socialism today

The conflict was prepared, however, by a series of blunders by British imperialism. Despite Argentina's long-standing claim to the islands and recent threats from Galtieri, in 1981 Thatcher's government announced the withdrawal of the British naval warship, Endurance, from the South Atlantic. Her government took no action when scrap metal contractors landed on neighbouring South Georgia with an Argentinean naval escort in March 1982 – and Thatcher was completely taken by surprise when Argentinean forces occupied the Falklands/Malvinas on 1 April