"She was an outstanding figure of our times, a wise and strong-willed politician who, to a large extent, determined not only the course of her own country's history but that of Europe as well," he told BNS.
Seeking recognition for Lithuania's recently-declared independence, Landsbergis first met Thatcher in London in 1990.
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| Vytauto Valentinvičiaus nuotr./Vytautas Landsbergis |
"It was the first autumn of our restored independence when I went to Western capitals seeking support to our restored state that was threatened by Soviet violence," Landsbergis said.
"It was a visit to her official residence on 10 Downing Street. I talked about the political situation and about threats to Lithuania in late 1990, since we seceded the Soviet Union budget and were facing a total economic destruction," the former chairman of the Supreme Council-Reconstituent Seimas said.
"I remember, she could not believe it and said "you are producing for them as well and they need your production, your industry." Well, but we knew the character of that government which can take revenge on the disobedient even to the detriment for itself," Landsbergis said.
He said he asked Thatcher during the meeting to back Lithuania's participation in a conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Paris. In his words, the then British prime minister promised to do so but later "could not cause any conflicts" under an ultimatum by Mikhail Gorbachev.
During the meeting, Landsbergis also reminded Thatcher of her previous stance while in opposition to resist handover of Lithuania's gold to the Soviet Union.
"I reminded her of this fact when the Soviet Union demanded gold owned by Lithuania to be handed over to it, and Thatcher, a young opposition member of the House of Commons, protested against the move by the Labor Cabinet. By reminding it, I also raised the issue of whether Lithuania could expect recognition by Great Britain and return of Lithuania's gold. We agreed that I would describe the whole matter in writing. That same night, I was sitting in London and writing a letter to her that I left upon leaving, and the issue moved in a positive direction," Landsbergis recalls.
"These are concrete political matters which also showed her unrestrained mind and way of thinking which definitely was not subservient to the Soviet Union and its leader and will to resolve issues in a dignified and right way," the Lithuanian politician said.
The second time Landsbergis met the Thatcher was in her private home after her political retirement and "that was an even warmer and friendlier conversation."
"These are my memories which are very pleasant for me. I will bow my head on the day of her funeral," Landsbergis said.
Thatcher died on Monday morning at the age of 87. The firm and highly-eloquent Iron Lady led the British government between 1979 and 1990.
