Brighton Bomb: McFarlane minute for Reagan (suggested call to MT) [“nice gesture to complement your personal message”] [declassified 2000]

Document type:	Declassified documents
Venue:	White House
Source:	Reagan Library: NSA Head of State File (Box 36)
Editorial comments:	Declassified 28 March 2000. The President initiated the call, which took place 1620-1626, Washington time (President's Personal Log). The transcript remains classified.
Importance ranking:	Major
Word count:	213 words
Themes:	Foreign policy (USA), Northern Ireland, Terrorism, MT contacts with Ronald Reagan

Declassified F96-107#303
By SMF, NARA, Date 3/28/00

Confidential

The White House
Washington

RECOMMENDED TELEPHONE CALL

To: Prime Minister Thatcher
Date: October 12, 1984
Recommended by: Robert C. McFarlane
Purpose: To deplore the Brighton bomb attack
Background: It would be a nice gesture to complement your personal message to Mrs. Thatcher with a phone call.

Topics of discussion:
1. I have sent you a message about the cowardly bomb attack, but wanted as well to tell you personally how much we deplore this horrible attack.
2. Am especially happy that you were not personally injured. Please extend my wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.
3. This deplorable act again demonstrates that we must do all we can to stop terrorism. A dedicated terrorist will always have some success, but we must make their task difficult.
4. On a separate [sic] matter, I receive your letter on the Gromyko meeting and share your hope that it will mark the beginning of a new phase in our efforts to engage the Soviets in constructive dialogue.

[Handwritten annotation:]
“Call made”