. >> jeffrey smith who wrote a joint biography on thatcher and reagan recalls it was thatcher who convincedorbachev was a soviet leader with whom they could finally do business. >> she phoned reagan and said, i have just met this new leader of soviet union. he is unlike any other leader of the soviet union. >> still, thatcher ended up sitting next to gorbachev at reagan's funeral in 2004. she was suffering health problems but wouldn't deny the chance to eulogize her friend and counterpart on videotape. >> we have lost a great president, a great american and a great man, and i have lost a dear friend. >> incidentally, wikileaks released 1.7 million records from the 1970s today and moth them is a purported 1975 cable from the u.s. state department that describes margaret thatcher this way, quote, she has a quick if not profound mind and works hard to master the most complicated brief. she fights her corner with skill and tough necessary but can be flexible when pressed. in dealing with the media or with subordinates she tends to be crisp and a trifle patronizing. with colleagues she's ahonest