"] [declassified Mar 2016]
PDF 82 Mar 30 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: SIS UKE Buenos Aires signal to GCHQ (1640Z) (decrypted Argentine signal) [British Naval Attaché comments: "This looks serious and suggests a recce of an invasion beach on the West of East Falkland"] [declassified May 2023]
PDF 82 Mar 30 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: GCHQ intercept of Argentine signal ("Argentine submarine force commander gives instructions relating to possible submarine threat, and also to reconnaissance mission") ["reconnaissance of the beach and/or disembarkation [word garbled]"] [declassified May 2023]
PDF 82 Mar 31 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Acting Chief of Defence Staff briefing for Nott (?before 1700Z) ("Falkland Islands") [updated military options before OD tomorrow; plus draft and criticism of it as too negative] [declassified Jul 2017]
Info only 82 Mar 31 We Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Argentine invasion learned to be imminent - likely to be Friday; MT evening meeting at her room in House of Commons
PDF 82 Mar 31 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: MT message to President Reagan (2025Z) (intelligence reports Argentine navy preparing to invade) [MT asks Reagan to intervene with Galtieri] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 1 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO telegram 48 to Port Stanley (1825Z) ("Argentine Action Against the Falkland Islands") ["We now have reliable evidence that an Argentine task force will gather off Cape Pembroke early tomorrow morning ... You (and Buenos Aires) will wish to make your dispositions accordingly"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 1 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (Reagan Library) Falklands: NSC briefing for President Reagan ("Suggested Talking Points for Telephone Call to President Galtieri") ["Maggie is a very determined woman .... The use of force by anyone will be met by force on her part"] [published 2015]
Info only 82 Apr 2 Fr Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Argentina invaded the islands
Text 82 Apr 2 Fr Speeches, interviews, etc. Key Thatcher memoirs Falklands: Argentina invades the Falklands [memoirs extract]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO note for the record (c0100Z) ("Points arising from Ministers' discussion at No.10") ["as reported by Mr Ure" - decisions made] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Argentine Presidency record of Reagan-Galtieri phone conversation (0034-0114Z) (Spanish original & transcript, with English translation) [Reagan fails to persuade Galtieri not to invade the Falklands] [declassified 2013; this copy 2015]
Text 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Rentschler MSS) Falklands: Jim Rentschler diary (imminent Argentine invasion) [Reagan calls Galtieri; writes result to MT]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: President Reagan letter to MT (0245Z) (Reagan phone call to Galtieri) [just spoken with Galtieri: "he left me with the clear impression that he has embarked on a course of armed conflict"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Reagan Library) Falklands: President Reagan letter for MT (0245Z) (his conversation with Galtieri: situation in the Falklands) [published 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (State Department) Falklands: State Department to USE Buenos Aires (0304Z) ("UK-Argentine confrontation - Secretary calls in Argentine Ambassador") [if force used "we will have to side with the British"] [declassified 2001]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (State Department) Falklands: State Department to USE Buenos Aires (0437Z) ("President's conversation with Argentine President") [use of force "would gravely compromise US-Argentine relations"] [declassified 2002]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO Defence Department minute for Foreign Secretary ("Retaking the Falkland Islands: The Political Costs") ["hard to persuade people that the game was worth the candle" - MT's copy] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO Defence Department minute for Foreign Secretary ("Retaking the Falkland Islands: the political costs") [Richard Luce's copy] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: FCO note (c1200Z) ("Falklands") [British Antarctic Survey ship RSS Bransfield intercepts Falkland Island radio saying that 200 troops have landed: "We must accept this as confirmation of an Argentine landing" - MT's copy] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Cabinet: Minutes of Full Cabinet - CC(82) 15th (1830Z) (Falkland Islands) [decision to despatch Task Force] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 2 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Hailsham MSS) Falklands: Hailsham diary (Argentina invaded the islands) ["Cecil Parkinson told me he was surprised at the invasion!!! He had been at the meetings y'day. ... One only (not me) for staying in port"] [released 2011]
Info only 82 Apr 3 Sa Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Parliament met to debate the crisis; UN SCR 502 demanding Argentine withdrawal
Audio 82 Apr 3 Sa Multimedia Key Margaret Thatcher HC S: (1019Z) [Falkland Islands] [audio]
Text 82 Apr 3 Sa Speeches, interviews, etc. Key Margaret Thatcher HC S: (1019Z) [Falkland Islands]
Audio 82 Apr 3 Sa Multimedia Key John Nott HC S: (1245Z) [Falkland Islands] [audio]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Gow notes (1310Z?) (1922 Committee Meeting: The invasion of the Falkland Islands) [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Gow notes (1310Z?) (1922 Committee Meeting: The invasion of the Falkland Islands) [transcript of Gow's notes] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of telephone conversation (1700Z) (MT-President Mitterrand) [transcript; Mitterrand expresses support for MT] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Military Committee minutes No.8"M"/82 (?2100Z) (English translation, Spanish translation & original) [decision to reinforce the Argentine garrison on the islands] [declassified 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of telephone conversation (2100Z?) (MT, King Hussein of Jordan) [seeks, and gets, Jordan's support for UN Security Council resolution] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 4 Su Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Defence Staff briefing for Chief of Defence Staff ("The Falkland Islands Invasion") [update prepared for Lewin on his return from New Zealand] [declassified Feb 2018]
Info only 82 Apr 5 Mo Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: FCO Ministers resigned, Pym new Foreign Secretary; Task Force sailed
PDF 82 Apr 5 Mo Press Key Commentary (The Times) Falklands: “We Are All Falklanders Now” [leading article urging Carrington's resignation]
PDF 82 Apr 5 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1130Z) (MT-Falklands Governor Rex Hunt-Major Norman-Major Noott) [Argentine invasion of the Falklands] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 5 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: MT note to ?Gow (appointment of new Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary) ["It was Francis or George Younger...I realise your worries"] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 5 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: Lewin minute for Nott (afternoon) ("Falkland Islands: military appreciation") [military options reflecting views of Chiefs of Staff] [declassified Feb 2018]
Text 82 Apr 5 Mo Speeches, interviews, etc. Key Margaret Thatcher TV Interview for ITN (1630Z) (Falklands)
Text 82 Apr 5 Mo Speeches, interviews, etc. Key Margaret Thatcher TV Interview for BBC (c1640Z) (Falklands)
Video 82 Apr 5 Mo Multimedia Key Margaret Thatcher TV Interview for BBC (1640Z) (Falklands) [film]
PDF 82 Apr 6 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Jopling minute to Pym (reaction within the Parliamentary Party to Falklands situation) [account of views of individual MPs] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 6 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Buenos Aires telegram 174 to FCO (1326Z) ("Falklands and Time Scale of Argentine Intentions") ["we refused to face the fact that our encouragement of total intransigence from the Islanders involved a physical risk to them"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 6 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: MT notes made during conversation with Macmillan (c1500Z) (advice on handling the crisis) [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 6 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: MT message to world leaders (1846Z) ("Falkland Islands: economic measures against Argentina") [urges support for measures to bring Argentina to act on Security Council resolution] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 7 We Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Jopling minute to Pym (further reaction within the Parliamentary Party to Falklands situation; Labour and SDP reactions) [account of views of individual MPs] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 7 We Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Washington telegram 1169 to FCO (1835Z) ("Falklands") [conversation with Haig about Kirkpatrick - "Haig said that he had no words bad enough for that person. The trouble was that she had the ear of the White House. She was a complete disaster"] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 8 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1700Z) (MT-Haig) [pre-dinner conversation: Anglo-US responses to the invasion of the Falklands] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 8 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1700Z) (MT-Haig) [pre-dinner meeting: Anglo-US responses to the invasion of the Falklands - MT annotations] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 8 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (State Department) Falklands: USE London to State Dept (1700Z) ("Secretary's Meeting with Prime Minister Thatcher April 8: Falkland Islands crisis") [MT: "impossible to be neutral in the face of unprovoked aggression"] [declassified 2009]
PDF 82 Apr 8 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1830Z) (MT-Haig) [dinner conversation: Anglo-US responses to the invasion of the Falklands] [declassified 2012]
Text 82 Apr 8 Th Declassified documents Key Archive (Rentschler MSS) Falklands: Jim Rentschler diary (US decision to launch mediation; Haig's first visit to London) [MT: "Interim authority? - to do what?"]
Text 82 Apr 9 Fr Declassified documents Key Archive (Reagan Library) Falklands: Haig telegram to State Department (0131Z) ("Memo to the President: discussions in London") ["The Prime Minister has the bit between her teeth"] [declassified 2000]
PDF 82 Apr 11 Su Declassified documents Key Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Military Committee minutes (1400Z) (Spanish original, transcript and English translation) [1. Analisis de MALVINAS; 2. Analisis di mision secreta a CUBA; 3. Informe Ministro RR.EE; 4. Resolucion Comite Militar - "The US has done nothing for Argentina. Defends Mrs Thatcher"] [declassified 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 12 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (0830-1000Z) (MT-Haig) [first meeting: discussion of Haig proposals] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 12 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1110Z) (MT-Haig) [second meeting: further discussion of Haig proposals] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 12 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1655Z) (MT-Haig) [third meeting: discussion of American draft agreement] [declassified 2012]
Text 82 Apr 12 Mo Declassified documents Key Archive (Rentschler MSS) Falklands: Jim Rentschler diary (Haig shuttle back in London) [MT: "the fleet must steam on!"]
PDF 82 Apr 13 Tu Declassified documents Key Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (0815Z) (MT-Haig) [discussion of further Argentine demands; Argentina moving closer to USSR; concerns about UK public opinion] [declassified 2012]

Documents lie at the core of this website, each one dated and sorted chronologically (by default) in search results. Most are images in PDF format of original paper documents scanned or filmed for the site. There also transcripts of speeches and interviews, press articles, photos, videos, and more. The document database contains tens of thousands of items and permits complex searching.

Files are multi-page PDFs from which most of the documents on the site are selected. All of Mrs Thatcher’s official files from No.10 are available in full on this site (paper copies are stored at the National Archives in the series PREM19), as well as most of those of Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Lawson as Chancellor (stored at TNA as series T639 and T640).

Guides are articles about key events and topics. Many were written to accompany annual releases of Mrs Thatcher’s private and party papers at the Churchill Archive Centre in Cambridge.

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