[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[June 20, 1991]
[Pages 700-701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following Discussions With Former Prime Minister Margaret 
Thatcher of the United Kingdom
June 20, 1991

    The President. I don't think we're having a press conference, but I 
want to just take this opportunity to say how much General Scowcroft and 
I have enjoyed a visit with the former Prime Minister. Over an hour, she 
shared with us her views on the Soviet Union, having returned from a 
very interesting and very constructive trip not so long ago. We are 
anticipating a meeting today of Mr. Yeltsin, and this debrief or my 
picking her brains, as I did, is extraordinarily helpful in that 
context, as in many other contexts.
    But Margaret, I just want to thank you for

[[Page 701]]

popping in, and you are welcome at any time.
    Mrs. Thatcher. Thank you very much, Mr. President, I've enjoyed it 
enormously. They're historic days: democracy has come to the Soviet 
Union. It now has to be backed up by full economic reform, with everyone 
pulling together. Thank you very much. Thank you so much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 8:10 a.m. on the South 
                        Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the 
                        President for National Security Affairs, and 
                        Boris Yeltsin, President of the Republic of 
                        Russia. A tape was not available for 
                        verification of the content of these remarks.