Margaret Thatcher explored the removal of voting rights from an estimated 500,000 citizens of the Republic living in Britain after Ireland backed Argentina in the Falklands/Malvinas war in 1982. New historical documents on the seriousness of the breach between the two countries have just been revealed.
British anger was fueled by a comment from Ireland’s defence minister that. “Obviously Britain is the aggressor now,” after the Belgrano battleship was sunk as it sailed away from the combat zone.
The new documents also show that the then Irish leader Charles Haughey described the Falklands conflict as “a ridiculous war, a war that should not have happened,” in a private diplomatic exchange,
In addition, the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) told Haughey there was a massive trade “backlash” in the UK against Irish firms because of Ireland’s Falklands policy.
A senior member of the Guinness family warned the Irish embassy that Guinness would have to play down its links to Ireland because of hostile reaction to the Irish government policy.
Thatcher also told U.S. president Ronald Reagan that “relations between London and Dublin have certainly taken a turn for the worse as a result of some damaging Irish interventions in the EC and UN over the Falklands.”
A senior British diplomat told the Irish government that the damage was long term. A note from the Department of Foreign Affairs on the British comments stated;
“The damage in their view was not merely a short-term problem, on the contrary our actions would be long remembered in Britain.”
British ambassador Sir Leonard Figg prepared a report on the “serious worsening” of relations.
Ireland had originally supported the British in the war but after the Belgrano was sunk with the loss of hundreds of lives, the tenor of the Irish reaction changed.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Springfield9 | Jan 22, 2013, 10:41 AM EST
I am heartbroken to realize that trivial Irish reamrks could brovoke the British lion. I realize tha e Falkland Islands are the Empire's center of gravity. As for Guinness, they provided the trucks to crush the 1916 rising.
DanOLoingsigh | Jan 03, 2013, 10:29 AM EST
Some posters need to check out the chronology of WW2. The major turning point in Europe was in June 1941, when the Nazis attacked the USSR, having abandoned plans to invade Britain...Pearl Harbor came later.
Joe Kelsall | Dec 31, 2012, 09:26 AM EST
Merefalow - At least in 2013 we've got her funeral to look forward to, from whence she goes to meet Pinochet in Hell! In particular the British miners are already preparing celebrations. The World will get a shock when they see the UK's celebratory attitude to Thatcher's death. Then it's just Blair and GW Bush next! Tog go bog e!
curtisjohnson | Dec 30, 2012, 10:32 PM EST
hooligan6a, I was quoting towntroll not agreeing with him. As I noted, something much stronger than alcohol would be needed to induce his delusions.
100%irishbeef | Dec 30, 2012, 07:06 PM EST
Te amo Argentina y te extrano San Telmo! Love it there
merefalow | Dec 30, 2012, 03:27 PM EST
mad bad and sad,she spoilt my christmass,she survived it.
IrelandNorth | Dec 30, 2012, 02:08 PM EST
Breaking News ... Ex English-British Conservative/Tory Party leader and British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher linked to murder of 368 young Argentine Navy sailors cruising away from Islas de Malvinas exclusion zone during Falklands imperial conflict. Is reported as having presided over war council of British Imperial Army (BIA). Reputedly offered to instruct amateurs such as the Rt Hon Desmond 'Dessie' Ellis TD in the ignoble art of war.
seamus60 | Dec 30, 2012, 01:21 PM EST
Hardly anything to get excited about. After alltheres quite a queque to kiss her mams rear end.
hooligan6a | Dec 30, 2012, 12:47 PM EST
Curtisjohnson, Come again, who saved what in WW2 ? The Brits were beat to their knees when the US came to their rescue. If it wasn't for the yanks you would be speaking German.
bobby | Dec 30, 2012, 09:42 AM EST
Says Woundedknee that sounds like you are constantly on the sauce, with the garbage you speak. Any news on the immigrants in Ireland? It's a while since you mentioned the Poles and the Paks as you call them. Idiot.
WoundedKnee | Dec 30, 2012, 02:52 AM EST
Bobby, if you post nonsense like that when you're 'óff the sauce', as you claim, maybe you should go back on it.
curtisjohnson | Dec 29, 2012, 09:22 PM EST
It has always been a hallmark of british "democracy" to silence any type of free speech regarding its nation mugging activities either by citizens or representatives of other nations (with regard to the former, I guess it's all part of that "unwritten constitution" of theirs).
curtisjohnson | Dec 29, 2012, 09:18 PM EST
Towntroll "Fancy upsetting the poor old woman --- just when she was going to give the Six Counties back, too!" "The UK were only trying to rightfully regain their land from an Invader - just the same as the Irish claimed they were (except it wasn't really theirs to reclaim!) ... and you left out the uncomfortable truth that Britain gave as much as they were allowed of Ireland back, granted living, working and voting rights from the outset to the grateful destitute Irish paupery without restriction or penalty on the mainland; and further, went on to save the world and the whole of Ireland from tyrannical foreign domination in WW2" These types of delusions require something far more potent than alcohol.
bobby | Dec 29, 2012, 07:21 PM EST
Your first comment sounds like you were being sarcastic. My brother lives in Dublin 15 years now, he could vote as soon as he registered. I believe it was 1985 British citizens can vote in Ireland. As for been on the sauce, i wish, working all over the Christmas, hey i will have the New Year.
Towngate | Dec 29, 2012, 07:01 PM EST
Bobby: Have you been on the sauce too much? Kindly re-read my post and you will see I posed a straightforward question,and invite your answer as to when the British were allowed to vote in Irish elections!! ~~~ @ IrelandNorth your post is brilliant, but flawed stuff. Think: The UK were only trying to rightfully regain their land from an Invader - just the same as the Irish claimed they were (except it wasn't really theirs to reclaim!) ... and you left out the uncomfortable truth that Britain gave as much as they were allowed of Ireland back, granted living, working and voting rights from the outset to the grateful destitute Irish paupery without restriction or penalty on the mainland; and further, went on to save the world and the whole of Ireland from tyrannical foreign domination in WW2. ~~~ as John Bull, the Prophet, said "...Damned Aarsh! - best to leave them to go to Hell their own way!"
bobby | Dec 29, 2012, 06:24 PM EST
Some Irish people may vote for the Conservative Party today but back in the 80s, not a chance. I was born in London i know many Irish people here, back in the 80s the Tory party would Not expect very many Irish votes.
IrelandNorth | Dec 29, 2012, 03:54 PM EST
"Bloody Irish! We invaded their country in the 12th century. Colonise it from the 15th century. Confiscate their land and give it to Anglo-Scottish planter/settlers in the 16th century. Transplant their indigenous people to the colonies as white slaves and indentured servants in the 17th century. Tranported their felons to the penal colonies for the heinous crime of stealing stale crusts of bread while starving in the 18th century. Turned their country into England's granary and purloined their crops and livestock during the Great Hunger in the 19th century. Hung, drew and quartered their patriots for rebelling against imperial injustices over like periods. And then, when we ask them to support us in doing the same to others - this is the bloody thanks we get for. Bloody Irish - most unreasonable race of people in the world. Just no pleasing them!" Signed: John Bull.
bobby | Dec 29, 2012, 03:46 PM EST
@Towngate, Did i mention anything about British voting in Ireland? No i didn't. As you mentioned it FYI. British citizens can vote in Ireland at Dáil elections, European elections and local elections.
Towngate | Dec 29, 2012, 12:20 PM EST
Fancy upsetting the poor old woman --- just when she was going to give the Six Counties back, too! ... Btw: @Bobby: Since when do the British vote in (democratic)Ireland...!? Britain gifted voting rights to the Irish and could remove them at any time. As for Irish voting patterns: If you think most Irish in Britain do not vote Conservative,you're on the wrong boat,laddie! The Irish Voter is by nature and intent, more right wing than Attila himself. ..... general note: The Republic of Ireland was a member of the British Commonwealth until 1948.
Smyrnian | Dec 29, 2012, 06:41 AM EST
The Brits have no business claiming the Malvinas.
darragh S | Dec 28, 2012, 11:34 PM EST
So much for being neutral. Anyone with a brain in Ireland now knows why Argentina is going to be so angry. Those deep sea oil Royalties going to just 5000 Falkland Islanders while the US government stands by while a Debt Collector confiscates Argentinian patrol vessels. Here is another beligerant group we will probably end up being associated to just like the English in general associate us to loosing world war 2 because we were on Germany's side. Then again our royal family didn't support the Nazi's did they. Fanta anyone. Right then. They can still do that now in Australia under the Constitution Act, which is different than the Constitution. They can also land their war ships in Australia with out consent of the Australian People. Most commonwealth countries have coped on to that and become republics like Ireland did. Yet Ireland never went back to the commonwealth and went to America in stead. Yet America stuck with the UK rather than back their communist linked native cousins in the deep south. I recon the Brits spend more time whinging about the Irish disapproval of the Irresponsible British troops and the unacceptable collateral damage they often cause including the Intangible things like the psychological pain suffered by Kennedy the 2nd. Instead of worrying about the French exocet missiles. Who did they get the Idea from, President Johnsons advisor Ruby.
Stiofain | Dec 28, 2012, 04:21 PM EST
In a Huffington Post article she was quoted as saying she most(in her terms)worried about The Falklands War because it might cost her the re-election if it failed. I guess she never got the word of what happened to a colony that had "taxation with out representation."
bobby | Dec 28, 2012, 10:31 AM EST
The silly cow wanted to remove the Irish vote because she knew they would never vote for the Tory party.
bobby | Dec 28, 2012, 10:23 AM EST
What a lovely Democratic woman she is, Threatening to pull voting rights from 500,000 tax paying citizens.