Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an immediate and formidable increase of economic strength to a Germany which was already the strongest economic partner in Europe.

Diplomacy is unfashionable in the world of knee-jerk reaction and the dogmatic sound bite on television.

We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us to pass judgment on the past.

If Margaret Thatcher had been Prime Minister at the time, there would have been no Treaty of Maastricht.

It is normal for politicians in all countries to profess themselves the pupils of history, anxious to draw the right lessons from her teaching.

Some people find it difficult to argue with a woman Prime Minister and shrivel up.

No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may be feasible without war, for example by allowing more time to the UN inspectors.