[M1903A1]

That’s odd...I had always understood that Reagan had offered to assist the British in taking the islands back.

[Hawthorn]

>> I had always understood that Reagan had offered to assist the British in taking the islands back <

Apparently there was a lot of disagreement among the highest USG officials. Most notably, the late Jeanne Kirkpatrick and Alexander Haig were reputed to have been strongly pro-Argentinian and anti-British during the crisis. But Reagan eventually swung decisively behind Thatcher.

[cardinal4]

We DID help them..

[agere_contra]

That’s right - the first time I warmed to the US (long, long ago now) was when I heard about Caspar Weinberger offering the use of an American aircraft carrier.

This ‘reveal’ doesn’t say anything except that “competent government agencies prepare for contingencies”, which is not a shock to anyone.

[naturalman1975]

The United States certainly did provide assistance to the UK during the Falklands War - and made it clear through back channels that it would provide more if necessary. But the US wanted to maintain a good relationship with Argentina if possible, so it was understood that while, of course, the US would choose to back Britain over Argentina if it became necessary, it would be preferable if that choice could be avoided. So most of the support was kept quiet - intelligence information, access to latest US weaponry etc. But significantly, given that the UK was relying very heavily on its two aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible, to the extent that if either of them were lost, the mission to retake the islands would be likely to fail, the US offered, in secret, to loan the British the USS Iwo Jima (an amphibious assault ship designed to operate as a Harrier Carrier) if either of the British carriers were lost or damaged. While it proved unnecessary as neither Hermes nor Invincible were damaged, this was an extremely important factor in British planning - it allowed them to take a much bolder approach going forward which made the mission both easier and safer.

This wasn't all the assistance provided but it was by far the most significant offer and the one that made it very clear whose side America was on if push came to shove.

Not so neutral after all: Ronald Reagan made secret plans to loan U.S. warship to Britain if aircraft carrier was lost during Falklands War

As for the reports in this article - there was nothing wrong with the United States trying its best to negotiate a peaceful settlement even while being willing to support the British if the conflict continued.

[trebb]

That’s odd...I had always understood that Reagan had offered to assist the British in taking the islands back.

That can't be - it would mean the "Intelligence" Agencies had their own plans and thought they were running things...........oh.....wait....