Agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom establishing an Interim Reciprocal Information and Consultation System, 1990
Both parties agree to establish an Interim Reciprocal Information and Consultation System for movements 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 Aérea (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 governments 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).