Middle East: Reagan letter to Thatcher (US committed to peace process) [declassified 2000]

Confidential

Dear Margaret:

Thank you for your March 22 message about the Arab League delegation led by King Hussein. I welcome and appreciate your thoughtful comments and support.

I know King Hussein has been struggling long and hard with the decision of how best to take the next step toward our shared goal of peace. His efforts these past months have been a remarkable example of leadership and statesmanship under what I know have been great pressures and difficulties. It is important for him to know he does not and will not stand alone, should he decide to make an historic and bold step toward peace. In this [end p1] respect, your encouragement to the King is most important.

[Next six lines (beginning of paragraph) blocked out by declassifying agency (approximately 50 words).] That I am totally committed to my proposals has been clearly and repeatedly stated. I know that time is important if the present opportunity for progress towards peace is not to wither away. We need to hear the Arabs say unequivocally that they are willing to give peace negotiations a chance to produce what five wars in the last 35 years have not produced and what future wars cannot produce – stability, dignity, prosperity, and peace for all the Middle East.

With the fullest recognition of the risks and difficulties which accompany the decision to become a partner in peace, I have assured King Hussein of my total support, friendship, and determination to succeed.

Thank you again for your support and efforts to help in this most noble cause.

Sincerely,
Ron