Clouds Over the Falklands

Argentina has turned to the United Nations Security Council in its anger about British military exercises around the Falkland Islands--a move that demonstrates the continued commitment of Argentina’s democratic government to a peaceful solution of the 155-year-old dispute. It is appropriate and also a reassurance that the lessons of the war, launched by Argentina’s military rulers, have not been forgotten.

Perhaps Britain will be able to justify these exercises when the council convenes. On their face, however, they seem an unnecessary provocation hardly designed to strengthen the hand of Raul Alfonsin as he struggles to consolidate democratic forces in Argentina.

Britain remains adamant in its refusal to negotiate the sovereignty of the Falklands, which the Argentines call the Islas Malvinas. Its options are obviously limited by the apparent determination of the 1,800 residents of the islands to remain there as subjects of the British crown. But the six years since the war have been marked by no British initiative to create a better climate in relations. The imposition of the 150-mile fishing zone in 1986 and now the Fire Focus military maneuvers have served to make matters worse.

There is one faint hope that the effect of the maneuvers will not be entirely negative. The object is to test London’s ability to reinforce its garrison in the event of hostilities. There were only 43 on duty when Argentina attacked in 1982. An enlarged airport has now been completed to facilitate resupply. But the garrison also has been expanded to 2,000, a number that seems as excessive as it is menacing. Perhaps the maneuvers, and Alfonsin’s clear commitment to the peaceful resolution of the historic dispute, will serve at least to bring substantial cuts in the number of troops.