Margaret Thatcher: 'She was an independent but reliable ally, whose counsel I valued'
Former US president George HW Bush recalls Margaret Thatcher, a leader of rare courage.
By George H.W. Bush
Telegraph.co.uk
From the very first day I knew her, Margaret Thatcher was never without opinion, forcefully stated. We first met in my hometown, Houston, Texas, back in 1977 when I was asked to introduce her at an English Speaking Union event. I was struck not only by her clear speaking ability, but also the clear principles that animated her talk. She possessed a presence, a charisma, which had already propelled her rise in British politics. It was really no surprise when she was elected prime minister two years later.
As vice–president, I saw a great deal of Margaret during my frequent travels to London and on each of her visits to the United States.
We forged a warm friendship, but were not as close as she was with President Reagan – for whom Margaret had a great and understandable affection. Once elected to the presidency, I kept foremost in mind the importance of the US–British relationship, and to be sure Margaret never hid her considerable regard for the United States. She worked diligently to make sure this "special" relationship remained intact.
We had a few more policy differences than she had experienced with President Reagan, but we always managed to iron them out.
On issues, Margaret was a fearless, unrelenting advocate for democracy, free markets and human rights. She was an independent but also reliable ally, whose counsel I sought and valued on so many of the great challenges we confronted together – from the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the liberation of Eastern Europe, to arms control, to the critical, early days leading to Desert Storm. Always and ever, I found her a wise friend for the United States, for myself, and for the universal cause of freedom that eternally binds our peoples.
In her day, Margaret was a woman of rare courage and conviction who blazed new political trails and pushed back the horizon of achievement, but it was for her bold leadership and sound principles that Margaret Thatcher has earned her place among the lions in British history.
She will no doubt rank among the great western leaders of the 20th century.
Though she lost a painful Conservative Party leadership election in November of 1990, while we were in the midst of a critical CSCE meeting in Paris, she handled what was a shocking defeat with trademark class and resolve. I was saddened and surprised when we received the news of this loss as our friendship had deepened and grown steadily warmer during my time in office.
Margaret was, to so many of us Yanks, the visage of British sensibility – no nonsense but cheerful, brimming with virtue and purpose, a doer. But most of all, she and Denis were dear friends to Barbara and me, and while we mourn her loss we find great comfort that she is at last reunited with her beloved husband and resting in the eternal peace of the Father.
'Always and ever, I found her a wise friend for the United States, for myself, and for the universal cause of freedom'