Page 115 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

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500-strong army contingent with indispensable air-force and navy support, whose action
would be aimed at cooperating with the Military Governor for control and defence of the
archipelago in case of a British reaction.
Based on these preliminary measures, General Menéndez stated that “The governing
concept was to initially introduce the indispensable changes and then proceed to gradually
implement such measures that might be convenient or necessary to integrate the islands and
their population to the rest of the country”. 16

Landing force - recovery of the isLands
After the failure of the diplimatic negotiations and the escalation of incidents in the South
Georgia, the Military Junta resolved to go ahead with the military operation to recover the
17
Malvinas. Thus, on Friday 26 March 1982, issued the order for the preparation and departure
of the military forces that would take part in the landing operation.
The Commander of the Malvinas Theater of Operations (Comandante del Teatro de Ope-
raciones Mavinas – “CTOM”), General Osvaldo Jorge García, personally transmitted to each
Chief of Element the main ideas that would govern the military operation as regards pre-
serving the islanders’ integrity and property, and anticipated the application of penalties for
noncompliance therewith. 18

16 Túrolo, Carlos M., “Malvinas – Testimonio de su Gobernador”, page 22
17 On 19 March 1982 a group of workers from an Argentine private company disembarked at Puerto Leith
with documentation as per the 1971 Agreement (Provisional Certificate). Their mission was to dismantle an
old whale factory and get hold of the scrap iron. London makes a complaint on 22 March, demanding the
withdrawal of such personnel.
18 Büsser, Carlos; op.cit.: Addition N°6:
1. The mission must be complied with on OWN TERRITORY, so it must be as bloodless as permitted by the
situation, so as to gain support among the population and worldwide approval.
2. Respect for private property, which comprises:
a. Not to cause more damages than the minimum required to comply with the mission.
b. Not to conduct operations at places where they are not justified.
c. The seizure of any elements must be avoided and, if indispensable, it must be controlled by each Task
Force.
d. The troops may not move around individually, but only in groups with commanding personnel in charge.
3. Respect for the population, which includes:
a. Firm treatment, but with all due respect deserved by a citizen who is not an enemy, but a person born at a
place usurped by a state nearly a century and a half ago.
b. Special care in the treatment of all women.
c. Acceptance of the freedom of religion, for which reason all temples must be treated as our own. Bear in
mind that the Roman Catholic religion is professed by a minority.
d. The administration of justice to the population will be exclusively exercised by the Military Govern-
ment, for which reason any infringement must be reported through hierarchical channels, and the military
personnel must refrain to act per se, unless in compliance with a concrete mission which encounters some
difficulty.
e. Any English symbols exhibited at public places must be replaced by their Argentine equivalents with the
authorization of the corresponding CFT, but with all the usual formalities. The flag of the most important site
in the town shall be replaced in a ceremony presided over by the CTOM and with the presence of the three
FFtt commanders.
4. Any noncompliance with this order will be subject to the penalties determined to that effect by the Laws
and the Military Regulations.