If we are safe today, it is because America has stood with us. If we are to remain safe tomorrow, it will be because America remains powerful and self-confident. Setbacks for her are setbacks for us. When, therefore, the Americans face difficulties we need to say more clearly: We stand with you.
@realmrsthatcher
Britain’s 49th Prime Minister – In office 4 May 1979 – 28 November 1990. Soundbites, quotes, and facts from the Iron Lady on issues of the day.
There are outlaw states whose intentions are demonstrably evil, whether supporting terrorism or developing nuclear, biological and chemical weapons which will be used to threaten us. We are entirely justified under the right of self-defence in using force to prevent them from realising their ambitions. If it can be done by negotiation, of course, that is better. But negotiations are rarely satisfactory with regimes for whom truth and honour mean nothing. Israel showed the way by its pre-emptive strike to destroy Iraq’s nuclear potential in the early eighties. Just imagine what would have been the prospects for peace in the Middle East if Iraq had acquired nuclear weapons. The use of force in this way is never to be undertaken lightly. The risks will always be great. But if we give up the option of pre-emptive action, we deprive ourselves of the only language which evil regimes understand and the only effective measure to protect ourselves from their schemes.
