Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Press Conference after meeting US Ambassador to the UN (Rhodesia)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: US Mission 799 UN Plaza, New York
Source: Daily Telegraph, 9 September 1977
Journalist: Ann Morrow, Daily Telegraph, reporting
Editorial comments:

MT and Andrew Young answered questions at an informal press conference following their meeting at 1100. Asked whether she was happy that Rhodesian security forces would have to be disbanded one way or another, MT replied "No, we are not satisfied about that" (Western Mail, 9 September 1977). MT’s speech at the British American Chamber of Commerce was due to begin at 1200, so the meeting must have been a short one.

Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 429
Themes: Foreign policy (USA), Commonwealth (Rhodesia-Zimbabwe), Foreign policy (Africa), Transport

Buoyant day for Mrs Thatcher

Mrs Thatcher had a buoyant and enormously successful day in New York yesterday beginning with a meeting with Mr Andrew Young, America's Black Ambassador to the United Nations, and going on to impress 600 businessmen with a courageous speech which brought most of them to their feet.

Not easily impressed as a rule, Mr Young said after his meeting: “She is an astute and charming woman. I thought she had a marvellous command of the issues.”

They had talked for at least 40 minutes and spent much of the time discussing Rhodesia.

After the talk in the United Nations building, Mrs Thatcher, wearing a simple dark blue outfit with a print blouse, waited hesitantly in the lobby before answering questions. Eventually Mr Young found time to join her in the courtyard.

“Very kind”

They answered a barrage of questions. Mrs Thatcher, deftly and using all feminity, let him do much of the talking.

Softly she said that she had heard the ambassador's point of view and he had been very kind.

“Speak up - we can't hear” yelled the American Press rather brusquely.

On Rhodesia, Mr Young said: “Mrs Thatcher and I both agreed it is terribly important for us to have as peaceful a settlement as possible as much is at stake in Southern Africa, Europe and the United States.”

Mrs Thatcher said that when peace proposals had been satisfactorily worked out, she would be in favour of “proper security forces in support of newly-elected Government to keep it stably in power.”

Mr Young then escorted Mrs Thatcher and her Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mr Adam Butler, to a waiting black Cadillac and said a warm good-bye.

Strong message

At the Hotel Pierre, beloved by politicians, Mrs Thatcher made her speech in the ballroom which was decorated with fluffy white and blue clouds and gold cherubs - looking strangley frivolous in contrast to the sombre business suits and the no-nonsense strength of her message.

There was rapt attention, strained necks and neglected lemon mousses, as Mrs Thatcher talked about the lack of incentive in Britain today, the harsh taxation, inflation and unemployment. She got rapturous applause, when she said the time had come now for a post-war atmosphere and post-socialist time.

“We are a talented and able people,” she said and managed to beat the drum for Mr Freddie Laker, saying with a smile: “I often fly Freddie.”

Her forthrightness and ability at question time impressed even more.