MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

The Voice of the Falklands recalls the Argentine invasion

Patrick Watts wanted to keep a British presence on the air during the war

Sky News Michelle Clifford interviewed Patrick Watts, who recalls the night of the invasion 30 years ago and how he kept running the only radio station in the Falklands during the 74 days of Argentine occupation.

Thirty years ago this week Argentine forces attacked the Falkland Islands, starting a war which would last 74 days and claim more than 1,000 lives on both sides.

On the night of the invasion radio broadcaster Patrick Watts was ordered by the Islands' governor to stay on air and keep residents informed about what was happening.

“At around two o'clock the Governor Rex Hunt called me and said all attempts to stop the Argentines invading the Falklands had failed and we can expect them by dawn,” Patrick said.

“Those words hit me hard and I started to shake pretty hard.”

But he continued broadcasting. As the assault started worried Islanders called in relaying what they could see - tanks, troops and the Argentine flag flying.

But Patrick remembers one caller in particular, who said: “I can see the stars.”

Patrick told him: “For goodness sake don't stay outside. Get inside.”

The man responded: “No, I am looking through the roof. There is a hole in the roof.”

Patrick smiles at the memory now but admits to being scared. A shot of cognac helped him through and steeled him for the moment he had been expecting.

At around 9am on April 2, 1982, he heard the thud of boots in the corridor outside his studio.
Six Argentine soldiers entered the room and pointed their guns at his back. It was then that, over the airwaves he uttered arguably the most potent words of his career.

Patrick said: “I barked 'Stop that racket'. They were shouting and smoking and I told them to shut up, put the cigarettes out. I then insisted they take the guns from my back. I said I couldn't broadcast with guns at my back.”

Remarkably, the Argentines co-operated and so began a relationship that would last for weeks - Patrick acting as a conduit of information for the Falkland Islands' people, but with the occupying Argentines calling the shots.

He broadcast information and updates. Ask any local around at the time and they will have listened to him.

“It was amazing how well prepared the Argentines were. They had tapes they wanted me to play in Spanish and English with their various edicts on.

”A week later we were being made to drive on the other side of the road. The penalty for not doing so was arrest and people needed to know that.

“The currency changed. They were speaking Spanish in schools. If you were sick you had to put a white flag in the window. These were all things people needed to know.”

Even now, 30 years on, he is still sensitive to the charge that he should not have co-operated, insisting it was important to keep a British presence on the air in order to keep residents informed.

He left his post to be with his family only towards the end of the invasion when the British bombardment intensified.

But he returned to the Falkland Islands' station on the morning the skies fell silent.
“It was like someone flicked a switch and everything stopped. Just like that. No more noise,” he said.

“My curiosity got the better of me and I came up to the radio station. The door was wide open, the place was in darkness. The Argentines had just walked out, got on a Red Cross ship and I never saw them again.”

As soon as he got power back at the station, Patrick went on air and played Land Of Hope And Glory and God Save The Queen.

He can't remember in which order but he does remember clearly what he said.

“'You are listening to the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Station. No longer LR60 Radio Nacionales Las Malvinas', I am pretty sure that is what I said.
”And it was great to say that. It really, really was.”

He reflects now on the irony that it was the war which shaped a more successful Falklands.

Prior to 1982 the UK Foreign Office was showing little interest or investment in these parts and Patrick knows it was a conflict which helped shape his career.

Patrick Watts will forever be known here as the voice of the Falklands.

Link to Sky’ Michelle Clifford interview:
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16200173