Archive

Archive (Reagan Library)

Cold War: Reagan letter to Thatcher (the special relationship) [declassified 1997]

Document type: Declassified documents
Venue: White House
Source: Reagan Library: NSA Head of State File (Thatcher: Cables [1]) Box 34
Editorial comments: Despatched at 0056 GMT on 4 February.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 129 words
Themes: British Constitution (general discussions), Conservatism, Foreign policy (USA), MT contacts with Ronald Reagan
Confidential

Dear Madame Prime Minister,

I have read the initial news reports of your speech to the Pilgrims’ dinner on January 29, and I wanted to convey my thanks and good wishes for your kind words.

You are indeed right that we share a very special concern for democracy and for liberty. That is the essence of the special relationship between our two countries, and it is similarly an excellent basis for inaugurating an extended period of co-operation and close consultation between your government and my administration.

It is with greatest anticipation that I look forward to your arrival here and to the opportunity for extensive discussions on the broad range of world issues with which we must deal in partnership.

Ronald Reagan