The Falklands: Two Hollow Victories at Sea

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Nonetheless, Thatcher still had staunch public support. According to recent public opinion polls, her government enjoyed 71% approval, even though the disapproval rating had risen from 20% to 25% in one week. More important, Thatcher's Conservative Party last week won a plurality of about 40% in nationwide local elections, the largest percentage of any party since age of any party since World War II. The nation was still rallying behind a leader beset by foreign foes.

For Thatcher, the signs of growing disunity among her Western European allies were more alarming than domestic doubts. Before the Belgrano sinking, Western Europe had been unanimous in supporting Britain, to the point of imposing stiff economic sanctions and suspending trade relations with Argentina. The first country to break ranks was Ireland. Immediately after the sinking of the Argentine cruiser, the Irish government declared that it was "appalled by the outbreak of what amounts to open war" in the South Atlantic, and said it was "imperative" that the U.N. become involved in settling the dispute. Irish Defense Minister Patrick Power went a dubious step further and declared that "obviously, the British are very much the aggressors now." For that, Power received a public reprimand from Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey, but the change in feelings was clear. Explained one Irish diplomat: "The level of casualties is getting so high that somebody had to take the initiative." Ireland called for an immediate meeting of the U.N. Security Council to discuss an end to hostilities.

In Bonn, a West German government spokesman declared his Cabinet's "dismay" at the toll of human life in the South Atlantic; Chancellor Helmut Schmidt was widely reported to have told the Cabinet that "there can be no blank check of solidarity with Britain." In Paris, the Socialist government of President François Mitterrand stated its "consternation" over the widening hostilities, and the French Council of Ministers called for a U.N.-negotiated settlement. The Italian government was more circumspect in its pronouncements, but popular pressure for a rethinking of all-out support for Britain was increasing; one reason was that at least 42% of Argentina's population is of Italian descent, and commercial ties between the two countries are strong.

In London, there was a growing fear that Western Europe might decide to discontinue its economic sanctions against Argentina, which must be renewed on May 17 at a foreign ministers' meeting. West Germany has already dropped hints that it might press for lifting sanctions. One Itallian source within the European Community suggested, however, that they would be renewed, but with a time limit: "No more than another month, perhaps just a couple of weeks."

Britain did retain the support of her allies at a meeting of NATO defense ministers, where Defense Secretary Nott reaffirmed Britain's willingness to cease hostilities, but only if Argentine troops were withdrawn from the islands. Failure to make that stipulation, he said, would "leave the burglar with the spoils."

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