Thatcher's Britain backed Soviet control of isles

LONDON (Kyodo) The British government sided with the Soviet Union at the end of 1979 over its control of the disputed islands off Hokkaido while showing sympathy for Japan, according to a document obtained Monday.

"While we might at times sympathize with the Japanese, we have been inclined to the view that Soviet control over all these territories was recognized by international agreements to which we were party," the document says.

The confidential document, obtained from London's National Archives after a freedom of information request, was prepared by the Far Eastern Department of Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office under the government of Margaret Thatcher, who became prime minister in May 1979.