The Reagan Diaries

by Ronald Reagan

  Friday, December 7

  Bishop Tutu of S. Africa came in. I’m sure he is sincere in his belief that we should turn our back on S.A. & take actions such as sanctions to bring about a change in race relations. He is naïve. We’ve made considerable progress with quiet diplomacy. There are S. Africans who want an end to Apartheid & I think they understand what we are doing. American owned firms in S.A. treat their employees as they would in Am. This has meant a tremendous improvement for thousands & thousands of S.A. Blacks. There have been other improvements but there is still a long way to go. The Bishop seems unaware, even though he himself is Black, that part of the problem is tribal not racial. If apartheid ended now there still would be civil strife between the Black tribes.

  We’re facing a closer to home problem which has to do with the upcoming talks with the Soviets re arms reductions. We’re convinced they want above all to negotiate away our right to seek defensive weapon against ballistic missiles. They fear our technology. I believe such a defense could render nuclear weapons obsolete & thus we could rid the world of that threat. Question is will they use that to break off the talks & blame us?

  [Ceremony for Columbia astronauts; regular meeting with Shultz; left for Camp David with new puppy in hand.]

  Saturday, December 8–Sunday, December 9

  The usual restful weekend—except for watching over an un-housebroken puppy. Now we’re back to the Christmas decorated W.H. & it is magnificent. Bless Ted Graber—the decorations & the tree are unbelievable.

  Tonight the Christmas entertainment at Const. Hall.

  Monday, December 10

  Over to the E.O.B., Room 450 twice today. Once for the Pvt. Sector Initiative group. We’re starting a new program to honor businesses that do outstanding charity & public service work. Each yr. a number of them will receive “C” flags—akin to the wartime “E” flags. C is for commitment. The 2nd time was a talk & signing ceremony proclaiming this “Human Rights Week.” It will be interesting to see if the press (they covered the event) will carry my strong words against S. African Apartheid. They’ve covered every charge that I haven’t criticized S. Africa.

  A Red Cross delegation including Chuck Heston reported in on their trip to Ethiopia. Chuck who is a very fine sketch artist had sketched an 11 yr. old boy—a famine victim who only weighed 16 pounds. I need to remind our people the Red Cross can use donations directed to the famine in Africa.

  [Devoted hours to budget meeting focusing in Defense Department; National Security Planning Group (NSPG) meeting, defining strategy for talks with Soviets.]

  Tuesday, December 11

  [Visits by Charles Douglas–Home, editor of the London Times, and by President Seyni Kountche of Niger.]

  We have confirmed the Iranian storming of the hi-jacked plane & the rescue of the hostages. Our 2 citizens are on their way home so I can say I’m suspicious of Iran & I suspect the rescue was staged in complicity with the terrorists.

  Jeanne Kirkpatrick came by to give me her letter of resignation. We’ll keep it quiet until after the inaugural & she’ll leave no earlier than March 1st. Four years of the U.N. is longer than any of her predecessors have taken. We want to keep her in the admin.—she’s done a brilliant job at the U.N. We talked about her successor & found her ideas & mine were in tune. I’m looking at several things for her but didn’t mention what they were until I’ve sorted them out.

  Tonite the Congress Ball here at the residence. We drop in—start the dancing—then mingle—always edging toward the elevator. It was a great party—about 500 present. This had always been a tradition but Muffy Brandon—when she was here—shut it off in our 1st yr. Rex S. brought it to our attention & properly so.

  Wednesday, December 12

  George Bush took the watch early this morning & went to Andrews for the arrival of the bodies of our 2 men murdered in Iran—the hijacking.

  [Addressed gathering of publishers of Gannett news organization; meeting with the International Private Enterprise Task Force; planted a sugar maple tree on the W.H. lawn; lunch discussion on defense budget.]

  Met with Barry Goldwater—he is stubbornly holding out against the MX. He could well be the kiss of death.

  Bill Dickinson, R. (Ala.) also came by. We need to meet with him more often on defense matters.

  [Met with CEO’s on volunteer committee for savings bond drive; press party. Thursday, December 13: cleaned out desk, noted, “I didn’t throw away half of what I should”; annual economic briefing by Don Regan, some positive news; called William J. Schroeder, recipient of artificial heart; photo session.]

  Then it was time to light the Xmas tree. I had Nancy throw the switch & the tree way down on the Elipse came to life. We were surrounded by small children up here in front of the W.H.

  [Reception for press corps.]

  Friday, December 14

  Dropped in on Inaugural Directors meeting. Their job is unbelievably complex & tedious but they volunteer & do it in great style. Then out to the driveway to be presented our Inaugural License plate—No. 1.

  We had a most unsatisfactory N.S.P.G. meeting with Charley Wick present. He is not the reason it’s unsatisfactory. We’re ready to go with “Radio Marti” our station broadcasting truth to Cuba—part of our Information Program. Cuba, however, threatens retaliation; not just jamming our program but jamming Am. radio stations all the way to the Mid-west. They are actually completing the transmitters to do this. We can join all of theirs but at great cost & only after several months. It will take time to set up a system. If we retreat we lose face which can hurt us in all of Latin Am. If we go forward we could knock many of our commercial stations off the air. What to do? Right now I don’t know.

  Billy Graham for dinner tonight. Very interesting—his experiences in the Soviet U. & S. Africa. He questions the stature of Bishop Tutu. He feels the Soviets are experiencing a wave of religious revival, particularly on the part of young Russians.

  [Saturday, December 15: desk work, answered letters from constituents; reception for military families. Sunday, December 16: answered more letters; attended reception for staffers, added, “We also sneaked down to the ground floor to visit ‘Lucky’ [new puppy]. We’ll take her to Camp D. Friday.”]

  Monday, December 17

  [Further discussion on defense budget; presented awards to civil servants for efficiency.]

  We had an N.S.P.G. meeting again on our negotiating posture in the upcoming meeting with Gromyko & the arms talks. I believe the Soviets have agreed to the talks only to head off our research on a strategic defense against nuc. wpns. I stand firm we cannot retreat on that no matter what they offer.

  The international champion Barbershop Quartet came by for a photo & sang a song (my kind of music).

  Greeted incoming White House Fellows then dropped by 3 Xmas parties at E.O.B.—N.S.C., Speechwriters & Personnel. Last go around at 6:15, the W.H. reception for the S.S. Had a meeting—Arthur Burns—who plugged for retaining the Ec. Advisory Board. Dave Stockman had suggested elimination. I think Arthur’s right. Jack Block came by to tell me his plan to turn Agriculture back to the free market—I buy that.

  [Tuesday, December 18: attended farewell party for Ted Bell, secretary of Education, and Christmas party at the counsel’s office; meeting with the Joint Chiefs regarding U.S. military strength versus that of the Soviets, commented, “More & more I’m thinking the Soviets are preparing to walk out on the talks if we won’t give up research on a strategic defense system. I hope I’m wrong”; private dinner party with the McFarlanes, General Brent Scowcroft, Nancy Reynolds, and the Laxalts.]

  Wednesday, December 19

  A brief meeting with Gen. Ed Rowny re the upcoming Arms Talks (Start) [START]. He’s a good man. We’ve decided he’ll try to take up the talks as a resumption of the talks they broke off a year ago. He’ll do that hoping to head off a “start all over again” tactic by the Soviets.

  A Cab. meeting—Joe Wright reported on where we are in management reforms. The pot
ential for savings is tremendous. To do a number of things we’ll have to get Congress to repeal legislation that literally ties our hands as the executive branch. Dick Whalen came by—he’s really crusading that Geo. S. has been taken over by the St. Dept. soft liners & that he’s planning a purge of all our appointees. I’ve already taken the matter up with George & his account refutes the charges being made.

  Met with Peter Grace. He has a good idea about giving some of his task force some continuing charge so they can help mobilize public opinion in support of our budget cuts. Upstairs early—I’m getting spoiled by these short days while Congress is away.

  Thursday, December 20

  [Budget meetings on HUD, Agriculture, and Small Business Administration.]

  Today I asked John Tower to be Amb. to Germany—Arthur Burns is retiring. I think John is taken with the idea but he hasn’t given an answer.

  I have a real problem to solve. George Shultz’s plan to do some shuffling of Ambassadors & Asst. Secs. at State has raised quite a holler. I trust George but there are indications that the Bureaucracy may be leading him astray. For example, he’s told an Ambas. wants to quit. Now I’m told the Ambas. was told by the bureaucrats that I wanted his resignation etc. George gets his info. secondhand—not directly from the person being dumped. Tomorrow I have to show him my evidence.

  [Photo sessions and Christmas reception for W.H. staffers.]

  Friday, December 21

  Well this was a meeting day with George S. By the time of the meeting I had rcv’d. evidence countering the word that had been given me to a certain extent. Part of the problem was one ambas. who is being removed for cause who has gone all over town spreading false charges. Geo. & I had our meeting & everything is squared away. We had an NSC meeting regarding our trade & defense matters with Japan—all preparing for my Jan. 2 meeting with P.M. Nakasone. We’ve made progress but still have a way to go particularly with regard to our entry into their markets.

  [Received giant Christmas card from Johnstown, Pennsylvania; drove to Camp David.]

  Saturday, December 22–Sunday, December 23

  Sat. dawned clear & bright which was fine because P.M. Margaret Thatcher was coming in for a visit. I met her in a golf cart & took her to Aspen where she & I had a brief visit in which I got a report on her visit with Gorbachev of the Soviet U. In an amazing coincidence I learned she had said virtually the same things to him I had said to Gromyko. In addition, she had made it clear there was no way the Soviet U. could split Eng. away from the U.S.

  Then we joined the others—Ambassadors, Shultz, MacFarlane, Bush, et al at Laurel for a plenary meeting & working lunch. Main topic was our Strategic Defense Research (“Starwars”) I believe was eased some concerns she had. Then she was on her way to Eng.

  Sunday was also a bright, beautiful day—like Spring & we returned to the W.H.

  Monday, December 24

  [Telephoned enlisted personnel in foreign posts; Mrs. Reagan’s brother, Dick, and his family visiting for Christmas.]

  Senator Hatch is after me to grant clemency to the Rev. Moon. I’ve explored this & find I just can’t. I have, however, taken action to see if I can grant him a furlough over New Years. It seems that day is the holiest in that religion.

  Tonite dinner at the Wicks—getting to be an annual event & a happy one. Nancy played Santa—it took about 3 long distance calls from Ron to get her to do it. She was great.

  Tuesday, December 25

  Merry Christmas & it was. Gift opening, a walk on the S. Lawn with Lucky & then cast of last night’s party here at the W.H. for an early evening dinner. A beautiful book on Iran from the Shahbann & a poignant letter. She can only spend about 3 months a year here in the U.S. where her children are going to school because of a law or legis. of some kind. I’m going to try to get her a diplomatic passport. That would, at least up it to 6 months.

  Wednesday, December 26

  Cold weather but bright sun & no snow. A brief meeting with Bud & John—NSC. John became a Vice Admiral & I presented him with his stars. An easy & quiet morning—cleared up a few items. Turned over to Mike D. the matter of a passport for Her Majesty the Shahbann Farah Pahlavi. Taped a Rose Parade greeting & upstairs to pack for trip to Palm Springs.

  Nancy’s Brother & family returned to Phil.

  Thursday, December 27—Wednesday, January 2, 1985

  Depart for Palm Springs—well L.A. for a couple of days first. On Fri. will meet with Mike & Colleen to see our granddaughter for the 1st time. Had time for a trip to Dr. House. My hearing has suffered no loss since last year. The other good news was our family meeting. I think we passed a watershed & the wounds are healed.

  From Dec. 29 (Fri.) to Jan. 2nd the beautiful weather was beyond belief. This New Year party at Lee & Walter Annenberg’s house is a tradition. It’s also become my once a yr. golf game. With all the socializing, had time for meeting with Bud, George S. & Cap pinning down approach George will take with Gromyko in Geneva Jan. 7 & 8. Then Jan., 2nd it was back on A.F.1 & the White House—with happy memories of another 4 day reunion with old friends.

  Almost forgot—on Jan. 2nd met with P.M. Nakasone of Japan. It was a good meeting & I believe further progress was made re our trade deficit with Japan. The P.M. is a true friend.

  CHAPTER 5

  1985

  Thursday, January 3

  Vacation is over—Congress is in session & I’m back in the Oval O. Biggest part of day was spent hearing appeals from Justice & Interior on proposed budget cuts. Managed a compromise between O.M.B. & Justice. The other problem was whether to cancel the civilian dept. having to do with water problems—irrigation, etc. & give it all to the Corps. of Engineers. Teddy R. was the 1st who wanted to end the duplication between these 2. Then Herbert Hoover tried. I’ve told our people to sit down & work out a plan for doing this but not in connection with our budget problem.

  [Ambassadorial formalities; photo sessions; call from King Juan Carlos of Spain to say hello.]

  Friday, January 4–Sunday, January 6

  Started the day off with the first meeting with the leadership of the 99th Congress. We spent our time on arms control. Bud & George S. held forth on the Geneva meeting—they departed this evening. I found support even among Demos. for our Strategic Defense Initiative.

  A budget appeals meeting re transportation. Dave was holding out for canceling Amtrak. The case for getting Govt. out of the RR business has no opponents. Libby Dole however does have a good argument against doing it right now. She has 3 live customers for Conrail & RR labor is helping lobby Cong. to allow the sale. She fears (and so do I) that if we suddenly announced the end of Amtrak, labor might reconsider. I haven’t given an opinion yet but I favor closing the Conrail sale 1st—then getting at the other.

  [Budget meeting with Secretary Margaret Heckler of Health and Human Services (HHS); Shultz said farewell before Geneva trip; went to Camp David. Saturday, January 5: reported weather was clear. Sunday, January 6: returned to W.H.]

  Monday, January 7

  [Scheduled budget meetings with State Department and Veterans Affairs canceled; Shultz and McFarlane have nothing to report yet from Geneva, commented, “I’ll try to remember ‘no news’ may be good news.”]

  Did a couple of tapes—one for the Inaugural & one for a ground breaking in Palm Springs for Bob Hope Cultural Center. Met with 10 rather distinguished men—some former Cabinet members of both Dem. & Repub. admin’s. They represent about 200 citizens who want to start a drive to change the Presidential term to a single one for 6 yrs. I don’t really know whether I approve that. I do agree with another idea—that Congressmen should serve for 4 rather than 2 yrs. Did a B.B.C. radio interview for a program about P.M. Thatcher. I’m a great admirer of hers.

  Biggest event today was a meeting with Don Regan & then with Jim Baker. They want to trade jobs. I’ve agreed. As soon as Jim is confirmed by the Sen. he’ll be Sec. of Treasury & Don will come to the W.H. as Chief of Staff. I think it will resolve a lot of
problems.

  Tuesday, January 8

  Word from Geneva continues to be good. George B. & I were presented with the new Inaugural medals. This morning I went to the Press Room with Don Regan & Jim Baker & announced they were exchanging jobs. The press was really astounded. They thought I was coming in to talk about Geneva or something of the kind. This was one story that didn’t leak.

  I was in the family theatre briefing for tomorrow nite’s press conf. when I was called upstairs to take a call from George S. on the secure phone. The meetings in Geneva are over & the Soviets have agreed to enter negotiations on nuclear weapons, etc. Within the month a time & place will be agreed upon. Did a brief interview with 2 men from the Dallas Morning News—a friendly paper. Then a reception in the East room celebrating “Human Events” 40th anniversary.

  [Mrs. Reagan in NYC; president lonely in W.H.]

  Wednesday, January 9

  George S. is back & things are better than I’d thought & I thought they were pretty good. Lunched with the V.P. & called Les Aspin, new chairman of the House Mil. Affairs Comm. I have a feeling maybe we’re going to get along pretty well.

  [Presided over press conference.]

  Thursday, January 10

  Good returns continue to come in on the press conf. but more on the Baker, Regan job switch—we scored a 10. Today announced Don Hodel would go from Energy Sec. to Sec. of the Interior. John Herrington moves from Personnel to Energy & Dick Darman will be Baker’s deputy Sec. at Treasury.

  Cab. meeting was on reorganizations—mainly to meld Trade Rep. & Dept. of Commerce. The briefing made it evident this is very complicated & right now I don’t know which side I’m coming down on. Did a big session on tapings & dropped in on a farewell party for Bill Ruckleshaus.

  Friday, January 11

  [Report of three U.S. soldiers killed in base accident in Germany.]

  Somehow things here had a staff “snafu.” Faith Whittlesey is returning to Switzerland as Ambas. but no one told me that John Lodge, present Ambas. was more or less summarily fired & I learned of it through a news leak in a Swiss paper. He of course is hurt & upset. I didn’t know, nor did George S. that this action had been taken.