Item WOOLLY AL 5/2 - Transcript of interview with General Alexander Haig (Al Haig), former Secretary of State, 1991

Typescript transcript of interview with Gen Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr, US Secretary of State, 1981-1982, relating to his role in attempting to mediate between Britain and Argentina following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, 2 Apr 1982, including meeting with Sir Nicholas Henderson, British Ambassador to the US, 1979-1982, concerning intelligence reports of Argentina's intention to invade the Falkland Islands, 31 Mar 1982; telephone conversation between Ronald Wilson Reagan, US President, 1981-1989, and Lt Gen Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri, President of Argentina, 1981-1982, 1 Apr 1982; the attendance of Dr Jeane Duane Jordan Kirkpatrick, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1981-1985, at the Argentine Embassy dinner (2 Apr 1982); formulation of US policy on the invasion of the Falkland Islands and discussions of the US National Security Council meeting, 6 Apr 1982; the membership of the US mediation delegation, their first visit to London (8 Apr 1982) and meetings with Rt Hon Margaret Hilda Thatcher, British Prime Minister, 1979-1990; British policy on the Falklands Islands; his visit to Buenos Aires, 9-10 Apr 1982, and encounter with popular demonstrations outside the Casa Rosada, where meetings with the Argentine government took place; talks with Argentines regarding a proposed joint administration of the Islands and the withdrawal of Argentine forces; his second visit to London (12-13 Apr 1982) and his meeting with Rt Hon Francis Leslie Pym, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, 1982-1983; his report to Ronald Wilson Reagan, US President, 1981-1989, on the progress of the talks (14 Apr 1982); the impact of the article by Carl Bernstein, published Washington Post, alleging US arms and intelligence support for the UK military operation against Argentina; his second visit to Buenos Aires (15 Apr 1982) and meeting with the Argentine Military Junta; threats of Soviet Union intervention in support of Argentina; the failure of the peace proposal of Dr Terry Fernando Belaúnde, President of Peru,1980-1985; and Haig's address to the Organisation of American States (OAS) meeting announcing US abandonment of mediation and declaring support for the British military action against Argentina. Also comments on the implications of this mission for his political career. 69pp