MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“We should still rejoice,” says Lady Thatcher

Baroness Thatcher: “I feel privileged, and very moved, in making this broadcast”

On Wednesday 13th June 2007, the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falkland Islands, Lady Thatcher sends a radio message to the Islanders and British Forces, recalling her memories of the “gravest decision” she made during her premiership.

Recorded by BFBS Radio at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, Lady Thatcher says she feels "privileged and very moved" to be broadcasting to the people of the Islands: "Twenty five years ago, British Forces secured a great victory in a noble cause. The whole nation rejoiced at the success; and we should still rejoice. Aggression was defeated and reversed. The wishes of local people were upheld as paramount. Britain's honour and interests prevailed." Lady Thatcher takes the opportunity to praise British Forces â€" both then and now: "We could never at any stage be sure of what the outcome of the Falklands War would be. But of two other things I couldbe sure â€" first that our cause was just, and second that no finer troops could be found in the world than those of our country. That is still the case." Lacking none of her resolve, Lady Thatcher delivers a quiet and measured message and says that, on the anniversary of the Liberation, the Falkland Islanders are "in my thoughts and in my prayers". She ends by saying: "â€Ã‚¦let us also recall the many battlefronts where British Forces are engaged today. There are in a sense no final victories, for the struggle against evil in the world is never ending. "Fortune does, in the end, favour the brave. And it is Britain's good fortune that none are braver than our Armed Forces. Thank you â€" all." (BFBS)