The Reagan Diaries

by Ronald Reagan

  Wednesday, August 4

  Awakened about 6:30 AM. by Bill Clark. The Israelis had moved to new positions within W. Beirut and were shelling the city. NSC meeting at 9:30—we sent reply to King Fahd re getting the P.L.O. to quit stalling & get out and a msg. to Begin from me that a ceasefire was necessary and continued offense could bring a drastic change in our future relationship.

  Then I moved to a full day of meetings—1 Cabinet but the rest with various groups of Reps. and Sens. re the tax bill and 1 on the resolution regarding a nuclear freeze.

  We won on the Const. amendment to balance the budget—69 to 31. Russell Long gave us the deciding vote.

  Met with Jack Kemp (alone) & then in leadership meeting. He is adamant that we are wrong on the tax increase. He is in fact unreasonable. The tax increase is the price we have to pay to get the budget cuts.

  Thursday, August 5

  Nancy left for Des Moines Iowa and Dallas Texas—back tomorrow night. But this place seems lonely as h--l when I know she isn’t here.

  Long Cabinet meeting on policy planning. We really found out why we came here. We saw and heard the impossible management structure of government. It is by any standard a cumbersome, costly incompetent monster.

  Rest of day met with various congressional groups on the tax bill and the nuclear freeze battle. Meantime the Sen. passed $12 bil. in spending cuts.

  I had to be a little stern in some of the meetings but it paid off. So did the phone calls on the nuclear freeze. We’ve just won it 204 to 202.

  [Friday, August 6: vacation plans changed due to upcoming votes in Congress; meetings with congressmen on taxes and with cabinet, discussed steel import issue; dentist visit; intention to veto spending bill; Mrs. Reagan returned; telephoned local officials eliciting support for Federalism plan. Saturday, August 7: worked on speech explaining support of tax increase bill; dinner party and movie, In Name Only (1939).]

  Sunday, August 8

  Again at the W.H. More of Saturdays work plus a long letter I feel I have to write to Loyal. I’m afraid for him. His health is failing badly.

  Tonite the Laxalts and we’re seeing “Stagecoach.”

  Monday, August 9

  [Phoned movie producer Doug Morrow, facing heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.]

  A lengthy cable from Habib outlining a complete plan for withdrawal of the P.L.O. from Beirut. I have my fingers crossed. Sharon cabled wants to come here Thurs. to see me. George S. cabled back that I would not undercut Habib by doing that & that he should talk to Habib, not me.

  [Met with congressmen regarding the tax bill; with others on tuition tax credit; Senator John Warner (R-VA) on MX missile program; farewell party for staffer; NSC meeting on START negotiating strategy; report of terrorist attack against Jews in Paris.]

  Nancy in tears when I came home—her father is back in the hospital. She’s going out there Wed. I wish I could bear her pain myself.

  Tuesday, August 10

  Things continue to look better in the Middle East.

  Met with Israeli opposition leader Shimon Peres of the Labor party. He’s quite a contrast to Begin and believes once P.L.O. leaves Beirut Israel should leave Lebanon. Believes also we must resolve the Palestinian problem. Surprisingly he wants us to continue befriending the Arabs and wants Jordan brought into the peace process.

  Most of day spent in meetings with Congressmen (& ladies) re the tax bill. We’re up against a strange mix—it isn’t going to be easy.

  Sen. Bill Roth came in—unlike Jack K. he’s all for us and wants to help.

  Met with Chryslers Lee Iacocca. He’s all for our program and wants to help. He has reduced Chryslers cost of production 50%. No wonder they show a profit.

  Rcv’d. letter from Richard Viguerie with copy of Conservative Digest. He tried to write in sorrow, not anger about my betrayal of the conservative cause. He used crocodile tears for ink.

  [Wednesday, August 11: flew to Billings, Montana, for civic celebration and fundraiser; returned to Washington for rally; Mrs. Reagan traveling to Phoenix to see her ailing father.]

  Thursday, August 12

  Met with the news the Israelis delivered the most devastating bomb & artillery attack on W. Beirut lasting 14 hours. Habib cabled—desperate—has basic agreement from all parties but can’t arrange details of P.L.O. withdrawal because of the barrage.

  King Fahd called begging me to do something. I told him I was calling P.M. Begin immediately. And I did—I was angry—I told him it had to stop or our entire future relationship was endangered. I used the word holocaust deliberately & said the symbol of his war was becoming a picture of a 7 month old baby with its arms blown off. He told me he had ordered the bombing stopped—I asked about the artillery fire. He claimed the P.L.O. had started that & Israeli forces had taken casualties. End of call. Twenty mins. later he called to tell me he’d ordered an end to the barrage and pled for our continued friendship.

  Spent rest of day meeting with Congressmen on Tax bill.

  Friday, August 13

  George Shultz came for a 1 hr. meeting on entire Middle East situation. Then Congressional meetings and a press availability in press briefing room. Finally off to Camp David. Mike, Lyn & Bonnie came along. We had a movie, “Officer and a Gentleman.” Good story spoiled by nudity, language & sex.

  [Saturday, August 14: horseback riding; meeting on Middle East with members of the NSC. Sunday, August 15: worked on speech; lunch with group of congressmen on tax bill; spoke with Mrs. Reagan, upset over the failing condition of her father; returned to W.H. Monday, August 16: met with Shultz regarding Taiwan; telephoned congressmen on tax bill; nationally televised speech on tax bill.]

  Tuesday, August 17

  P.L.O. out of Beirut looks much closer. Press and TV with a leak from State Dept. has gone crazy declaring our joint communiqué with P.R.C. of China is a betrayal of Taiwan. Truth is we are standing with Taiwan and the P.R.C. made all the concessions.

  Met and lunched with Chairman Moe [Samuel K. Doe]—head of Liberia. Spent rest of day calling & meeting with people (Congress) on tax package.

  [Stock market responded positively to speech; meeting in order to calm concerns of congressmen and senators anxious over relations with Taiwan.]

  Wednesday, August 18

  Tomorrow is D-Day in the House. Most of the day with Congressmen—in groups & singly. Met with the hard nose conservatives in the State Dining Room. Met with about 20 “Boll Weevils.” They are pretty much with us. Then a series of one on one’s. Interesting photo opportunity in Rose Garden with Tip O’Neil, Bolling and our leaders as a bipartisan for the tax bill.

  Tonite a dinner in the W.H. for a group of undecideds.

  Last night or the night before Nancy says Loyal asked for the chaplain at the hospital in the middle of the night.

  Thursday, August 19

  Dr. Loyal died this morning. Nancy wasn’t alone—thank Heaven Ron & Doria were there. But it seemed awful to be here and not be with her. All day I sat at my desk phoning Congressmen on the tax bill and tonite it passed with 103 Repub. votes and more than half the Dems. 226 to 207. Tip O’Neill made a speech to Repubs. telling them why they should support me. It seemed strange—both of us on the same side. The Sen. took it up tonite and it won 53 to 47. Again some of our ultra pure conservatives deserted.

  Now I’m packing to leave for Phoenix and my Sweetheart.

  Friday, August 20–Tuesday, September 7

  Phoenix for the sad occasion—a short but moving service then back to Deedee at the house. Many friends were there. I overnighted and then left for Calif. & straight to the ranch. Nancy followed & arrived about 6 P.M.

  [Fund-raisers in L.A.; televised speech on the Middle East; two weeks of riding and ranch work; awarded Medal of Freedom to Phil Habib.]

  Wednesday, September 8

  What a 1st day back! Correspondence, bills, memos, reports, backgrounders—and all of it stayed on my desk all day because meetings were scheduled all day. One meeting an
d a state luncheon was with a group of charming people—Princes and Princesses from 3 Royal Scandanavian families and the Pres. (woman) of Iceland. All were here for a cultural tour called “Scandinavia Today.”

  Had ec. meetings re the bank situation and possible disaster if a half dozen or more countries including Mexico should default on the bils. of $ they’ve borrowed from Am. banks.

  [Met with congressmen regarding the balanced budget amendment, and with businessmen financing the campaign to pass it.]

  Thursday, September 9–Friday, September 10

  Off to Kansas and Utah. Spoke at Alf Landon lecture series K.S.U. About 16,000 present—students and towns people. Alf is 95—We all sang “Happy Birthday.” Sens. Nancy Kassebaum & Bob Dole were there. Speech well received. Then went to a fund raiser for Repubs. I think maybe I rambled on too long. Boarded A.F.1 for Utah—Orrin Hatch aboard. Had a round table meeting with western St. Repub. Chmn.

  Spent the evening on the phone to Senators re the override of my veto of an appropriations bill. Then until midnight did some cards for speech on Fri. to Repub. fundraiser. We put Orrin on a plane back to Wash. that evening so he could vote.

  [Visited Mormon cannery; spoke at rally; returned to Camp David. Saturday, September 11–Sunday, September 12: relaxed by pool at Camp David; returned to W.H.]

  Monday, September 13

  Another typical Mon. Only 1 hr. in the whole day scheduled for time to read, write, etc. & that got eliminated by phone calls, a stack of things to sign and an extra meeting.

  There was a meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was inspiring. We’ve really turned the mil. around morale wise & every other way. Use of Pot is down from 50% to 16%.

  [Cabinet meeting on gloomy situation in international finance; National Security planning group meeting on INF; met Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia; appeared on show hosted by Jack Anderson; taped greetings for conventions; worked out in gym.]

  Tuesday, September 14

  Met briefly with a group of anti-abortion leaders. They recognize the effort I’ve made to end the Weicher-Packwood filibuster of the Helms amendment.

  Word came that a bldg. had been bombed in Beirut where Pres. elect Bashir Gemayel was speaking. Later word came he was alright. Much later word came he’d been killed. We’re not sure at this point what we should believe, but fear the worst.

  [Met with senators on tuition tax credit bill.]

  Dr. Teller came in. He’s pushing an exciting idea that nuclear weapons can be used in connection with Lasers to be non destructive except as used to intercept and destroy enemy missiles far above the earth.

  [Met with businessmen to encourage interest in the private initiative program; launched the Combined Federal Campaign charity; met with legislators and businessmen on textile imports from Chinese; charity dinner with Pat Boone, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., “and several other old friends”; report of the death of Princess Grace of Monaco.]

  Wednesday, September 15

  [Met with Republican congressional leadership, then with seven mayors.]

  Bill Verity gave a sum up of achievements & future plans for the Pvt. Initiatives program. He’s performed miracles. Lunch with George S. and Bill C. Think we clarified things for George on what his turf was and what I wanted.

  [Reception for Hispanic Heritage Week and one for launch of USA Today; dinner for a conference of Black Republicans; anticipated visit by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos of the Philippines; trip by Mrs. Reagan to funeral for Princess Grace.]

  Thursday, September 16

  The Israelis moved into W. Beirut following assassination of Bashir and fight between leftist Muslims & Lebanese Arm.

  Pres. Marcos & Imelda arrived—the usual mil. ceremony which he said was more impressive than anything he’d seen here before. We had a good meeting & then a beautiful state dinner in the Rose Garden & entertainment “the 5th Dinner on the So. Lawn.” I think they will go home reassured and confident of our friendship.

  [Friday, September 17: Mrs. Reagan headed for funeral in Monaco; flew to New Jersey for two fund-raisers for Millicent Fenwick; met with Eastern Republican State Chairman; returned to W.H.]

  Saturday, September 18

  With Nancy gone the only event of the day should have been my noon radio broadcast. Unfortunately, things changed. In Beirut, Haddads Christian Phalangist Militia entered a Palestine refugee camp and massacred men, women and children. The Israelis did nothing to prevent or halt it. George S. and I met and agreed upon a blunt statement which he delivered to the Israeli Ambassador. It is a sad day and one which may very well set our peace efforts back.

  Nancy came home about 6 P.M.—thank Heaven. We watched tapes of Princess Grace’s funeral.

  Sunday, September 19

  A busy day for N.S.C.—State and Defense & Staff. I attended meeting in the morning re the Beirut massacre. The Israelis did finally attempt to oust the killers. They have proclaimed their outrage. I finally told our group we should go for broke. Let’s tell the people we are in at the request of the Lebanese—sending the multi-national force back in. Italy has agreed and we believe the French will, too. We are asking the Israelis to leave Beirut. We are asking Arabs to intervene and persuade Syrians to leave Lebanon at which time we’ll ask Israelis to do likewise. In the meantime, Lebanon will establish a govt. & the capability of defending itself. No more half way gestures, clear the whole situation while the M.N.F. is on hand to assure order.

  George S. and Jeanne K. were enthusiastic about the idea and apparently there was no disagreement. The wheels are now in motion.

  [Monday, September 20: met with NSC planning group to frame speech on Lebanon; cabinet meeting on Native American issues, railroad strike, and need for emergency powers to force workers to return; met Sickle Cell Anemia poster girl. Tuesday, September 21: meetings with beauty pageant winners, aerospace business leaders, Jaycees leaders, Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) regarding pro-China influence of State Department; sent disarmament negotiators on trip to Geneva; Elizabeth Dole reported on her role in the administration fighting discriminatory laws and regulations against women; fund-raiser for Senate candidate from Maine. Wednesday, September 22: addressed black college presidents in East Room and pledged support; NSC meeting on continuing sanctions on Russian gas pipeline; visit from Boys Club members; tapings.]

  Thursday, September 23

  Another crowded day. Met with Sec. Shultz re his upcoming meeting with Gromyko. Decided he should low key and with regard to a summit agree in principle but say we’d have to see some action 1st—permission for Jews to emigrate, let the Pentecostals out of our embassy in Moscow. Seven of them have been trapped there for 4 years. Then there is always Afghanistan & Poland.

  Had an ec. rundown in Cabinet—not bad, not good. One thing sure the recession has bottomed. Price index for Aug. of 1% that would be an annual rate of less than 3.3.

  Lunch for Jim Brady Foundation. A success—people from all over the country—including Lew Wasserman.

  [Met with business leaders on summer jobs for teenagers, and with an African American minister on proposal to grant tax incentives to businesses for hiring disadvantaged youths; interview with Trudy Feldman; reception for Hispanic young people; attended farewell for Walter Stoessel Jr., Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs; report of torpedo incident involving Soviet and U.S. subs.]

  Friday, September 24

  Finally an easy day. An N.S.C. Planning Group meeting. Subject—Latin America. It’s possible the Soviets will ship “Mig” fighter planes into Nicaragua. George S. Monday will let Gromyko know we’ll take very seriously any overt moves by them or their stooge Cuba toward any part of Latin Am. We have contingency plans leading all the way up to troop involvement if Cuba should send troops to stir the pot in Central Am.

  [Lunch with trade magazine journalists; ambassadorial formalities.]

  Then photos with some of our Sen. candidates & John Palmer and his wife, Nancy (she’s with child). He’s leaving the W.H. to anchor the To
day Show. Chris Wallace comes here.

  [Saturday, September 25: radio broadcast; attended rally for prayer in school; reception for Ford Theatre Foundation, with performances by Liza Minnelli, Ben Vereen, and others.]

  Sunday, September 26

  A day at home. Camp David is better on a weekend. Our Marines were to have landed in Lebanon but now it will be Tues. It is Yom Kippur so the Israelis won’t be out til Tues. but they have agreed to withdraw.

  Yesterday we lost 2 officers in Lebanon. They were assigned to the U.N. observers. They and an Irish and Finnish officer were in a vehicle on the road to Damascus—hit a land mine—all dead.

  Monday, September 27

  Nancy up early and off to Miss. Ala. and Ark.—part of drug program.

  Most of my day spent on homework for press conference tomorrow night. It should be free wheeling what with Lebanon and all. Yom Kippur will be over tomorrow. Our troops will probably go ashore Wed.

  It’s lonesome here.

  Tuesday, September 28

  Cap signed order for Marines to go ashore Wed. A.M. Israelis will withdraw to So. of the airport—Marines will be stationed at the airport.

  [Spoke to business leaders.]

  Spent afternoon getting ready for press conf. Have just had it and made it through O.K. Everyone says “best yet.” My favorite ans. was to Sam D. who asked if I didn’t think I had something to do with our ec. problems which I’d been laying on the Dems. over the past years. I said: “Oh my yes. I share the responsibility—I was a Dem. for years.”

  Wednesday, September 29

  Left 11:40 A.M. for Richmond Va. with Cong. Paul Trible, cand. for US. Sen. Before leaving met Miss America, a Calif. girl by way of “Cut and Shoot” Texas. She flattered me by presenting a card from “Man Watchers, Inc.,” making me an awardee of “Well Worth Watching.”

  Rally at Richmond was heartwarming—over 5000 many of them young people—(not the most traditional thing at Repub. Rallys).

  [Fund-raiser and grant presentation to Hampton Institution; returned to W.H.; photo session; dinner with friends.]

  Thursday, September 30

  Cabinet council meeting on crime. We’re really launching an attack on organized crime and the drug epidemic. It’s astounding to learn that 243 drug addicts over an 11 yr. period committed 500,000 crimes.