3 in Argentina Reported Jailed for Losing War

Former President Leopoldo F. Galtieri and two of his top military leaders have been sentenced to jail terms of up to 14 years for leading Argentina to defeat in the Falkland Islands War, two Argentine news agencies reported Thursday night.

The sentences handed down by the Supreme Military Council are expected to be formally announced today, the agencies said.

The news agencies Noticias Argentinas and DYN said that Galtieri, who was both army commander and president at the time of the abortive invasion of the British-ruled Falklands in 1982, was sentenced to 12 years in jail.

14 Years for Anaya

The former navy commander, Adm. Jorge I. Anaya, was sentenced to 14 years in jail, and the former air force chief, Lt. Gen. Basilio Lami Dozo, was sentenced to 8 years.

The sentences are expected to be appealed to Argentina’s civilian federal Court of Appeals.

The charges against the former commanders were secret, but trial witnesses said they were accused of misconduct and mismanagement of operations.

Galtieri ordered a surprise attack on the disputed Falklands in April of 1982, but the Argentine invasion force was defeated in a British counterattack on land, sea and air 10 weeks later.

Of the three junta members, Anaya was believed to be the one who pushed for war most consistently, but the navy was conservative during the fighting and did not risk losing its most important vessels after a British submarine sank Argentina’s only cruiser, the General Belgrano, with a heavy loss of life.