JOINT STATEMENT OF 15 FEBRUARY 1990

RE-ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND ARGENTINA

Introduction - Text - ANNEX 1 - Annex 2 - Annex 3 - Annex 4 - UK Statement 

Annex I – Interim Reciprocal Information and Consultation System

Both parties agree to establish an Interim Reciprocal Information and Consultation System for movement of units of their Armed Forces in areas of the South West Atlantic.  The aims of this system are to increase confidence between Argentina and the United Kingdom and to contribute to achieving a more normal situation in the region without unnecessary delay.  The system consists of the following provisions:  

I.   Direct Communication Link

A.        A direct communication link will be established between the respective military authorities – under the supervision of both Foreign Ministries – in order to:

-         reduce the possibility of incidents and limit their consequences if they should occur;

-         increase common knowledge of activities in the South West Atlantic

B.        The respective military authorities will be:

British Authority: Commander British Forces Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Argentine Naval Authority: Commandante del Area Naval Austral (Ushuaia)

Argentine Air Authority: Jefe de la Novena Brigada Aerea (Comodoro Rivadavia)

C.        It is agreed to establish a direct radio link between the respective authorities which will include voice and/or telex transmissions.  The link will be manned on a 24 hour basis and will be tested at least once a week.  Technical information relating to equipment, frequencies and modalities of use will be exchanged through diplomatic channels.

D.                 It is agreed to establish a communications plan for radio links between units and stations of the parties.  Technical information will be exchanged through diplomatic channels.

II.  Definition of Units

A.       Ship:

Any ship belonging to the naval forces of the parties bearing the external marks distinguishing warships of its nationality, under the command of an officer duly commissioned by the government and whose name appears in the naval list, and manned by a crew who are under regular naval discipline, and British Fleet Auxiliaries.

B.        Aircraft:

Any aircraft belonging to the Armed Forces of the parties, manned by a military crew who are under regular Armed Forces discipline.

C.        Combatant Units:

Any ship or aircraft equipped with weapons systems or means of offensive power or offensive projection capabilities (naval examples: aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, fast patrol boats, amphibious ships or ships carrying troops; aircraft examples: strike aircraft, fighters, bombers, missile or troop-carrying aircraft).

III.   Reciprocal Information about Military Movements

1.      Reciprocal written information will be provided through diplomatic channels, not less than 25 days in advance, about:

A.        Movements of naval forces involving four or more ships;

B.        Movements of aerial forces involving four or more aircraft;

C.        Exercises involving more than 1,000 men or more than 20 sorties by aircraft;

D.        Amphibious or airborne exercises involving more than 500 men or more than 20 sorties by aircraft.

The main application of this measure are:

For British Forces: the area south of parallel 40 S, west of meridian 20 W and north of 60 S.

For Argentine Forces: within rhumb lines joining the following geographical coordinates in the specified order: 46S 63W, 50S 63W, 50S 64W, 53S 64W, 53S 63W, 60S 63W, 60S 20W, 46S 20W, 46S 63W

Each party will accept the presence o an observer ship from the other party in the vicinity of naval forces involving four or more ships engaged in manoeuvres within the relevant area of application.

2.   Reciprocal notification of identity, intended track and purpose will be given, not less than 48 hours in advance, of a ship or an aircraft that intends to approach closer to coasts than 50 miles by sea or 70 miles by air.

When specific movements of the kind described in this paragraph are intended to be carried out by combatant units and might cause political or military difficulty to the Argentine Government or to the British Government, the notifying party will be informed immediately and mutual agreement will be necessary to proceed.

IV.   Verification

Verification of compliance with the reciprocal information arrangements in provision III above will be by national means, by observer ships (as provided for in III.1), and by consultations through the direct communication link.  If disagreement should persist, the parties shall have recourse to the diplomatic channel.

V.    Reciprocal Visits

Reciprocal visits to military bases and naval units may be agreed through the diplomatic channel on a case by case basis.

VI.   Applicability of International Practice

In situations not specifically covered above, it is understood that normal international practice will be applied on a reciprocal basis.

VII.   Duration

This system, including the reciprocal information measures, shall be reviewed at regular diplomatic-technical meetings.  The first of these meetings shall take place within one year after the entry into force of the system and shall be convened at a date to be agreed through the diplomatic channel.  

Our thanks to the Falkland Islands Government for supplying a copy of the Agreement

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