Page 117 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

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come in rapid succession, in Spanish at first, and then in a strange, quite unnatural sort of
English”. 24
By then, the UT 40.1.9, had already taken possession of its concrete objectives which
were the radio station, the telephone exchange and the drinking water plant, which must be

causes any alteration of the public order or harasses the military authorities will be sanctioned with 7 days
imprisonment; 4) Anyone who makes inconsiderate actions of gestures against the military forces will be
punished with 30 days imprisonment; 5) Anyone showing an irreverent behavior in front of the national
symbols will be punished with 60 days imprisonment; 6) Anyone who assumes attitudes which disturb
normal coexistence or the public order and tranquility will be punished with up to 180 days imprisonment;
7) Anyone who without a justifiable reason provides inaccurate information about events or attitudes attri-
butable to military personnel, which damage their image or cause undue alarm to any third parties will be
sanctioned with 60 days imprisonment; 8) Those military authorities which verify the commission of the
above-mentioned acts will proceed to detain any person or persons responsible therefor, and will send them
to the respective police station together with a detailed report by command. The undersigned will determine
the sanctions to be imposed and will issue the relevant communications; 9) In case of recurrence in the
commission of any of the infringements detailed herein, the sanctions will be duplicated. If the offenders are
under 18 years of age, the appearance of their parents at the police station will be required for them to be
conveniently admonished, after which they will be released from detention; 10) Anyone who commits acts
or whose behavior is contemplated by the Argentine Criminal Code, will be subject to the relevant provisions
contained therein.”
“Communiqué Number 1: The Commander of the Malvinas Theater of Operations, in compliance with the
mission entrusted by the Argentine government, hereby materializes the historical continuity of the Argen-
tine sovereignty on the Malvinas Islands. At this moment so significant for all of us, it is an honor for me to
greet the population of Malvinas and invite them to cooperate with the new authorities by complying with
the instructions to be issued through oral and written communiqués, for the purpose of facilitating the normal
life of the population. Signed by: Osvaldo Jorge García, lieutenant general, Commander of the Malvinas
Theater of Operations”.
“Communiqué Number 2: Change of Authorities: As of now, the British Government’s colonial and military
authorities are effectively removed from their positions and will be sent back to their country together with
their families and personal effects. As a consequence, it is hereby announced that lieutenant general Osvaldo
Jorge García assumes the Government of the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands”.
“Communiqué Number 3: Instructions to the Population: As a consequence of the actions carried out and
in order to ensure the security of the population, all persons shall remain in their homes until further notice.
New instructions will be issued. the population must take into account in order to ensure compliance with
these instructions that the military troops will arrest any persons found outside of their homes. In order to
avoid any problems or personal inconveniences, all persons must comply with the following: First: If a
serious problem arises and a person wishes to report it to the authorities, such person must place a piece of
white cloth on the street door. The military patrols will visit the house to be informed and provide a solution.
Second: All schools, business concerns, groceries, banks, pubs and clubs will remain closed until further
notice. Third: Any infringement will be considered as described in edict number one. Fourth: Any additional
instruction will be announced to the population through the local radio station which will remain perma-
nently in operation”.
“Communiqué Number 4: Guarantees: The Governor of the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich
Islands notifies the population that in full compliance with the principles established in the National Consti-
tution, and according to the tradition and uses of the Argentine people, it hereby guarantees: First: the conti-
nuity of the way of life of the local population; the freedom of religion; respect for private property; free-
dom to work; freedom to leave or remain on the islands; improvement of the population’s living standards;
normal supply; medical attention; normal operation of the public services. The population is also invited to
continue with their normal activities with the support of the Argentine government, in an environment of
peace and harmony”.
24 Bound, Graham; “Falkland Islanders at War”, page 87