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Archive (Reagan Library)

Northern Ireland: Thatcher letter to Reagan (outrage at Harrods IRA bomb) [unclassified]

Document type: Declassified documents
Venue: 10 Downing Street
Source: Reagan Library: NSA Head of State File (Thatcher: Cables [4]) Box 35
Editorial comments: Despatched 1045 GMT 21 Dec 1983. Unclassified.
Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 107 words
Themes: Foreign policy (USA), Northern Ireland, Terrorism, MT contacts with Ronald Reagan
Unclassified

[Handwritten note by Robert McFarlane:]

Mr President
We sent a condolence message in your name when the bombing occurred.
Bud

[Telegram initialled as seen by the President:]
RR

Dear Ron

I was most grateful for your kind message of sympathy about the terrorist outrage in London on Saturday. We were deeply distressed at the loss of life of one American citizen and injuries to others.

The public’s reaction has been the same as the government’s – that the fight against terrorism must go on and be won.

Warm regards,
Margaret