If there is an exactly lambda-free abelian group then there is an exactly lambda-separable one

Abstract

We give a solution stated in the title to problem 3 of part 1 of the problems listed in the book of Eklof and Mekler [EM],(p.453). There, in pp. 241-242, this is discussed and proved in some cases. The existence of strongly lambda-free ones was proved earlier by the criteria in [Sh:161] in [MkSh:251]. We can apply a similar proof to a large class of other varieties in particular to the variety of (non-commutative) groups.