La guerre des Malouines dans les relations internationales

Dixième partie - L’enjeu des Alliances Anglaises
Margaret Thatcher lança d’ailleurs un appel au Premier ministre Tony Blair pour la libération
de l'ex-dictateur Augusto Pinochet, l’ex-Premier ministre déclara alors que Pinochet était un
« grand ami » de la société britannique et que, pendant la guerre, il avait contribué à sauver
« de nombreuses vies britanniques » :
« Chile is our oldest friend in South America. Our ties are very close and have
been ever since Admiral Cochrane helped free Chile from oppressive Spanish
rule. He must be turning in his grave to see Britain now encouraging Spain's
arrogant interference in Chilean affairs. Pinochet was this country's staunch,
true friend in our time of need when Argentina seized the Falkland Islands. I
know - I was Prime Minister at the time. On President Pinochet's express
instructions, and at great risk, Chile provided enormously valuable
assistance. I cannot reveal the details, but let me mention just one incident.
During the Falkland War the Chilean airforce was commanded by the father
of Senator Evelyn Matthei, here with us this evening. He gave us early
warning of Chilean air attacks which allowed the task force to take defensive
action. The value of the intelligence was proved when it stopped. One day,
near the end of the conflict, the Chilean long-range radar had to be switched
off for overdue maintenance. That same day - Tuesday 8th June, a date etched
in my heart - Argentinean planes attacked and destroyed our ships the Sir
Galahad and Sir Tristram. They were landing ships with many people aboard
and they left us with heavy casualties.
Altogether some 250 members of our armed forces lost their lives during the
Falkland War. Without President Pinochet there would certainly have been
many more. We all owe him, and Chile, a great debt of gratitude. But how did
the authorities under this Labour Government chose to repay it? I will tell you
- by collaborating in Senator Pinochet's judicial kidnap. 9 »
Mais revenons à la collaboration des deux pays pendant le conflit des Malouines, la
Grande-Bretagne fit également courir des rumeurs pour détourner les forces militaires
argentines des Malouines, particulièrement celle qui affirmait que les Britanniques
envisageaient une intervention armée sur le territoire argentin.
9 The Guardian, Wednesday 6 October 1999 “Pinochet was this country's staunch, true friend” extract
of Margaret Thatcher's speech to the Blackpool fringe.
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