President Bush arrived Friday in Bermuda where he looked forward to "constructive talks" with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on the Western Alliance and the upcoming superpower summit.
Bush was greeted by Thatcher, who arrived in Bermuda Thursday, and Bermuda Gov. Sir Desmond Langley with full military honors under cloudy skies and gusty winds. Afterward, Bush and Thatcher began their first bilateral meeting in the elegant drawing room in Government House.Bush said the purpose of his visit with Thatcher is part of a "continued series of consultations. It is extremely important that allies stay in close touch during these times of dramatic change in Europe."
The meeting with Thatcher is one of a series of talks Bush is holding with allies on East-West issues, such as German reunification, NATO and the economic and political challenges facing Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
In a statement to reporters Thursday, Bush noted dramatic political changes in Europe and the collapse of communism.
"Our discussions will be aimed at further strengthening the North Atlantic Alliance during this period of momentous change in the world," Bush's statement said.
White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Bush hoped to brief Thatcher on his meeting last week with Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze, as well as the May 30-June 3 summit in the United States with Gorbachev and the status of arms control negotiations. Thatcher and Gorbachev will meet in Kiev in June after the superpower summit.
The continuing showdown in Lithuania also was expected to be on the Bermuda agenda. Asked by reporters aboard Air Force One about a comment by Gorbachev that he did not want lectures on Lithuania, Bush said, "I can understand his position. The Soviets view it largely as an internal matter. Because of history we don't view it that way. I will continue to say what I think."
The new East German government indicated its support for NATO on Thursday. The United States wants a unified Germany under NATO and has stated its opposition to a Soviet proposal that Germany be part of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Thatcher's meeting with Bush was expected to boost her flagging popularity, a result of a tax revolt and policies blamed for Britain's increased isolation from the European community.
Thatcher's new poll tax policy sparked a riot two weeks ago that was considered one of England's worst in this century, and her traditional supporters - middle-income homeowners - are becoming increasingly unhappy with economic policies that have resulted in higher interest rates.
The president planned to play golf Saturday morning, after which he was to fly to Camp David, Md., to spend the rest of the Easter weekend with his family.