198 1 One day, in a conference hall near Ottawa, Canada, then President Ronald? Reagan scribbled on a piece of paper. After the meeting, Reagan left. British Prime Minister Margaret sat by? Mrs Thatcher quietly put away the newspaper, took it back to Downing Street 10 in London, and later put it in her own residence.
On March 12 and 17, Churchill Archives Center of Cambridge University published a batch of private files of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, including unknown stories, confidential political information of that year and past fragments showing Margaret Thatcher's female characteristics. Richard, a professor of British history? Aldous's new book "Reagan and Thatcher: Difficult Friendship" recently revealed more anecdotes and fierce confrontation between them.
Proximity of distance
Thatcher and Reagan first met in 1975.
Margaret. Thatcher was the leader of the British Conservative Party, but politicians at Westminster Palace in London didn't buy it. Ronald. Reagan is a "player" in Hollywood. He sought the presidential nominations of the United States and communist party, but was looked down upon by Washington's political elite. They are all "outsiders" and let them hit it off. According to the people present, "they talked like friends for many years, and they were very congenial and affectionate."
Six years after meeting again, Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister in British history, and she was in power for a period of time; Reagan entered the White House, and his support rate is still high.
The differences between Britain and America seem to have little effect on their relationship. A reporter once photographed two people walking alone on the White House lawn accompanied by assistants and bodyguards. At that time, the media joked that Mrs Thatcher and Reagan looked like an "old couple".
In the early 1980s, Britain and the United States were ostensibly allies, and politically United against the Soviet Union. However, the newly disclosed Margaret Thatcher document shows that Britain and the United States actually had their own opinions at that time, and they were very cautious when joking with each other, which belonged to "watching the fire from the other side."
Margaret Thatcher served as British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990; Reagan was elected president on 1980, 1 1 and was sworn in on 198 1. After Reagan took office, the United States had a tendency to boycott Britain, fearing that Britain would "infect" the low support rate, economic recession, high unemployment rate and urban violence of the British government at that time.
On the second day of Reagan's inauguration, Mrs. Thatcher called Reagan and told him, "Many American newspapers say that President Reagan must avoid Mrs. Thatcher's mistakes, so I must report to you." Margaret Thatcher's frankness to Reagan won Reagan an invitation from Margaret Thatcher to visit the United States. In February of the same year, she became the first foreign leader to visit the United States at the invitation of the Reagan administration.
At that time, Alfred was a senior adviser to the Prime Minister? Sherman warned Mrs Thatcher that Americans and Britons have different policies towards Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the United States supports South Africa's continued apartheid and believes that Britain has "catalyzed" anti-apartheid sentiment in South Africa. In short, Sherman said, the views of the United States and Britain are gradually deviating.
Margaret Thatcher visited Washington with these suggestions, but the contact atmosphere between the two sides was friendly. After returning to Britain, Margaret Thatcher not only evaluated the "success" of this visit, but also personally called the British ambassador to the United States: "I have confidence in President Reagan. I believe that he will do what he should do and will not give up easily. "
After that visit, they became very close and called each other "Lee" and "Margaret".
Like an old couple.
Among the newly disclosed documents, there is a small note with graffiti works similar to children's cartoons.
One day in July, the G-7 summit was held in Ottawa. Reagan looked impatient when other leaders spoke at the meeting. He scribbled on the paper with a pen. After Reagan left, Mrs Thatcher quietly collected pieces of paper.
She told me that she was fascinated by President Reagan's graffiti. Margaret. Chris, a historical researcher at the Thatcher Foundation? Collins said, "She put the newspaper in the folder and took it back to Downing Street 10." Later, she put it in her apartment. "
In this "work", Reagan scribbled five heads, one of which seems to be a self-portrait. In addition, he drew the upper body and one eye of a muscular man. In the lower right corner of the paper, Reagan signed his name and drawing place, and marked the word "graffiti". Some historical researchers believe that this painting shows Reagan's "free" mentality at that time.
Also at this meeting, then Canadian Prime Minister Pierre? Trudeau haughtily mocked Reagan's economic policies. When Reagan was speechless, Margaret Thatcher said, "Pierre, you are so annoying. Don't be naughty like a naughty pupil. "
Margaret Thatcher's salvation brought Reagan's love for her. Once, on Mrs. Thatcher's birthday, Reagan said in his congratulatory message, "I feel honored to share so many other moments in my life with you!" " "Many people exclaimed," this tone is like a dialogue between husband and wife. When Margaret Thatcher was overwhelmed by the strike in China, Reagan also gave her timely support: "I miss you, and I believe you will overcome the difficulties as before. "
Politics is on the left and friendship is on the right.
In fact, there is more than warmth and love between two people.
Margaret Thatcher believed that Reagan was an obstacle as long as Britain's interests were taken into account. A former British ambassador to the United States once said, "If you tell your wife what she really thinks of Reagan, you will definitely turn the two countries into enemies."
They quarreled for the first time because the United States wanted to provide technical equipment to some countries in order to fight against the Soviet Union, but this did harm the interests of British companies. Margaret Thatcher and Reagan spoke on the phone. But after listening to her nagging, Reagan gently reminded her: "America is the boss." Mrs Thatcher was depressed, and she didn't want to admit it.
However, Margaret Thatcher, the "iron lady", is not easy to give in.
1982, Britain and Argentina compete for the ownership of the Malvinas Islands. Margaret Thatcher thought the United States would support her. No, Reagan told her on the phone that "this is very difficult for the United States" and asked her to stop military operations. The "Iron Lady" was shocked, resolutely refused to stop, and even gave her the mobile phone. A few weeks later, the war ended and Britain became the winner. So Reagan called Mrs. Thatcher again and tried to make peace with her. According to Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: Difficult Friendship, Reagan "said a lot of frank things and so on."
At a meeting on 1985, Margaret Thatcher talked with Reagan and his aides in Washington. "She talked and talked, and some of us indicated to speak, but she said, let me make this clear and then continue." An American recalled. Later, the American party left without anger or laughter.
She is a great speaker, but not a good listener. Sometimes Reagan can only complain to Mrs. Thatcher in private. Although they often quarrel, they always calm down in the end.
They all know that they need each other.
1994, when Reagan was 83 years old, doctors diagnosed him with Alzheimer's disease. Knowing that his illness would only get worse, Reagan wrote to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, hoping that one day she could attend her funeral. It is said that Mrs. Thatcher read this letter, resisted her grief and agreed to Reagan's request.
Who knows, six years later, in 2000, Mrs. Thatcher's memory declined obviously, and she also suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Thinking of her commitment to Reagan and fearing that she would not attend Reagan's funeral, she asked someone to help record the eulogy at Reagan's funeral.
On June 5, 2004, Reagan died. During his two presidential terms from 198 1 to 1989, the American public gave him mixed reviews. However, after his death, Americans all thought that he was the best of the ten presidents since the end of World War II.
At Reagan's funeral on June 1 1, Margaret Thatcher received special treatment and became the first foreign leader to give a speech at the funeral. That day, the doctor thought that Mrs. Thatcher's physical condition was not suitable for giving a speech alone, so he played his own recorded eulogy. Margaret Thatcher said in her eulogy that no one can represent Americans and the American spirit better than President Reagan.
Margaret Thatcher once publicly declared that President Reagan was the most important person in her life except her husband. Reagan also publicly praised Margaret Thatcher as "the dragon and phoenix of England". Their friendship ended successfully, and Margaret Thatcher faithfully fulfilled her promise to her friends.
More and more people think that the friendship between Reagan and Margaret Thatcher is just a chapter in the special relationship between the United States and Britain. Only the special relationship between the United States and Britain can truly establish this kind of friendship between the leaders of the two countries.