Page 121 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

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ved. Such objectives would constitute some sort of an initial Government Plan aimed at a
rapid improvement of the islanders’ living conditions. 36
One of the first government actions on 13 April 1982 at 19:00 hours was the official
inauguration at Puerto Argentino of the islands’ first television channel, LU78 Canal 7 Islas
Malvinas. The channel transmitted on a daily basis from 19:00 to 21:00 hours in Spaanish
and English. Some 70/80 TV sets were sold in installments, and the programs tried to pro-
mote cultural integration.
The decision had an initially negative impact on the islanders: “How strange it seems
to have television here in Stanley. We watched the news this evening. What a load of old
rubbish it was again, cooked up by the Argentines for our benefit.” (later on the transmis-
37
sions proved to be very useful in order to entertain the people (especially the children) who
sought refuge in the bomb shelters especially during the bursts of gunfire from the British
naval artillery which caused great tension and unrest among the civil population).
The instructions received for government action were always taken into consideration,
but in due course such action started to be gradually influenced by the operational needs. On
the other hand, the measures taken by both sides exerted a conditioning influence upon each
other, thus making it necessary to carefully weigh them to ensure an appropriate balance,
especially considering the security requirements and the particular characteristics of the si-
tuation prevailing on the islands and its international repecussions as regards the image and
positions of the country in the conflict.
It was thus necessary, for example, to exercise great discretion and coordinate with the na-
tional authorities the departure and transportation via the Argentine mainland of British and
other countries’ citizens who, due to their having held positions in the colonial administration
or private reasons, had to be sent back to Britain or to their countries of origin. On certain
occasions, it was even necessary to solve their documentation or monetary problems.
It was also necessary on another occasion to relocate some 14 people elsewhere on the
islands (by sending them by helicopter to Fox Bay) because their attitude or movements ma-

36 The objectives were: To replace the Legislative Council and the Executive Council by persons with ba-
lanced opinions as regards those prevailing up to that date, characterized by an anti-Argentine position; to
ensure the continuity of education with the introduction of minimal changes related to the knowledge of the
Spanish language and the Argentine history and geography; to facilitate the departure of those inhabitants
who wished to leave the islands; to adjust the functioning of the administration of justice and other legal
issues according to the codes in force on the islands and in Argentina, considering each case in particular;
to harmonize the use of the Malvinas pound, the pound sterling and the Argentine peso with a view to
eventually institute the latter as the only legal currency; to promote the replacement of the FIC (Falkland
Islands Co.), a monopolistic company, by other national or local companies; to incorporate to the islands’
economy elements that would be beneficial for the population, such as a bank branch, credits, purchase of
discarded sheep to be slaughtered at Patagonian packing houses, etc.; to improve pasture on the islands with
the cooperation of the INTA (Argentine Institute of Agricultural Technology); to start studies to exploit the
local natural resources and install related industries, so as to increase the number of labor posts and stimulate
the settlement of new inhabitants; to ensure the normal provision of public services such as drinking water,
electricity, garbage collection, etc. and to increase public works; to ensure the normal operation of mail and
telecommunication services as much as possible according to the local conditions; to maintain the internal
supply services on the islands, ensuring an appropriate level of such services for the population. In Aguiar,
op.cit. page 90.
37 Smith, John, op.cit., page 110.