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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, MAY 14, 1982
PAGE 12
'Things have gone wrong.'
dangerous people."
Psychologically they are extremely
* * * * *
Finally here are excerpts from a letter I received the other day from our
minister in Argentina. It gives some interesting personal insights into
conditions in that suddenly war-gripped country.
Greetings from Argentina.•••! thought I would drop a few lines
and make some comments on the present Anglo-Argentine war•..•
Regarding our activities here, all is well so far. None of the
family members of the Church, both here [ in Ezeisa, near Buenos
Aires] and in Bahia Blanca (headquarters of the Argentine Navy)
is affected by the conflict. Also, to the best of my knowledge,
we don't have any young men of draft military age ready to be
drafted into service. Besides, there are many young men, women
and even older men who are volunteering for service in the armed
for�es. All the members in the Ezeisa and Bahia Blanca Churches
are perfectly safe and out of danger for the moment.
In Bahia Blanca we have a Church of about 100 in attendance.
Continuous blackouts throughout the city and private homes have
(been in effect J since the British attacked the Islands on Satur
day, May 2.
I just happened to be there just in time for some
action. During the blackouts, cars and all other vehicles must
paint the headlights, the chrome areas, etc. with white remova
ble paint or cover them with special paper for the occasion. In
the homes and neighborhoods, people are asked to keep the inside
lights to a minimum and not visible from outside.
The civil
defense is very strict and heavy fines were issued to those who
did not comply with the rules.
Many citizens of Bahia Blanca are afraid that the British may
attack the important Naval Base at Puerto Belgrano, located only
a few miles from the city.
In the vicinity, there is also the
largest petrochemical complex in the country, if not in all of
Latin America ••••
Information handed out to me here indicates that the armed forces
� eager and trigger happy to fight the British-
.�The emotional
fervor, passion, chants and other display of patriotic manifesta
tions, largely triggered by the military junta through much
propaganda, is evident everywhere.
Every citizen wants the
Malvinas so bad, that ( he or she] is willing to drop every bit of
blood to� them! The whole country is united in backing up the
soldiers on the front line. Tons of food are being donated-
clothing, cigarettes, beverages, books, magazines, etc.
A
patriotic fund-raising campaign has been started, millions have
been collected already. Many citizens donate one working day a
week to give to the patriotic fund.
Many more give blood and
whatever they can. Many women volunteer to be nurses up on the
front lines. Even 150 American Mormons were seen giving blood
and supporting Argentina in the war.