MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil helped Soviet support operation for Argentina during the Falklands conflict
Brazil collaborated during the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict in an operation mounted by the Soviets to supply Argentina with spares, arms, munitions and other requirements according to the Rio do Janeiro newspaper O’Globo based on disclosed documents from the National Security Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesIs anyone suprised at the revelation?
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 10:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0Not really and as the article states the UK was aware of all of these supposed clandestine operations.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 11:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0Still its interesting to see Argentina was supported by quite a few SA countries during the conflict.
I attended a British English school (The Grange) and we were completely cheering for the UK. (My older cousins were serving in the navy during the build up of the near war in 1978, so the feeling was that Argentina needed to be defeated. (We actually though at the time of the invasion that Briton would never be able to recover the islands. We were awed by the superiority of Argentina, including their aircraft carrier.)
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 12:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0#1 No #2 This was well monitored by Chile and the UK during the conflict. The mirror side of the story is the clandestine support for the UK via France (They played both sides), the Americans, the Belgians and of course all coordinated with private contractors in the south of Chile.
I was not in the naval service until much later after the war, but it was no secret. In our officer's club there is a display case with a number of authentic combat knives on display: The Argentine Cuchillo de Paracaidista, a Finnish WWII Puukko, the SAS Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting dagger and USMC K-bar, but the the most difficult was an authentic was a Kukri of the Gurkhas as all the knives on display have been traded exchange for a Chilean Corvo. None of the knives is a reproduction.
During the Falklands war we were getting new radar, crated Hawker Hunter jets, missiles, spare parts, anything we wished. Supposedly when the British special liaison officer was asked for an authentic Kukri, he rolled his eyes and said that the Nepalese were not very friendly about exchanging knives. About a fortnight later we received several without any problem and a note of thanks for our Corvos. It seems they fully expected to be operational in Patigonia and were very enthusiastic in fostering good relations with our combat troops. The SAS sent only one dagger, but it is truly beautiful.
A sad comment is the treatment of innocent Chilean and Argentine nationals in Patagonia by both our governments as espionage suspects. Really disgraceful!
There's an obvious moral to this story.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 12:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If you want to buy equipment to win a war go NATO rather than eastern block.
#4: Agreed that given Chilean intel appeared to be useful to Britain (such as informing about Belgrano attack plan), old adage about choosing your friends and enemies wisely is key. Many criticize Britain for accepting cooperation from Pinochet, but what about Soviet weapon resupply to Argentines? Given Soviet's Cold War public position, seems odd.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 01:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Even today, Russian Middle East arms trade and conviction of Russian billionaire arms dealer Viktor Bout in US suggests ongoing weapons trade interests and evolving nature of who is trading weapons with whom.
Interesting that while China is supporting G77 position demanding “negotiations” over Falklands, Russia appears quiet. Perhaps because Russia wouldn't really want any comparison of Falklands to their Kaliningrad exclave or Kurile Islands dispute with Japan?
Nothing about this surprises me but it is interesting. Argie bloggers constantly whine about the support given to Britain by the United States and Chile. We have been aware for some time of the Soviet support. But now we learn of support by Angola, Brazil, Cuba, Libya and Peru. So argieland was getting support from three times as many countries as Britain. And still they couldn't win!
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 02:34 pm - Link - Report abuse +1It is also interesting to note that the Soviet Union's attitude toward the West, particularly Britain, changed markedly after the Falklands War. Like the US Navy, the Russians thought that Britain couldn't do it. Showed 'em all. Britain versus a 'loose' coalition of seven countries and Britain won! Best to think of one member of the British armed forces being equal to at least six from any other country.
Something argies might like to think about before trying again. Next time, the British response will not be 'local', i.e. the Falkland Islands. Next time, we will be coming for you!
If the Argentine aggression surfaces again then no doubt we'd have an even better picture of the clandestine transports, it would all be track-able through amazon.com.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 02:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 05 John N:
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 03:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Or China's Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.
BAOR went from Russian intelligence estimate form harmless
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 03:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0to chuck two shock army's at it :)
the Vulcan that ended up in rio wasn't going anywhere quickly anyway.
the crews main concern was keeping the Brazilians form poking about with the armed and hung up shrike missile.
not because it was that secret but untrained and ready to go bang missiles not a good idea.
#6
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 05:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0An interesting fact, it was noted by several NATO spy agencies that the soviet army reinforced it's troop numbers along the british controled zone in Germany after the end of the conflict.
No surprises from any of this, trust has to be earnt and I wouldn't trust the countries mentioned with my toilet contents back then or today.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0| 6 |
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 06:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Time to sleep for you ...
Now ..11.06 pm in India....
Oily dreams.......
This is all so boring. Britain won the war.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse +1The islands are British
Argentina will be ruing “ If only” scenarios for ever more...
“If only we had bought more missiles from Libya”
“If only Capt Bonzo had ordered battle stations on the Belgrano”
“If only the bombs had worked ”
Yawnnnnn
'The clandestine logistics operation was organized with the help of Cuba, '
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 08:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This is interesting because some of the more enthusiastic Argentine journalists during the war claimed that Britain was bring aided by Cuba and Cuban troops.
Conclusion : Argentina still lost the Falklands war even with super power help.
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 08:29 pm - Link - Report abuse +1still nice for the Falklanders to know who their friends really are and who is worth trading with.
Argentina will not get them
Apr 23rd, 2012 - 09:46 pm - Link - Report abuse +1As for [real] support
Russia has its own problems with claims,
China has problems, now, in the south chine seas
South American nations have their own problems keep argentine arrogance at bay,
And Cuba, no interest,
So what has CFK really and truly got to back her?
Timerman and a credit card,
Full stop.
.
15 Not worth trading with Argentina , they have no money to pay for things .Anyway, they don't need trading partners , or so they keep telling everyone.
Apr 24th, 2012 - 07:30 am - Link - Report abuse +1@16 briton,
Apr 24th, 2012 - 09:23 am - Link - Report abuse +1They couldn't afford to make minimal payments on their credit card.
@17 UPirate,
Agreed, don't have anything to do with them.
Let them stew in their own juices.
@6 Conqueror,
Exactly so,
Next time we won't just expell you Argentines, but we will track you down to your lair. Be warned.
@18 Isolde.
Apr 24th, 2012 - 01:56 pm - Link - Report abuse +1There won't be a next a next time. They invaded because they thought we did not have the resolve to defend the Islanders rights. They were wrong then and their national phsyci has been affected ever since. There's no mistaking our resolve now. They only have to look towards the islands and it's there, right in front of their faces. Try it again and they will have their military balls handed back to them in a basket and what's more, they know it.
@19 reality check,
Apr 24th, 2012 - 09:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Hope you're right, but no-one can guarantee the future.
l don't trust them at all. No-one does.
lf a war ever broke out in Europe & Britain was distracted, the RGs would be in the Falklands in the blink of an eye.
We must never relax our guard.
Having said that,
Apr 24th, 2012 - 09:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Even if the Argies did invade and retook the islands, and the British government fell,
we still think that a British force can would, and will descend to the Falklands and re-take them, yes, with considerable loss of life, and certainly the mainland may well get stripped, but we think British pride would compel us to re-take them,
Just my opinion.
I do not know why everybody is getting so excited about this subject. The outcome is quite predictable. In about 25 years time Brazil will tell the Brits to get lost. And they will. The Malvinas will then be taken over by Argentina.
Apr 25th, 2012 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse -1Yep and aliens will descend upon brazil and award them the new earth for bravery,
Apr 25th, 2012 - 11:14 pm - Link - Report abuse +1Yep even flying asses and smell tell that one .
.
I do not know why you think the Brazilians will need to be brave. They will not. The Brits will do as they're told.
Apr 26th, 2012 - 04:44 am - Link - Report abuse -1@24 Hepatia,
Apr 26th, 2012 - 09:45 am - Link - Report abuse +1You don't say?
ln about 25 years the Falklands will be independent, the British will be based in South Georgia & exploiting Antarctica's resources.
lt's possible that Brazil will rule northern Argentina & Chile will rule the rest.
l would imagine that the Argentines will then be doing as they're told.
24 Hepatia
Apr 26th, 2012 - 01:09 pm - Link - Report abuse +1nuts
Lets examine the record: You have been kicked out of the US, India, Pakistan, The UAE, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mozambique, Kenya, ..... Most recently you were told to leave HK, and you did.
Apr 26th, 2012 - 01:19 pm - Link - Report abuse -1I can understand the emotional distress you Brit chest thumpers feel. You are, after all, citizens of a failed imperial power and a grubby little appendage of Europe. All you have left now are the Malvinas. Enjoy it while you can.
As for Antarctica do you think your masters, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the PRC, are going to allow you to do that?
Please join our Facebook PAGE https://www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-the-Falklands-British/123151384435619 KEEP THE FALKLANDS BRITISH press the LIKE button on the page to follow the news streams and spread the news to your friends and family.
Apr 26th, 2012 - 03:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 027
Apr 26th, 2012 - 05:46 pm - Link - Report abuse +1Just like others on here, you think nothing of the truth, but your anti British hatred,
We were not kicked out of anywhere, anymore than you were kicked out of argentine, brazil was beaten by argentine more than once,
Perhaps brazil is frightened of argentine,
Anything is possible is it not,
But at least try to get your facts right,
And perhaps brazil did not lose after all, your choice.
27 Just for record, Britain did not get kicked out of Canada. History shows that it was Britain who secured Canada from the French empire, and then in 1812, British regulars along with our Canadian militia kept American expansionism from Canada.
Apr 26th, 2012 - 06:14 pm - Link - Report abuse +1Canada maintains close ties with Britain today, through our Queen, our Commonwealth, through historical and current migration and business investment. Like most countries, Canada has its share of republican-sympathsizers, but outside of Québec, these are a small minority.
Canada didn't have a role to play directly in liberating the Falklands, but at Goose Bay, Labrador, we hosted Vulcan bombers practicing for potential bombing raid on Buenos Aires if the surrender on 14 June 1982 hadn't been signed.
at least canada is civilised, and backs us, with more than just words [27]
Apr 26th, 2012 - 06:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0How and why would brazil go into bat for argentina over the falklands?
Apr 27th, 2012 - 08:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0Self determination unless you can persuade the islanders nothings happening.
Although Brazilliam overlords might have a better chance:)
Better looking women and a functioning economy and seem to have got over lets have an insane goverment phase.
@27 Hepatia,
Apr 27th, 2012 - 08:34 am - Link - Report abuse +1Your grasp on recent history is very shaky to say the least.
1) US,
was an unfortunate civil war(NOT a revolution)that could have been avoided had saner heads prevailed. Yes, one point to you.
2) lndia & Pakistan,
we were not kicked out by anyone. who “kicked” us out, pray tell?
A new world was dawning. lt was time to leave & we left of our own free will in 1947.
(l personally believe that we could have left in 1919 at the end of WWI)
3) Don't ever remember being “kicked out” of the UAE.
We had a treaty with them, but never controlled them.
Thats misinformation(lies)on your part.
4) Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
Received self-government(peacefully)in 1901.Think Canada was 1867.
Received full independence(peacefully)in 1931.
All currently in the British Commonwealth.
No “kicking out” there.
5) Moçambique,
Part of the Portuguese Empire, nothing to do with Britain.
For reasons of their own, they have recently joined the British Commonwealth.
Again, no “kicking out”.
6) Kenya,
was granted independence in 1963.
We won the bush war against the Mau mau, who by the way slaughtered thousands of their own people & people from different tribes.
Certainly wasn't “kicked out”.
7) Hong Kong,
We had a lease from China in 1898 for 99 years.
lt expired in 1997.
We wanted to renew the lease but China said “no”.
lt was their right & we respected that.
So we left.
So you see Hepatia, you have posted complete lies.
Either that or you are an idiot that thinks he knows his history but does not.
We may not get ALL of Antarctica but then we never claimed ALL of it.
One thing for sure we'll get more than Argentina.
Poltroon.
sadly if you cut their brain in half, you will find a burnt union jack on one half, and an indocrination chip on the other half, which says anti brit do not remove
Apr 27th, 2012 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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