Word: thatcherism
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...seven major industrial democracies concluded their twelfth annual economic conference in Tokyo last week, their assessments of the meeting went beyond the typical rote claims of harmony. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone declared that the conference "reaffirmed mutual understanding and trust between us." British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher uttered a hearty "mission accomplished." Even that perennial summit spoilsport, French President Francois Mitterrand, exulted that the meeting was "the most relaxed" he had experienced. Said the most triumphant of the summiteers, Ronald Reagan: "It's no exaggeration to describe the Tokyo summit as the most successful of the six that...
...tough declaration against terrorism. During dinner with his fellow leaders on the first night of the summit, Reagan distributed a rambling ten-page position paper that Shultz, White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan and National Security Adviser John Poindexter had hurriedly drafted during the Air Force One flight. Thatcher, much to everyone's surprise, then pulled out a two-page proposal of her own. It included a checklist of direct measures that the allies could undertake...
While the summiteers slept, their aides (known as Sherpas) toiled until 4:30 a.m. on a statement. Copies were waiting for the leaders at their Monday conference. A Thatcher aide had scribbled on the British Prime Minister's copy: "P.M.: Report on the Sherpas' efforts. It's pretty weak." The Iron Lady emphatically agreed. Leaning toward her microphone, she declared, "I still don't think this is strong enough. It doesn't reflect our discussion last night." Reagan, happy to have someone else take the lead, quickly sided with her, as did Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney...
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher protested the decision strongly, though quietly, to Reagan, and other allied leaders were also upset. Reagan promised to take their views into account when the matter is discussed at another NSC meeting, perhaps this week. Abandoning SALT II would be a blow to the sputtering arms-control talks that resumed in Geneva last week. The timing could also be awkward: the Soviets are now hinting that they may agree to a Washington summit between Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in December, just when the breach would occur...
...mishap comes at an awkward time for Britain, where planners are eager to build a new generation of nuclear plants. While Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher declared last week, "The record of our own nuclear-power industry is absolutely superb," Chernobyl could force long delays in approval of the utilities. Once the disaster became known, environmental groups quickly called for demonstrations...