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Chile was next target after Falklands in 1982, admits Argentine Brigadier

Monday, November 23rd 2009 - 11:06 UTC
Full article 13 comments

The last Argentine dictatorship headed by General Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri had plans to attack Chile following the invasion and recovery of the disputed Falklands/Malvinas Islands in 1982 revealed on Sunday the former chief of the Argentine Air Force at the time, Brigadier Basilio Lami Dozo. Read full article

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  • Miriam Lang

    Well, this isn't any surprise at all. It's well known that Chile was Argentinas target too. Before, during end even shortly after the Falkland wars. The Argentine Junta mentioned this in public during all this time since the Beagle conflict in 1977, and only after return of democracy in Argentina, in 1984 it ceased with it's wary attitude towards Chile. Therefore it seems very cynical to me, that Argentina cry's out “treason” when they refer to Chiles position during the Falkland war. Argentina itself provoked and motivated Chile to take part in the Falklands War, who did this for it's own security interest. “you harvest what you plant”

    Nov 23rd, 2009 - 09:25 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • argie

    With all possible witnesses dead, this old, retired navy man, probably an Alzheimer victim, can say whatever he believes is true, but with no weight whatsoever. Besides, no serious person can hold that it was Argentina, instead of a group of hothead military men of a de-facto government, some very keen on booze, who didn't have the slightest experience of what war was, except for their ocassional 'Santa Barbara' exercises beween each other and a few jointly with foreign forces, say, the US', when nothing was at stake or to be lost, not even face. They loved to move rolling II WW scrap from one place to another and make noise. Argentina & Chile & Peru are brothers born in the times of their independence from Spain, which we humbled by our creole armies, and moved together to our respective freedom. The limits problem with Chile was solved by the Pope, after much saber-rattling on both sides, so what is this man talking about?

    Nov 23rd, 2009 - 10:24 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • JustinKuntz

    Brigadier Dozo was one of the three leaders of the Junta in 1982, the threat against Chile was well known and ill-guarded remarks caused Chile to re-inforce their land border. It was the Argentine Government that refused to accept the ICJ judgement in 1978 and then threatened war instead.

    Nov 23rd, 2009 - 11:02 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • nitrojuan

    Chile turned the country of cowards, first for fear that Argentina intervene in the War of the Pacific, they gave us almost the whole Patagonia, then for fear of an invasion they put in the devil side, later they went to pray to the pope in order that we do not humiliate them with a war. Mama Natura is wise, they have what is deserved for them.

    Nov 23rd, 2009 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse -1
  • jorge

    I have to agree with miriam. This is well-known story. Fortunatelly, It's all in the past. We had also 33 sovereignty disputes with chile that were solved during 90's in a peacefull way with dialogue, something others round there refuse to do. One of the too few things memem did well.

    Nitro, if you allow me, chile did not give us patagonia. Patagonia wasn't chilean. They asked argentina not to intervene in the pacific war and in exchange they wouldn't intervene in the desert campaign. The rest is also a well-known story.

    Cheers

    Nov 24th, 2009 - 02:43 am - Link - Report abuse +1
  • argie

    Actually Chile never surrendered the Patagonia. Instead they managed to obtain substantial parts of it by submitting the limits differences to the Court of England (with Argentina consenting), which always gave them all they wanted. Otherwise the whole southern tip, including Tierra del Fuego and the land on both sides of the Andes, i.e. the Pacific up to Chiloe Island's latitude (the original Southern limits of the Capitania General) and the Atlantic as it is now but including the whole island of Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle channel, would have remained Argentinian. In other words they had a debt with the Crown which I imagine has been paid by now.

    The English Crown's rulings were always geopolitically inspired, to avoid one (alien) country dominating over the important maritime passages they'd use, in this case bearing well in mind the Falkland-Malvinas issue. Same as they did when they poked the embers and (with the help of the Brazilians) got Uruguay and us separated. Divide et regna. Rule the waves by waiving the Rules. Oh, yes, I know it is not exactly what the official history says.

    Finally, whoever thinks that the chileans are cowards, is absolutely wrong. And the use of such expletives here is, I'm afraid, offensive behaviour and against the fair rules that govern these threads.

    Cheers!

    Nov 24th, 2009 - 03:08 am - Link - Report abuse -1
  • Condorito

    I disagree with argie's comments on the original boundaries of the Capitania General de Chile. Regardless of what the Spanish Crown or the novel Chilean Republic might have considered the latter's boundaries, a more objective approach would contend that neither Chile nor Argentina had a legitimate claim to Patagonia. Thus, the land could have hardly 'remained' Argentine if it wasn't really part of it to begin with.

    I also disagree with him regarding his notion that the British Empire always gave Chile what it wanted: I did nothing to support Chile's efforts to contain U.S. encroachment -and later partition- of the Gran Colombia

    I certainly agree that, to some degree, Chile owes a debt of gratitude to England. Its support was fundamental to achieve full independence from Spain beyond 1818. But implying that Chilean support to the U.K. during the Falklands/Malvinas campaign is somewhat related to this debt is a misconception. The Chilean government's decision in that regard was absolutely self-serving.

    I appreciate Argie's words regarding the moral character of Chileans. Standing up to a fellow countryman in this context speaks volumes of him. They are also living proof that, regardless of our differences and past history, Argentines and Chileans can respect and learn from one another.

    I completely agree with Miriam: Lami Dozo's revelations debunk the 'Chilean treason' myth.

    Kind regards.

    Nov 24th, 2009 - 07:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander

    Yes, a well known bit of history in the time of some crazy generals all over. less wellknown perhaps is that Pinochet telephoned Mrs Thatcher early april 82 and offerred to intervene and neutralize southern Argentine airbases by a military thrust to the atlantic coast north of RioGallegos to regain his “patagonia”. Fortunatley as she did not want to be involved in the start of word war 3 Mrs T declined the offer.

    Nov 24th, 2009 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Wuzzie

    Miriam, Well said. Very good to hear honest views from Brid. Lami Dozo before he also passes on. I'm sure there are many more who would like to unload their conscience before dying of their involvement with the Argentine Government in aggression and bullying to other smaller countries plus, dare I say, to many Argentine citizens who suffered at their hands. A good start to stopping the rot that post-war youngsters may not understand because of the incessant propoganda in Argentina.

    Nov 25th, 2009 - 12:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Bubba

    Incessant socialist drivel also...

    Nov 25th, 2009 - 08:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Nicholas

    Mr. Bozo..i mean Dozo should write a book and sell it on the streets in B.A. or sell in the store where Argentines love to shop to the have the taste of American capitalism ...walmart. Lol.

    Nov 26th, 2009 - 10:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jorge

    Nicholas, you could write a book with all the crap you say! Lol.

    Nov 27th, 2009 - 04:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Nicholas

    No Jorge, I wouldn't make much money with that. There are to many books where you can read that Argentina of today is complete failure.
    oH by the way, I don't “say” just things here, I “type” my opinion and facts here. Again take off those sunglasses, so you can see your real situation of your country or perhaps, by eye glasses so you can see better in what kind of mess it “still” is after it crashed. :) LOL.

    Nov 30th, 2009 - 12:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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