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While there was no disagreement at the meeting about the idea of sending Haig abroad, there were differences of opinion over the tone that the U.S. should adopt during the mission. U.N. Ambassador Kirkpatrick, a guest at the session, argued strongly that the U.S. should respect the sensitivities of the nationalistic Argentines. Her repeated point: the U.S. must not allow the Falklands issue to undermine the American interest in building a common anti-Communist front among Latin Americans.
By the time Haig left Washington for London, the British government had announced its blockade. Its military purpose, Defense Secretary Nott told the Commons, was to "deny Argentine forces on the Falklands means of reinforcement and resupply from the mainland." But the announcement also had a political purpose: to convince Washington, as well as the Argentines, that the Thatcher government was in deadly earnest about recovering control of the islands.
Arriving at London's Heathrow Airport, Haig took pains to emphasize that he had come to listen. Said he: "I don't have any American-approved solution in my kit bag. The situation is very tense and very difficult." It was "too early to say" if there was a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Still, Haig showed his sympathy for his hosts by endorsing the U.N. Security Council resolution that called for Argentina to withdraw.
For 80 minutes Haig discussed the situation with Prime Minister Thatcher in her upstairs study, then retired to the dining room for a steak-and-potatoes working meal. In all, Haig spent more than five hours with the Prime Minister. Her message, according to a top British official: "Stop talking about American even-handedness and tell the junta to obey the Security Council resolution to withdraw its forces. Only after this happens will we be prepared to talk about the future of the islands." Added a senior member of the British Cabinet: "While we want a diplomatic solution, we are absolutely determined to bring about the unconditional removal of those troops even if we have to go to war." The British did make it clear, however, that once the Argentine troops departed, the Thatcher government would be willing to enter again into almost any kind of negotiations over the islands. As a senior British official put it: "No option would be excluded."
In Buenos Aires, Haig found the Argentines in a state of high excitement. His limousine moved slowly past upwards of 150,000 flag-waving onlookers as he drove to the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, to see President Galtieri. The Argentine leader subsequently told a cheering crowd: "If the British want to come, let them come. We will take them on." He added that Argentina would "inflict punishment" on anyone who "dares to touch one meter of Argentine territory." But the discussions between Haig and the Argentines continued until late that evening. It was after midnight when Haig announced unexpectedly that he would return to London immediately for further talks with the British government. Asked if he had made progress in