Speaking in New York, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher thundered:
For years, many governments played down the threats of Islamic revolution, turned a blind eye to international terrorism and accepted the development of weaponry of mass destruction. Indeed, some politicians were happy to go further, collaborating with the self-proclaimed enemies of the West for their own short-term gain — but enough about the French. So deep had the rot set in that the UN security council itself was paralysed.
…Our own Prime Minister was staunch and our forces were superb. But, above, all, it is President Bush who deserves the credit for victory.
…[Ronald Reagan and I] knew, too, what did not work, namely socialism in every shape or form. Nowadays socialism is more often dressed up as environmentalism, feminism, or international concern for human rights. All sound good in the abstract. But scratch the surface and you will as likely as not discover anti-capitalism, patronising and distorting quotas, and intrusions upon the sovereignty and democracy of nations.
…There are too many people who imagine that there is something sophisticated about always believing the best of those who hate your country, and the worst of those who defend it.” [“Thatcher’s back and gunning for the French”, Times Online, May 15, 2003]