Kuwait - The former British prime minister, Mr John Major, stepped in to clear the air after his predecessor Lady Thatcher reminded an audience in Kuwait, which included ex-Argentine President Carlos Menem, of how "freedom" was restored in the Falkland Islands.
Diplomats said yesterday that Mr Major had met Mr Menem to try to narrow differences after the diplomatic gaffe, which occurred at a private function on Sunday marking Kuwait's 10th anniversary of liberation from Iraqi occupation.
Mr Menem "was quite satisfied in general terms with the content of his talks with Major", a senior diplomat familiar with the meeting said.
Under Lady Thatcher's leadership Britain went to war with Argentina in 1982 over the disputed South Atlantic islands.
Former US president, Mr George Bush, and the then chairman of the US joint chiefs, Mr Colin Powell, the new Secretary of State, were also present when Lady Thatcher focused on the Falklands.