Remarks after meeting with President Reagan (c1530Z)
| Document type: | Speeches, interviews, etc. |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Faubourg St Honore, Paris |
| Source: | BBC Radio News Report 1800 4 June 1982 |
| Journalist: | Philip Short, BBC, reporting |
| Editorial comments: | Guessed at 10 minutes after the close of her meeting with President Reagan. MT made a brief statement to waiting reporters as she left the American Residence. |
| Importance ranking: | Major |
| Word count: | 243 |
| Themes: | Defence (Falklands) |
The meeting which lasted an hour and a quarter took place without officials being present. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Pym, and his American counterpart, Mr Alexander Haig, held their discussions separately. When Mrs Thatcher emerged from the American Ambassador's residence where the meeting took place, to walk the 50 yards or so down the Faubourg St Honore to the British Embassy next door, she made a brief statement to waiting reporters:
Thatcher
As you know, the United States came down firmly on our side over the Falklands, and we're very grateful to them for being such staunch allies. We had quite a long talk about the Falklands, and also a preliminary talk about the things we shall talk about at Versailles.
Reporter
Was there any suggestion, Prime Minister, that you should stop the assault on Port Stanley?
Thatcher
I had quite a long talk about the whole matter of the Falklands.
Reporter
And the Americans are still firmly on our side?
Thatcher
Very much so.
Thorne
She didn't at any point comment on suggestions that Mr Reagan has been putting on pressure on her to give the Argentines an honourable way out. And when she was asked about the possibility of a ceasefire, she brushed the question aside.