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Economy: Reagan letter to Thatcher (Williamsburg G7 outcomes) [declassified 1998]

Document type: Declassified documents
Venue: White House
Source: Reagan Library: NSA Head of State File (Thatcher: Cables [3]) Box 35
Editorial comments: Despatched 0414 GMT 17 June 1982. Declassified 13 Oct 1998..
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 536 words
Themes: Economic policy - theory and process, Trade, Foreign policy (USA), Foreign policy (Western Europe - non-EU), MT contacts with Ronald Reagan
Declassified 98-005#2
By SMF, NARA, Date 10/13/98

Confidential

1. C – entire text

2. Following is text of message from President to Prime Minister dated June 15 on Williamsburg Summit results. Embassy should pass text to PM’s office. Original will be pouched to post.

3. Begin text:

Dear Margaret

Before our experience at Williamsburg is engulfed by the day-to-day problems that awaited us on return to our respective capitals, I want to thank you for the [end p1] excellent spirit of co-operation which prevailed at the summit meetings.

I particularly appreciated your taking time out from your busy campaign schedule to come to Williamsburg. Your firm support and leadership were vital in translating the broad areas of agreement which we found in our private discussions into a strong message of unity among the world’s largest industrialized democracies. That message, both in its economic and political dimensions, was crucial at this time of questioning in our own countries and of challenge from the Soviet Union and its allies. Thanks to your contribution during Saturday’s dinner discussions of INF, we were able, in our statement, to send the Soviets a clear signal of allied determination and unity.

The “Williamsburg Declaration on Economic Recovery” was a victory for the future. Your Government’s economic policies have proved the wisdom of the key principles laid out in the declaration. Non-inflationary growth, open markets, adequate liquidity and economic stability. I am certain that under your continued leadership, Britain will experience sustained economic growth. I sincerely believe the words I used to conclude the press statement: “Our meeting has shown a spirit of confidence, optimism and certainty – confidence that recovery is underway, optimism that it will be durable, and certainty that economic policy and security ties among us will be strengthened in the future”.

You have my solemn assurance, so far as the United States is concerned, that I shall now do everything in my power to translate the commitments we made together [end p2] at Williamsburg into tangible legislative action. With that end in mind, I met with the bipartisan leadership of the Congress on June 8 and urged early progress on anti-protectionist measures, increasing our IMF quotas, and further limits on the growth of federal expenditures as a means to reduce budgetary deficits.

I know that Vice President Bush is looking forward to meeting with you in London and continuing our productive dialogue. We greatly value your advice and counsel. The Vice President also wishes to extend personally our warmest congratulations on your splendid victory. As I said on the telephone, I am overjoyed. Your landslide win certainly gives a positive shot in the arm to the Western Alliance.

Margaret, I greatly appreciate your kind remarks about my handling of the summit’s chair. I know that hosting the next meeting will be a burden for you, but I am reassured that this important role will be in such capable hands. I hope that in these summit gatherings we can continue to strive for small and informal settings.

Sincerely
Ron