Falklands loom large in Argentine view of Thatcher
The former British prime minister's lack of popularity in Argentina has to do with personally ordering the sinking of the Belgrano warship during the 1982 Falklands War, killing 323 Argentines.
The former British prime minister's lack of popularity in Argentina has to do with personally ordering the sinking of the Belgrano warship during the 1982 Falklands War, killing 323 Argentines.
Margaret Thatcher, who died today at the age of 87, was a hugely divisive figure in Britain. Supporters say her free-market policies brought the country economic prosperity while critics despise her for closing coal mines, forcing people out of work, and eroding the welfare state.听
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In Argentina, however, there is a consensus: Mrs. Thatcher is loathed.
The former British prime minister's lack of popularity in this southern cone nation has to do with having personally ordered the sinking of the Belgrano warship during the 1982 Falklands War. Some 323 Argentines died as a result.
鈥淣obody here is going to be very upset [at her passing],鈥� says Andr茅s Udvari, a newspaper seller in his 60s.
听Britain鈥檚 defeat of Argentina in the 74-day conflict boosted Thatcher鈥檚 ailing popularity at home and helped propel her to re-election. But her decision to torpedo the Belgrano was hugely controversial since the ship was outside the 200-mile exclusion zone surrounding the islands. Many here consider the order illegal.
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鈥淪inking the Belgrano ended the possibility of a peaceful solution to the conflict,鈥� says Ernesto Alonso, president of the National Commission for Malvinas Veterans. Argentina refers to the Falklands as the Malvinas.
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鈥淪he took the decision knowing it would impede any chance of negotiation,鈥� said Francisco Pestanha, a historian at the University of Buenos Aires.
Opposed to invasion
The government of the Falkland Islands today issued a statement thanking Thatcher for her 鈥渄ecisiveness in sending a task force to liberate our home.鈥�
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The 2,800 Islanders reaffirmed their desire to remain a British Overseas Territory in a referendum last month. Argentine President Cristina Fern谩ndez de Kirchner has waged a diplomatic assault in an attempt to force the United Kingdom to negotiate sovereignty.
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Her battle, however, is a peaceful one. Argentines today are utterly opposed to another invasion, which the military dictatorship used in 1982 to whip up nationalist pride and distract from a collapsing economy.
The dictatorship's plan was for the invasion to spark negotiations: Britain's military response was unexpected. Thatcher鈥檚 decision to send a task force, leading to all-out war and the deaths of nearly 1,000 troops, will forever be criticized here.
鈥淭hatcher was bloodthirsty,鈥� says Mercedes Castillo, a school secretary in Buenos Aires. 鈥淪he hurt the Argentine people deeply.鈥�