From the S&S archives:
Thatcher praises 'successful visit'

LONDON (S&S) — President Reagan, scorned by many Britons as "the sheriff of the Western world" before the start of his three-day stay here, was heaped with praise by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher before he left Wednesday.

Thatcher thanked Reagan for a "tremendously successful visit."

The prime minister made the remarks in front of her official residence, 10 Downing St., after she and Reagan emerged together at mid-morning to address members of the press after their joint working breakfast.

Thatcher thanked both Reagan and Secretary of State Alexander Haig for "their staunch support over the Falkland Islands and their agreement that aggression cannot pay."

The president, speaking after Thatcher, reiterated U.S. "support for Britain in the Falkland Islands, where aggression cannot be allowed to succeed," and said the current bond between the United States and Britain is "stronger than it has ever been."

During their hour-long meeting the two leaders also discussed the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. "We are in agreement on (United Nations) Resolution 508. We hope for a cease-fire," the president said.

Thatcher said, "We discussed the Middle East in a wide context and we agreed wholly with the aims of U.N Resolution 508 which calls for a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of Israeli troops. The United Kingdom is firmly behind the efforts of (U.S. envoy Philip) Habib."

Reagan said the United States and Britain "agree on realistic arms control — that is, a reduction of arms to remove the possibilities of war."

Reagan called the talk with Thatcher "a most important meeting for us."

As Reagan concluded his remarks, a reporter shouted out a question addressing bilateral talks. The president paused as if to answer it, but Thatcher took him by the arm and steered him toward his car, saying that the president had to hurry to catch his plane to Bonn, the next stop on his European swing.

The president's motorcade then roared off to nearby Buckingham Palace where Reagan's helicopter, Marine One, then carried him to London's Heathrow Airport where the president jetted off to Germany aboard Air Force One.

Tuesday night, at a Windsor Castle banquet for Reagan, Queen Elizabeth II delivered what the British press called the most forthright speech of her 28-year reign.

The monarch, whose son Prince Andrew is fighting in the Falklands as a Sea King helicopter pilot, put herself at the head of Britain's war effort with an outright condemnation of Argentine aggression in the South Atlantic.

"These past weeks have been testing ones for this country," she told Reagan, "when once again we have had to stand up for the cause of freedom.

"The conflict in the Falkland Islands was thrust upon us by naked aggression and we are naturally proud of the way our fighting men are serving their country.

"Throughout the crisis we have drawn comfort from the understanding of our position shown by the American people. We have admired the honesty, patience and skill with which you have performed your dual role as an ally and an intermediary."

The queen's remarks made clear reference to Haig's marathon negotiating shuttle this spring.

"In return, we can offer an understanding of how hard it is to bear the daunting responsibilities of world power," the queen continued.

"The fact that your people have shouldered that burden for so long now, never losing the respect and affection of your friends, is proof of a brave and generous spirit."

The queen emphasized: "Our commitment to a common cause has led us to fight together in two world wars and to continue to stand together today in defense of freedom."

In turn, Reagan told the guests that the greatest glory of people born in freedom is to transmit that freedom to their children.

The queen's performance was seen here Wednesday as significant in cementing Anglo-American relationships, recently put under strain by U.S. attitudes on Northern Ireland.