Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks on hijacked Kuwaiti jet (release of British passengers)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Ankara
Source: Thatcher Archive: COI transcript
Editorial comments: Evening; MT left the official banquet to give waiting journalists the news (see The Times, 8 April 1988).
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 190
Themes: Foreign policy (Middle East), Terrorism

Interviewer

Prime Minister may we ask you about the hostages and what news you have?

Prime Minister

May I just say that we have had information from two separate sources, but not officially confirmed, but two separate sources, the British passengers have been released. We cannot officially confirm it. Mr Özal has offered to help with getting any information confirmed which he can. We are obviously pleased that British passengers have been released if that is correct. We remain deeply concerned about the other passengers on the plane in that hijack.

Hijacks are bad for us all and we are always concerned when people are held on a hijack and remain deeply concerned.

I would say we have had very good talks this morning; too short but very good talks indeed on the subjects you would expect: bilateral relations between Britain and Turkey. We are traditional friends, Turkey, Britain and the EEC. We have also talked of course very much about the Iran Iraq position and we have talked about the Cyprus situation and I now have to go. We were able to talk very easily.