BUSH, THATCHER EXCHANGE PRAISE.(Main)

Byline: Associated Press

President Bush, winding up a triumphant European tour, declared today the United States has a "very, very special relationship" with Britain, and described Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as a friend with whom he could "take off the gloves and talk from the heart."

Thatcher, in turn, was effusive in praising Bush. "We think very much the same way, which isn't surprising," she said.

"It's the end of containment, it's freedom on the offensive, a peaceful offensive throughout the world," she said.

The two leaders, allies in a successful bid at the NATO summit to keep short-range nuclear missiles on West German soil, conferred for nearly two hours at 10 Downing St. and then stepped outside to brief reporters.

Bush, who returns home Friday, said "the special relationship" which former President Reagan established with Thatcher "is continuing and will continue."

Saying they had a …