ment in the islands in place of the previous democratic Government under which the British people of the islands had lived peacefully in British territory for a century and a half. Argentina was bent on consol- idating its grip on the islands. In this situation, the United Kingdom had no choice but to exercise our inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter. We have meticulously informed the Presi- dent of the Council of every step we were taking in this regard. Possession of South Georgia was quickly recovered, with little resistance and only one casualty, on 22 April. But, 48 days after the adoption of reso- lution 502 (1982), Argentina remains in occupation of the Falkland Islands. 103. MY Government could have stood from the outset on a position of absolute legitimacy-namely, that the aggressor must withdraw, that the .vt(/tll.v yrlo u1lte be restored and that the diplomatic negotia- tions, which had been so rudely interrupted by the invasion, be resumed at the point at which they had been broken off. 104. However, in its strong desire for a peaceful solution, mY Government was prepared to negotiate and, indeed, to show flexibility in those negotiations. Such negotiations were first undertaken through the good offices of the Secretary of State of the United States; thereafter, through the President of Peru. The warmest tributes are due to both for their tireless efforts. In particular, I believe that the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Alexander Haig, must have set an unbreakable record of shuttle diplomacy. in terms of time and distance covered. Even after theil efforts had failed to produce results, my Government did not adopt the posture that no negotiations were possible, nor that diplomatic channels had been closed by Argentina’s actions. Far from it. We welcomed 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement or a speech related to a conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. The language used is formal and official, and the content focuses on the historical context, the invasion by Argentina, and the UK's response. The text does not mention specific economic, environmental, or social issues related to the Falkland Islands.

**Category**
International relations, Politics