The Reagan Diaries

by Ronald Reagan

  Situation room for a hush hush on Cuba. They are uptight thinking we may be planning an invasion. We aren’t but we’ll let them sweat. We’re concerned that some place in the N.S.C.—State or C.I.A. we have a mole—there is too much information leaking.

  Friday, March 12–Sunday, March 14

  [Met with leaders of Business Round Table; generally supportive, but concerned about worsening inflation.]

  Pres. Mitterrand of France flew in just for the day—on the Concorde. We had good discussion and I convinced him to suspend shipment of weapons to Nicaragua until his and our Ambassadors there can get together. Ours will brief him on our evidence of Soviet and Cuban involvement there.

  We got along fine but the Press tried to make it sound as if we are at odds.

  [Went to Camp David; finished speeches for upcoming trip; felt that it “was nice to sleep in and keep no schedule”; saw films Shoot the Moon (1982) and Evil Under the Sun (1982); helicopter was diverted on the way back to Washington because of security concerns. Monday, March 15: flew to Montgomery, Alabama, to address legislature and Nashville, Tennessee, for fund-raisers. Tuesday, March 16: in Oklahoma City for speech before legislature; made last-minute detour to Fort Wayne, Indiana, site of flooding.]

  Wednesday, March 17

  P.M. Haughey of Ireland and his wife arrived. We had a big luncheon in the East room. It was a good get-together. Frank Patterson, the great Irish Tenor and his harpist wife Eily entertained. He explained what “Danny Boy” was before he sang it and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I never knew it was a mother saying goodbye to her son who was going off to war.

  Thursday, March 18

  Herr Straud, leader of the W. German Conservative Party came in. We had met with him in Munich in 1978. He’s a solid citizen who believes Schmidt’s party is falling apart—a leftist wing getting too strong.

  [Spoke to National Association of Manufacturers meeting and then publishers of black periodicals; reception for supporters of a congressional committee.]

  Friday, March 19

  [Met with builders groups looking for government subsidies for home mortgages.]

  Staff meeting on strategy to break log jam on budget with Dems. Part hinges on Cap W. finding some defense savings that he can say will not delay our defense rearming program. Also finding some unnamed sources that will not curtail our tax incentive plan. For all this we must get Dem. willingness to cut entitlements on a bi-partisan basis. Off to Camp David—rainy—saw “Das Boot” a German movie of a WWII submarine crew. Very good but strange to find yourself rooting for the enemy.

  [Saturday, March 20: work on speeches and mail; watched Deathtrap (1982); Sunday, March 21: returned to W.H.; vetoed bill to grant president allocation of fuel controls and signed a disaster order for Fort Wayne, Indiana, hit by floods; dined with Burt Reynolds, noted, “Had not known him well in Hollywood so surprised at his seriousness and his sincere crusade spirit against drugs, etc.”]

  Monday, March 22

  A busy Mon.—one of those pile-up days but finally cleared the debris away by late afternoon. Addressed farm paper editors. Met with Dem. & Repub. chairmen of committees on farm problems. I share their concern about the farmer’s plight but was surprised at how many of them had no concept of where grain sales could affect the world situation with the Soviets. I suggested that yes we could negotiate a long term grain contract with the Soviets but shouldn’t we get some concessions re Latin Am., Afghanistan, etc. The Soviets are, after all, in deep ec. trouble & need our help desperately.

  Met with Paul Laxalt’s Comm. on Federalism. Some want perfection before we start.

  Norman Podhoretz sent me his book on “Why We Were In Vietnam” personally inscribed: He wrote “To Pres. RR—Who always knew and still knows why we were in Vietnam and why it was indeed ‘a noble cause.’”

  Tuesday, March 23

  [Desk work in the morning, then flew to New York City for the National Conference of Christians and Jews dinner, received an award presented by Henry Kissinger; large demonstrations outside.]

  Wednesday, March 24

  Met with business leaders on private initiative program; cabinet council meeting on matters including drug problem.

  Prosecutors of Hinckley called on me. They want me to testify in the trial. No President has ever done that before. Staff lean very much against—I’m not as sure as I was that it would be wrong.

  [Noted arrival of Betsy Bloomingdale as a W.H. guest.]

  Thursday, March 25

  Pres. Pertini of Italy arrived—1st visit to U.S. He’s 84 and a terrific old gentleman. We had the full ceremony under a warm sun. Good meeting. He loves America—very touching moment on the way into the W.H. He paused by the Marine holding our flag and kissed it.

  N.S.C. meeting to hear Sen. Buckley’s report on Europe trip trying to get them to join us in shutting off credit to Soviets. I proposed a plan for consideration—that we explore if time hadn’t come to confront the Russians and tell them all the things we could do for them if they’d quit their bad acting and decide to join the civilized world.

  State dinner a huge success—a really fun time and great entertainment by Perry Como and Frank Sinatra.

  Friday, March 26

  Briefing on Soviet Ec. They are in very bad shape and if we can cut off their credit they’ll have to yell “Uncle” or starve. We had cabinet meetings on our own economy. It is imperative that we get further budget cuts. So far the Dems. aren’t budging. Our strategy is to move them toward bipartisan agreement on the entitlements—the only real savings must be found there.

  [Telephoned Ted Cummings, U.S. ambassador to Austria, regarding his health.]

  Called Geo. Schultz in S.A. and asked him to do a mission for us in Europe and Japan. What a nice man—busy as he is he agreed.

  Jim Brady came in—we had a small wine taste of some 19th century wines brought by a friend of his—a dealer.

  Al and I are on opposite sides I’m afraid about China. He wants to make concessions which in my view betray our pledge to Taiwan. We’ll have to work it out.

  Had lunch with about 80 or 100 Black Clergy. I think they understand us better now.

  Saturday, March 27

  Sat. off—except that Bill Clark and others didn’t take the day off. A steady stream of manila envelopes kept coming to my desk. Spent the day reading.

  Come evening, White Tie and Tails—The Gridiron dinner. I think it was the best yet. The smash of the evening was Nancy. This had to be one of the best kept secrets. The Repub. skit was a choral rib of Nancy about clothes. She had left the head table supposedly for the powder room. Suddenly there she was on stage—even the cast wasn’t in on the secret. She was dressed in a hokey costume and sang a parody of “Second Hand Rose”—Second hand clothes. She was carrying a plate which she smashed as a finale. It brought the house down. She got 2 standing ovations. Maybe this will end the sniping.

  Sunday, March 28

  Lunch at the Bushes with Billy Graham, the Sulsbergers, Thompsons (L.A. Times) and others. Spent most of my time with the Sulsberger children talking movies. Didn’t get in on George and Nancy’s tête-à-tête with Billy but they are going to fill me in.

  Back to the W.H. and the last in the series of Young American Artists for P.B.S. Gene Kelly brought some wonderful young dancers from Martha Graham, and the S.F. Ballet.

  Monday, March 29

  [Addressed National Association of Realtors.]

  Meetings with Al Haig about China and Taiwan. State wanted to send a paper to the P.R.C. and letters from me because we are about to send mil. equipment and spare parts to Taiwan. I objected to some of the terms they wanted in these papers—the note of almost apology to the P.R.C. I’m convinced the Chinese will respect us more if we politely tell them we have an obligation to the people and Taiwan and no one is going to keep us from meeting it. We didn’t send the papers.

  [Tuesday, March 30: noted the “anniversary of another March 30th”; Cabinet Council meetin
g on mandatory retirement age, coming out against it; visit from Chief Rabbi of Israel, who was against the establishment of a Palestinian state; photo session; meeting with Senators Bob Dole (R-KS) and Russell B. Long (D-LA) on deficit and taxes.]

  Wednesday, March 31

  [Visited by National Arthritis Foundation poster girls; spoke to winners of high school democracy contest.]

  Nancy Kassebaum and the Cong. group who went to El Salvador to observe the election reported in. They told the most inspiring stories about the people standing in line 10 to 12 hours in order to vote. I liked it best when they said the people chanted at the press (our press) “Tell the Truth.”

  Spent 2 hours in a Q&A with my gang preparing for the press conf. It’s over now—held it in East room, 8 P.M. live. I think I won. Dr. Burton Smith in town—dropped by with Dan R. He’s checking my plumbing tomorrow.

  Thursday, April 1

  Met with Gordon Luce & reps. of “Savings & Loan” industry. They are really in trouble and again because of the high interest rates. We are trying to help in several ways.

  [Medical tests; results normal; Mrs. Reagan in Atlanta.]

  Friday, April 2

  A couple of Rose Garden signing ceremonies on the 2nd nice day in a row. Met with U.S. Canada Border Commission. Had Cabinet Council meeting on Prayer in Schools and Busing. We’ll try for a Const. Amendment on prayer.

  Paul Laxalt and I lunched on the patio. A good talk on our budget problems. He’s on the task force (bi-partisan) that’s trying to work out a compromise. He seems pretty optimistic. Dick Wirthlin came in—more bad polling news. I’m slipping badly in the polls. I think it reflects the constant media drumbeat of biased reporting against what we’re trying to do. After the press conference the calls were heavy in my favor and a goodly number jumped all over the press.

  Worked on 1st 5 min. radio spot—do tomorrow. Nancy came home—now the place seems better. Last night I called the Pres. of Argentina—talked for 40 min. trying to persuade him not to invade the Falkland Islands (property of U.K. since 1540 or so). Argentina has been trying to claim them for 149 years. I got nowhere. This morning they landed some 1000 or so men. Population of islands is only 2000 almost all English. Now we learn there is a possibility of oil there.

  Saturday, April 3

  Oval office and did 1st of weekly 5 min. radio broadcast live—we’re going to do. Talked about recovery from recession and why our ec. program is best answer.

  The argument about a nuclear freeze is heating up. Big issue is freeze now with Russians out ahead, or negotiate a substantial verifiable reduction—then freeze. I support the latter. Some critics are upset because in the recent press conf. I flatly stated Russians are ahead of us.

  [Went to Camp David despite poor weather; enjoyed the movie The Awful Truth (1937). Sunday, April 4: alternating sun and snow; returned to W.H.]

  Monday, April 5

  [Breakfast for Republican freshmen congressmen.]

  Met with Nat. Security Planning group re a former Nicaraguan rebel leader who has left the govt. there and wants to head up a counter revolution.

  Tried something new with press. Had them come into the Oval Office and gather round the desk. It worked darn well. I took advantage of the occasion to announce I’d be speaking to U.N. Arms Limitation Conf. in June after return from Europe. Also suggested Brezhnev should do the same. That was the evening news.

  Went to Hilton Hotel—to speak to same group I addressed a yr. ago on March 30. They didn’t exactly fall all over me. Their business—bldg. trade is hurting and they’d really like some govt. handouts. Cap. W. home from Asia—now we’ll try to get the MX back in the budget.

  Met with Lyn N.—he drops in every once in awhile.

  Tuesday, April 6

  Fairly quiet day except in the So. Atlantic. The Royal Navy is sailing toward the Falkland Islands to oust Argentina. Both sides want our help. I’m leaving Al Haig home from Barbados to cope with it. We have to find some way to get them to back off.

  Wednesday, April 7

  8:10 A.M. meeting on the So. Atlantic problem then off to Barbados—well Jamaica 1st at 10 AM.

  Sunday, April 11—Easter

  6 P.M. arrived back at the W.H. Hard to sum up the days since Wed. without writing a book. Wed. we arrived at Jamaica and went right into meetings with P.M. Seaga. Amazed at the warmth of the people and their sincere affection for Americans. Met Gov. Gen. and his lady—a state dinner at his residence. Next morning on to Barbados—again a series of meetings this time with P.M.’s of 6 Island Nations. An evening reception and then to Claudette’s (Claudette Colbert) for dinner. The Buckleys have joined us.

  Friday our one really clear day off was great. We went down to Claudette’s—all 4 of us—swam in the ocean, lunched, swam some more and then had dinner. She is a wonderfully warm and charming person. Sat. spent morning on homework. Talked to Al Haig in Buenos Aires on the Falkland Islands problem—did my radio broadcast and then to Claudette’s. The tide was high and the ocean rough with waves—surf breaking right on the beach. I swam anyway. Coming in was a chore against the undertow.

  Sunday—church at the oldest church in the Caribbean. Lunch again at Claudette’s then back to Wash.

  Monday, April 12th

  Hard to get back in the swing after being a beach bum for a day and a half.

  Al Haig is not too optimistic—called from London. Since he left Argentina things have deteriorated there. The Soviets have a number of ships in the vicinity of the U.K. fleet. […]

  [Met with Jewish leaders regarding the situation in the Middle East, stressed support of Israel; attended Easter Egg Roll with Mrs. Reagan; named Lionel Hampton Ambassador of Music for upcoming overseas tour.]

  Tuesday, April 13th

  Al Haig is on his way home. Chances for a peaceful settlement of the Falklands dispute seems very dim.

  Cabinet Council meeting on dairy products. Because of the ridiculous subsidy of dairy products the govt. has enough butter, cheese and dried milk to feed every human in the U.S. for a year.

  Lunch with religious leaders brought in for Bill Veritys Pvt. Initiative program.

  Signed a bill to authorize charitable gifts be allowed to help with Jim Brady’s medical bills. Heretofore, this was illegal for govt. employees.

  [Visit by Henry Kissinger on utilizing businessmen to improve East-West relations; met with fund-raisers for the Reagan Scholarship at Eureka College.]

  Wednesday, April 14

  Al Haig is back. We really have a tough problem and it hasn’t been made any easier by the press. In what I think is a most irresponsible act—engineered by Bernstein of the Post, they have charged that we are lending aid to Britain’s Navy in the Falkland dispute. This of course has set the Argentinians on fire. The charge is false. We are providing Eng. with a communications channel via satellite but that is part of a regular routine that existed before the dispute. To have cancelled it would have been taken as supporting the Argentine.

  We’re still in the game as to trying for a peaceful settlement & Al will be going to Argentina.

  [Reaches compromise position on military budget.]

  Thursday, April 15

  Income tax day. People actually demonstrating against paying their tax and Dem. Congressmen are demanding that we rescind our tax cuts or at least part of them.

  [Visited Chicago and announced plan for tuition tax credit at convention of Catholic educators.]

  Flew back to Wash. & spent half an hour on the phone with the Pres. Galtiere of Argentina. He sounded a little panicky and repeated several times they want a peaceful settlement of the Falklands problem.

  Friday, April 16

  A day with a schedule so full I couldn’t read the memos on my desk. Spoke to and lunched with broadcasters from all over the country. Met with 6 Islamic country Ambassadors. They are all fired up about the tragedy in Jerusalem. A demented young man opened up on the Mosque full of worshippers killing a number of them. This started 3 days of blo
ody riots. I plead with them to recognize this as the act of a deranged individual not the act of a govt. I think I made some headway.

  Meetings of every kind went on all day. Finally 2 back to back receptions for “Eagles.” Sen. Packwood made a speech in Oregon picking on me as the enemy. And he’s the chairman of our Sen. campaign committee.

  Saturday, April 17

  Departed for Camp David—Ron & Doria were here but he’s playing in Maryland. Broadcast my radio spot from C.D. Afternoon interrupted by phone calls—Bill Clark—re the Falkland situation. Al Haig is there and as of noon things looked hopeless. I called Margaret Thatcher to tell her I’d cabled him to return home if there was no break in the Argentine position. He used that message however and there must be some movement—he’s still there.

  [Sunday, April 18: received message of support from Pope John Paul II regarding peace efforts in Falklands dispute; Haig feeling optimistic about negotiations; rode horseback in the afternoon; returned to W.H.]

  Monday, April 19

  Al H. is on his way home. Argentina made some concessions but not nearly enough. Apparently Pres. Galtiere is overruled by the junta. He would try to work things out with Al, then he’d meet with the junta and everything would be back to ground zero.

  I don’t think Margaret Thatcher should be asked to concede anymore.

  Queen Beatrix of Holland and Prince Claus arrived on this beautiful spring day. She is a warm, charming lady. This time, no meetings to haggle over issues—theirs is a monarchy in which she is similar to the Queen of Eng. or the King of Spain.

  The state dinner was very nice and entertainment was by George Shearing and Brian Torf.

  Tuesday, April 20

  Met with Repub. Cong. Leadership. The budget was the subject. I think they were relieved to learn that I’m willing to compromise some in return for a bi-partisan program. I called Tip O’Neill—I’m not sure he’s ready to give. Tip is truly a New Deal liberal. He honestly believes that we’re promoting welfare for the rich.

  [Noted Haig’s latest, pessimistic report on Falklands; was moved by observation of Holocaust Day; press availability in Rose Garden.]