Eastern European and Soviet Department: Soviet Attitude to the Falkland Islands Crisis

A file of correspondence and reports concerning the Soviet attitude towards the Falklands War. The documents cover discussions with Soviet officials on Soviet policy towards the dispute; Soviet calls for the dispute to be settled within the framework of the United Nations; and articles published in the Soviet press criticising British military action, the colonialist policies of Britain, and claims that British warships are carrying nuclear weapons. Other documents in the file cover concerns over possible Soviet arms sales to Argentina; Soviet criticism of the establishment of a 150-mile protection zone around the Falkland Islands; and Soviet reaction to the Argentine declaration of a ceasefire. The file also includes research documents covering relations between the Soviet Union and Argentina; how the current economic situation in Argentina and Latin America could be used by the U.S. to gain political influence; and the international political implications of the Falklands crisis for British foreign policy.