Speech to the International Democrat Union
| Document type: | speeches |
|---|---|
| Document kind: | Speech |
| Venue: | Intercontinental Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, central London |
| Source: | Thatcher Archive: speaking text |
| Journalist: | - |
| Editorial comments: | The launch of the IDU began at 1500. |
| Importance ranking: | Major |
| Word count: | 1403 |
| Themes: | Foreign policy (general discussions), Conservatism, Conservative Party (organisation), Foreign policy (International organisations), Foreign policy (development, aid, etc), Foreign policy (USSR and successor states) |
Today's meeting is an historic occasion. For the first time, leaders of Centre-Right Parties around the globe have come together to advance those values and ideals which we all share. Freedom Justice Representative democracy. The rule of law. And a free economic system.
In 1978, we took the first step in founding the European Democrat Union in Salzburg. I am proud to have played my part in that. The EDU has gone from strength to strength. Its success reflects the commitment of all the parties involved.[fo 1] And it is a tribute to the dedication of the Chairman of EDU, Dr. Mock .
Last year, the Pacific Democrat Union was formed.
Now the European Democrat Union and the Pacific Democrat Union are joining together to form the International Democrat Union. At the birth of the IDU we can already claim as Dr. Mock has already indicated, the support of 150 million people—double the support of the Socialist International.
The International Democrat Union girdles the earth. It is not an empire. But it will be, we hope, a great dominion of mind and spirit.[fo 2]
The presence of such distinguished leaders at this meeting shows the strength of our support for this new endeavour.
I extend very special greetings to our friends of the Pacific Democrat Union. Including Japan. I mention in particular the [ George Bush ] Vice President of the United States, a staunch advocate of the beliefs that have brought us together today.[fo 3]
We welcome our European friends—may I say that the presence of the [ Helmut Kohl ] Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Prime Ministers of [ K. Willoch ] Norway and [ P. Schüter ] Denmark and the [ Jacques Chirac ] Mayor of Paris gives us special pleasure. And our Commonwealth friends—who are never far from our thoughts.[fo 4]
It is especially satisfying also to welcome the leaders of parties from neutral nations such as Finland and Sweden. Although they have not associated themselves in alliances with us they share our preoccupations and ideals.
To all, Government and Party leaders alike, a very warm welcome to London.
Both the enterprises which have led to the IDU, and the IDU itself, spring from the recognition that an association of parties, as distinct from Governments, may offer a real and new opportunity in the future for creative Statecraft.[fo 5]
All the parties represented here, like the nations from which we come, have different histories. We all take pride in our own distinctive character. But though diverse we share universal principles.
Indeed freedom and justice know no frontiers.
Mr. Chairman, the free nations are peaceful nations. Democracies have had to defend themselves several times in this century. But they have never fought one another. Do not let the enemies of freedom cause us to forget that simple but most invigorating fact of recent history.
Seventy years ago, it seemed that ours would be the constitutional model for the coming age.[fo 6] The great French historian Elie Halévy wrote, in the preface to his famous history of England, "Representative government bids fair to become part of the common inheritance of mankind."
Everywhere old despotisms were in decay. Even the Russian and Turkish Empires conceded general elections of a limited kind.
Then came the world wars, and the totalitarian empires of Communism and nazism to which they led.
Ten years ago people were writing about the crisis of democracy. Today attention has turned to the crisis of state socialism.[fo 7] Meanwhile—and here is cause to celebrate indeed—for the first time Western Europe has governments which are all democratic. It is an historic moment. I take particular pleasure in welcoming here Senor Fraga and Dr. Pires who have played a special part in the consolidation of democracy in Spain and Portugal. And the presence of Mr. Averoff shows that once again the tradition of democracy burns in Greece.
No matter how hard they try, totalitarian countries can never extinguish the flame of freedom. Again and again, we see the evidence that if only[fo 8] the nations of Eastern Europe were allowed to choose, they would choose democracy and freedom. The spirit of freedom is too strong and too resilient to be crushed by the tanks of tyrants. The same is true in other parts of the world which suffer from the brutality of despotism.
The values which we cherish and which others yearn for, are democracy, freedom, justice and personal responsibility. The challenge which faces us here today is how we defend and extend these values in a fragmented world.[fo 9]
Mr. Chairman, we know what we believe in. We must also know what we are going to do.
We have signed a Declaration of Principles. That will be our guide. But today we must launch a vigorous and dedicated campaign to bring freedom and justice to those who do not have them. Such a campaign has many elements.
We must always be ready to defend our freedom and the rule of law. But defence alone is not enough.[fo 10] We must proclaim our principles so that we may influence others. We must seek by every peaceful means, and in every possible forum, to spread those great truths across the world.
But we cannot do everything at once. Politicians know better than most that if you try to achieve everything you risk achieving nothing. So let us set our eyes on a realistic programme which is within our grasp.[fo 11]
We can combine our efforts in the United Nations and in regional organisations to promote our common aims. Often said. Not often enough done.
We must use our joint resources to help bring the benefits of economic prosperity to the developing countries. For make no mistake, if the Third World or parts of it looked in the past to Moscow for economic aid and support they have largely ceased to do so. They have seen the new Imperialism in operation in Eastern Europe, Afghanistan and Cambodia.[fo 12] They know that it is the democracies of the West who support their right freely to choose their way of life. They know that it is the West that has shown the right road to economic prosperity, liberty and the rule of law.
It is the democracies who have shown real generosity to the Third World—just as it was the United States, that great guardian of freedom and justice which showed unparallelled generosity to the people of Europe at our time of greatest trial and which shows the same generosity now in its staunch commitment to the defence of the West.[fo 13]
We have at our disposal all the immense resources of modern scientific and technological development. This gives us the power to reach and therefore influence people on the other side of the globe as easily as we could once reach people in the next village. We must use that power to proclaim our freedoms and light a beacon of hope to those who long for them.[fo 14]
Mr. Chairman, we face a power which does not share our beliefs, which seeks to undermine our way of life. It will not succeed and must understand that the spirit of freedom will outlive the worst tyranny. Part of our action programme must be a realistic, unblinkered assessment of that power's policies and intentions. We must never be taken in by plausible half-truths. Sure in our defence and our beliefs, we must see how relations with the Soviet Union can best be carried forward. We must look shrewdly and carefully for opportunities to conclude agreements on arms control and to expand trade and other contacts which do not put our interests in any way at risk and in particular do not result in the transfer of critical technology.[fo 15] Whenever we negotiate with those who do not hold our views we must be the most professional and skilled negotiators. Always firm, always reasonable, never duped.
Mr. Andropov recently said "Communists are convinced that the future belongs to Socialism. Such is the march of history".
We know different. The future belongs to the free democracies and that is the march of history.
Across the world—and today in this room—freedom and justice are on the offensive.[fo 16] We are strong in belief, resolute for action, fortified by the alliances and partnerships which are dedicated to our purpose. And today we proclaim a new Union for democracy.
By the time the IDU meets again, I hope we shall have even more friends, in even more nations. Let us hold firmly together, our hands stretching over continents and oceans, in the knowledge that, united, we can preserve our civilisation and be ready to hand on the sacred flame of liberty to future generations.