Page 116 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

618 XXXIV Congresso della CommIssIone InternazIonale dI storIa mIlItare • CIHm

Within the Amphibious Task Force (FT 40) operated the Landing Force (Task Force
40.1.9, which included Task Unit (UT – Unidad de Tareas) 40.1.9. (Civil Affairs and Milita-
ry Government Task Unit). This Unit took charge of writing the communiques and obtaining
those special elements that would be necessary for the operation (national flags, disks, tape
recorders, printing and communications equipment, etc.), and also took care of their condi-
tioning for the journey. 19

On the eve of the landings on the Malvinas, the governing principles were ratified on 1
April 1982 at 6:30 p.m. by the Commander of the Landing Force in a speech to the troops
travelling on board of landing ship ARA (“Armada República Argentina”) “Cabo San Anto-
nio” (see Annex 2). 20

At 0635 hours on 2 April, the commander of the Malvinas Theater of Operations ordered
to interfere the frequency of Radio Stanley –which was a vehicle of coordination, liaison and
exchange of information between the islands’ government and population–, by transmitting
from destroyer ARA Santísima Trinidad a communique in English addressed to the British
Governor. 21

Once the clashes between the Argentine forces and Royal Marines garrison on the islands
came to an end at 10:30 a.m., with the Argentine flag already waving at the top of the
22
Governor’s house, the radio began to play military music and the first communiques were
transmitted at half-hour intervals. “The so-called “edicts” and communiqués started to
23
5. The success of the operation, apart from the taking as bloodless as possible of the target, will be obtained
if we can tilt the opinion of the population and the world in our favor, an outcome that will depend on each
of the members of this TO. A wrong move, cunningly exploited by the propaganda, may bring about a se-
rious problem at international level for the Nation whose greatness we are trying these days to enhance, both
territorially and spiritually.
19 Lieutenant Commander IM Martín Arrillaga, Chief of the Special Affairs Task Force, in Büsser, Carlos A.,
op.cit., page323/324
20 Büsser, Carlos A., op.cit., page 113. “… On those islands we will find a population to which we must give
special treatment. They are inhabitants of the Argentine territory and must therefore be treated as are all
others living in Argentina. You must observe strict respect for the property and integrity of all people. You
shall not access any private residence unless so required by military reasons. You shall respect the women,
children, old people and men. Be harsh with the enemy, but polite, respectful and kind with the population
of our territory that it is our duty to protect. If anyone commits an act of rape, robbery of pillage, I will im-
mediately impose on him the maximum penalty ….”
21 Latin American Newsletters; page16: “To the authorities of the Colonial British Government on the Malvi-
nas, from the Argentine Armed Forces: in compliance with instructions from the Argentine Government we
are before your eyes with a numerous task force. Faithful to our Western and Christian governing principles
and in order to avoid any bloodshed and property damages to the Malvinas inhabitants, we hope that you
will act with prudence for the benefit and security of such inhabitants. That is our concern.”
22 There were no dead or injured among the Royal Marines. On the Argentine side, Lieutenant Commander
Pedro Giachino was killed and two men were injured in the clash at the Governor’s residence.
23 “Edict N°1: The Commander of the Malvinas Theater of Operations hereby orders the following: 1) Anyone
who disturbs the normal course of the operation and provision of a public service will be punished with up
to 60 days imprisonment; 2) Anyone who disobeys the order to remain at his domicile whenever so indicated
will be sanctioned with up to 15 days imprisonment; 3) Anyone who, being under the effects of alcohol,