Nicanor Costa Mendez; Key Figure in 1982 Falklands War

Nicanor Costa Mendez, 69, a former Argentine foreign minister and key figure in the Falklands war in 1982. A lawyer linked to right-wing Catholic groups, Costa Mendez gained prominence 10 years ago as one of the people who inspired Argentina’s internationally rebuffed attempt to retake the Falkland Islands, a British Crown Colony since 1832. He was appointed foreign minister and the principal civilian counselor of military President Gen. Leopoldo Galtieri. Costa Mendez had served as foreign minister from 1966 through 1969 under former President Gen. Juan Carlos Ongania. Costa Mendez was dismissed as foreign minister following the armed forces’ decision to oust Galtieri after the Argentine military surrender in the Falklands on July 14, 1982. In Buenos Aires on Sunday of cancer.