Q
If I can ask you first of all, Prime Minister, about the Resolution on the Falklands. From what you said earlier you obviously feel angry at the results of the vote last night, but you don't intend to do anything about it. Is that right?
PM
I don't think angry is quite the word. I don't quite understand it. That's why I said that the American decision was incomprehensible to us and disappointing. We have always been staunch friends with the United States and we don't understand how, in the circumstances, when Argentina was an aggressor, invaded our country—Argentina is a totalitarian country and we are a democracy—we're just mystified as to how America could cast the vote she did. It's not anger, it's really sorrow. But whatever happens we will continue to be staunch friends of the United States.
Q
I hope so. You don't intend to change Britain's policy regarding the Falklands just now?
PM
Certainly not. We have a duty to the people of the Falklands. We also have a duty to the people who lost their lives so that freedom and justice might reign once again in the Falkland Islands.
Q
Having spoken about the Americans, presumably the French decision to abstain oiled the wheels of these talks. One gets the impression though that they were fairly sombre. Is that fair?
PM
Sombre? Well, the French weren't going to support the Argentine Resolution because they recognised it for what it was. And that was very welcome and because they gave a lead to a number of other countries in the Community who followed their example. And when I went to Berlin last week they were pretty forthright about the Falklands and they understood what we had done, they understood its relevance to Berlin. So the talks in France got off to a good start, which is very good.
Q
Having got off to a good start, there is obviously the highly contentious issue of Britain's long-term contribution to [end p1] the EEC budget, did you get the feeling that actually Britain will never see eye to eye with the French on this?
PM
Its not only a problem with the French, the fact is that as the Budget is arranged, under the Treaty of Rome, with the CAP as it is now, it puts an intolerable burden on Britain. Intolerable burdens can't be accepted by any member of the Community. And I have said so many times. If France were in this position, she would fight as we are fighting. Therefore I hope when it comes to negotiating in the long term she will understand our position. Oh, you will get difficulties in the early stages, but you know we sorted out these problems before. And one must not be dominated by the problems. One must be dominated by the determination to reach a solution.
Q
Final question. If I may be so personal, perhaps even a trifle rude, you do look a little tired—was it worth the trouble?
PM
Oh I am so sorry if I look tired. Of course its worth the trouble, and I shouldn't look tired and I don't feel tired.