The most striking revelation from the meeting is the degree to which Haig’s compromise favored the Argentines. The minutes are quite clear on this point: Haig “then described the elements of the American plan which in effect would give ultimate sovereignty to Argentina but under evolutionary conditions which the Islanders could ultimately accept.”

It’s far from clear, however, that the islanders could or would accept Argentine sovereignty, nor that Haig was really solicitous of their interests. He had recently told U.S. congressmen that the principle of “self-determination” did not really apply to them. And an off-color joke of his about their sexual practices underlined his lack of sympathy.

But Haig was baffled and frustrated by the reaction of the junta: “Our proposals, in fact, are a camouflaged transfer of sovereignty, and the Argentine foreign minister knows this, but the junta will not accept it.” This seemingly confirms some Brits’ long-standing suspicion that the U.S. was “tilting” toward Buenos Aires throughout the war. But the minutes contradict this in two ways.