With the recent passing of Great Britain’s ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher earlier this week, the United States of America today expressed sadness with Baroness Thatcher’s passing.
Reports say Margaret Thatcher died of a stroke on Monday at the age of 87. Her death made headlines and mixed reactions worldwide.
In a press statement in Washingto DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry says the US joins millions across the United Kingdom and around the world in mourning her loss and celebrating her life.
“We pray especially for Carol and Mark and their families.” – Secretary Kerry
He says the United States has lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a transformative leader who broke the glass ceiling in global politics.
“With her characteristic determination, she defined grit on the world stage and grace in the face of advancing age and illness.” – Secretary Kerry
Secretary Kerry: Lady Thatcher took the helm of government amid tumultuous times
According to Secretary Kerry, Lady Thatcher would face wars abroad, terrorism at home, and deep uncertainty about the United Kingdom’s future.
She met all these challenges and many others with unyielding drive and courage, he added.
Secretary Kerry states the US celebrates especially the way, with a hand outstretched across the Atlantic, Lady Thatcher strengthened the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom a relationship that remains a driving force for freedom, justice, and democracy.
“In 1985, when I was a newly sworn Senator, Prime Minister Thatcher spoke to our Congress.” – Secretary Kerry
He narrates the threat of a Soviet Empire she warned against has given way to a new set of global challenges, but US alliance with the United Kingdom remains an unrivaled source of strength in today’s challenges from Afghanistan to Syria.
Who is the Iron Lady?
Lady Margaret Thatcher was born on October 13, 1925, in Grantham, England. She became Britain’s Conservative Party leader and was elected prime minister in 1979. She was the first woman to hold the position.
During her three terms, Lady Thatcher is knowned for her efforts to cut social welfare programs, curbed trade union power and privatized some industries.
Nicknamed the “Iron Lady,” lady Thatcher served as the prime minister of England from 1979 to 1990.
The daughter of a local businessman, she was educated at a local grammar school at Grantham Girls’ High School.
In 1947, Lady Thatcher earned a degree in chemistry in 1947 and later worked as a research chemist in Colchester.
Lady Thatcher resigned in 1991 due to unpopular policy.
In her later years, Lady Thatcher battled memory problems. Due to her strokes, Thatcher retreated from the spotlight and lived a laid back life at her home in London’s Belgravia neighborhood.
Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013, at the age of 87 and was survived by her two children, daughter Carol and son Sir Mark.
US-UK Alliance Remains Stronger Than Ever
Working together to make a powerful difference in world affairs, United States of America and United Kingdom have reaffirmed stronger alliance in the 21st century.
In his remarks with Foreign Secretary William Hague after their meeting in London, Secretary of State John Kerry says one thing that binds the United States and Great Britain is a special relationship, a partnership of the heart.
Both countries thrived together in peace and stood together time and time again in order to meet the world’s great challenges.
In the 21st century, both countries face new and a more complex set of challenges, but together, it is absolutely clear that US-UK partnership remains stronger than ever.
On Syrian Crisis
Both countries agree that the Syrian people deserve better than the horrific violence that now invades and threatens their everyday lives– the lives of innocent people, the lives of people who simply want an ability to have their government be accountable and to be able to be part of the governance of their own lives.
US is grateful for UK’s effort to help dial up the pressure on the regime, for their contributions of humanitarian aid, and for hosting the transition conference last month.
Both countries also pledged to continue to work closely to address the growing humanitarian crisis, and to support the Syrian Opposition Council.
Both countries are coordinating with the Syrian Opposition Coalition, and both are coordinating with the UN, and with others in order to help get relief to the victims who need that help.
On Middle East Peace Process
Both countries share a vision of two states living side by side in peace and security for Israel and Palestine.
Both countries are attach to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Both agree that there is no more urgent foreign policy priority in 2013 than restarting negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Both countries also assert that the region and the world can’t afford the current dangerous impasse in the peace process; for if they don’t make progress very soon, then the two-state solution could become impossible to achieve.
With the long history of partnership and collaboration, the United States and Great Britain have made countries both stronger, and made the world more stable and secure.
