MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Crucial Anglo-Argentine period
Two former British diplomats who exerted significant influence on important events in the United Kingdom's relations with Latin America have died.
Sir Jock Taylor, who has died aged 78, was ambassador to Venezuela from 1975 to 1979, and earlier Minister for Commercial Affairs in Argentina at a crucial period of Anglo-Argentine relations, for three years from 1969. In this post he would have been involved in negotiations leading to the Falklands communications agreement by the Heath Government allowing Argentine access and flights after failure of the attempt to establish a controversial Anglo-Argentine memorandum of understanding indicating British willingness to cede sovereignty of the Falklands Islands under certain conditions. Later, as Ambassador to Venezuela, John Lang Taylor had an opportunity to exploit his Latin American experience, his knowledge of energy issues and his export promotion skills. He also starred in a television film called "Our Man in Caracas" attempting to explain what diplomats do. His father, John William Taylor, was Ambassador to Mexico in the 1950s. In 1979, Sir Jock was appointed Ambassador to the Netherlands in succession to Sir Richard Sykes murdered by the IRA, then Ambassador to Germany in Bonn. In retirement, he was chairman of a Latin America trade advisory group and served on the council of Canning House in London promoting relations with Latin America.
Another expert in Latinamerican affairs Peter McEntee,who has died aged 82, was Governor and Commander in Chief of the British colony of Belize in Central America, which faced a similar threat of invasion as the Falklands Islands in the early 1980s. It came from neighbouring Guatemala, which was also pursuing a territorial claim on British territory. Like Argentina, Guatemala was ruled by a cruel military dictatorship and had powerful armed forces. However, unlike in the Falklands, the United Kingdom swiftly strengthened the British garrison there at Governor McEntee's request when intelligence suggested invasion was imminent. British infantry and artillery were promptly reinforced by a flight of Harrier jump-jets which were welcomed by the Belizeans and ended the Guatemalan threat. Peter McEntee also organised the evacuation of British bankers through Belize after their release by a terrorist organisation in El Salvador for ransom payment. Belize later gained independence and Guatemala dropped its claim. McEntee lived in Kenya as a child, fought in the British Army against the Japanese in Burma, and served as a diplomat in Nigeria during the Biafran War and as Consul General in Pakistan.
Harold Briley, London
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