(1) Sir Oliver Wright (UK Ambassador to the US) to Robert McFarlane, 28 Nov 1984:
British Embassy
Washington D.C.
28 November 1984:
Dear Bud,
I try not to impose speeches on busy men, not even my Prime Minister’s; but the enclosed interview on 31 October with Austrian TV is such vintage Thatcher that I thought I should make an exception and send you a copy in case a moment should open up in your schedule to enable you to read it.
Yours ever,
Oliver
(2) McFarlane to Wright, 10 Dec 1984:
The White House
Washington
December 10, 1984
Dear Oliver:
Thank you for your recent letter forwarding a transcript of Mrs. Thatcher’s interview on Austrian Television. You are quite right in your description: It is vintage Thatcher; thoughtful, pointed, and courageous. I have sent it to the President.
Again, thanks for thinking of us.
Sincerely,
Bud
(3) McFarlane memorandum for President Reagan, 10 Dec 1984:
The White House
Washington
December 10, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: ROBERT C. McFARLANE
SUBJECT: Mrs. Thatcher’s Interview on Austrian Television
British Ambassador Oliver Wright has forwarded us a copy of a recent interview Mrs. Thatcher gave on Austrian TV. Sir Oliver called it “vintage Thatcher”. I agree and thought you may wish to review it. Mrs. Thatcher made several striking and provocative points:
-- British Gratitude: Mrs. Thatcher emphatically states to a non-American audience that the Conservative Party is pro-American, and thanks America for its generosity in the sacrifices it makes defending Europe.
-- NATO: “NATO is strong. NATO is a strong alliance.” “The Soviet Union suffered the biggest defeat for a very long time when we stationed Cruise missiles [in Europe].”
-- Freedom: We realize that “freedom will not last just because it is freedom. Freedom will only endure if we are prepared to defend it.”
-- Arms Control: “I do not think the United States should give up anything in order to go to the negotiating table”.
-- East-West Relations: “We have had so much history together.” So our policy is “actively seeking better understanding as well as strength; defense, deterrence, and greater understanding”.
-- Deterrence: The purpose of nuclear weapons is to deter. “It has succeeded. I believe it will go on succeeding.”
-- Terrorism: It is a paradox that freedom offers freedom to do evil. You cannot eradicate evil, but you must make it acutely difficult for them.”
RECOMMENDATION:
That you peruse Mrs. Thatcher’s interview.
[Marked:] ”RR 12/11/84”
[Annotation by M[ichael Deaver], 22 Dec: “We will include a reference to the speech in your materials for her visit.”
Link to TV Interview for Austrian TV (ORF) (“vintage Thatcher”)