411. Message From President Reagan to British Prime Minister Thatcher 1

Dear Margaret:

Reading your message of November 4,2 I realize that our understanding of these events is indeed quite different. I can assure you, Margaret, that the United States did not make a decision to support Argentina against Britain, or to support dictatorship against democracy. Neither did we abandon the principle of self-determination. We reaffirmed our support for a negotiated settlement to a long-standing conflict. We have supported the principle of negotiation throughout this long, difficult dispute. It is the principle to which Britain herself has adhered for so many years with regard to this and other disputes. Certainly, we will never alter our view that a people must ultimately determine their own future and certainly we mean this with regard to the people on the Falklands.

Finally, you and I have supported each other in the past because of our shared faith in the Anglo-American relationship and our shared commitment to the same fundamental principles and values. I feel sure neither you nor I will abandon those principles and values nor the effort to help our peoples understand their application in this complex, difficult world.

I assure you we stand as firmly with you on the principles of non-use of force, of negotiation and self-determination as ever.

Ron
  1. Source: Reagan Library, William P. Clark Files, Falklands War (UN/Kirkpatrick/Haig) 06/06/1982–11/04/1982. Secret; Flash. Sent for immediate delivery in telegram WH07725 from the White House to the Cabinet Office via Cabinet Office channels.
  2. See Document 409.