The Reagan Diaries

by Ronald Reagan

  Big thing of the day was 2 hour meeting in the Situation Room on the Iran affair. George S. is still stubborn that we shouldn’t have sold the arms to Iran—I gave him an argument. All in all we got everything out on the table. After meeting Ed M. & Don R. told me of a smoking gun. On one of the arms shipments the Iranians paid Israel a higher purchase price than we were getting. The Israelis put the difference in a secret bank account. Then our Col. North (NSC) gave the money to the “Contras.” This was a violation of the law against giving the Contras money without an authorization by Congress. North didn’t tell me about this. Worst of all John Poindexter found out about it & didn’t tell me. This may call for resignations.

  [Ambassadorial formalities.]

  Tuesday, November 25

  John P. came in this morning & announced he was leaving the NSC & returning to the Navy. I told him I wouldn’t refuse his resignation but regretted it. I explained that I know the press would crucify him if he stayed & he didn’t deserve that. What it was all about was that Ed Meese learned that several months ago the Israelis delivered some of our arms to Iran but exacted a higher price then we had asked. They sent us our price then past the balance in a Swiss bank account belonging to the Contras—their way of helping the Contras at a time when Congress was refusing aid to the Contras. John resigned because he had gotten wind of this game but didn’t look into it or tell me. In the old Navy tradition he accepted the responsibility as Captain of the ship. We broke the story—I told the press what we’d learned. This headed them off from finding out about it & accusing us of a cover up. I’ve asked Ed Meese to continue digging in case there is anything we missed & I’m appointing a commission to review the whole matter of how NSC Staff works. Ed Meese stayed with the press & took their Q’s. They were like a circle of sharks.

  Lunch was at the W.H. with returning Justices of the Supreme Court. It was a fun time. Then an NSC meeting to see how we’d handle the roll out of the 131st B2 bomber equipped for nuclear cruise missiles. It puts us 1 plane above the restraints of SALT II which the Soviets & us had agreed to observe even though the treaty had never been ratified. The Soviets have regularly violated the agreement. My decision is to h--l with them we roll out the plane. Upstairs to the lonely W.H. Mommie left for the West today. I join her tomorrow.

  Wednesday, November 26

  Off to Calif. 11:30—1st a further report on the Iran case—nothing new to add. Then into Rose Garden for annual receipt of the Thanksgiving Turkey. We don’t kill this one—he’s a 58 lbs. Tom who has been here before. A meeting with George S., I think he’s feeling some guilt—he’s sworn fealty until I leave the job.

  [Flew to California; met Mrs. Reagan at Point Mugu; greeted schoolchildren who won awards for fitness; went to ranch, noted, “I got into jeans & joined Barney & Dennis in cleaning up a lot of brush around the entrance gate.” ]

  Thursday, November 27

  Had a good horseback ride—then back to the House to wait for our Turkey Day guests. Ron & Doria arrived early, then later Moon & Bess, Maureen & Dennis. A pleasant evening & we all stuffed ourselves. During day had a nice call from Margaret Thatcher.

  [Friday, November 28: rode; worked on beautifying entrance by pruning, noted, “Press is still shooting at us. Now they claim some one shredded documents.” Saturday, November 29: rode; received call from Ambassador Charles Price, noted, “with some suggestions re the Iran mess”; completed pruning of entrance.]

  Sunday, November 30

  Departed for Wash. 8:35 A.M.—Don R. and some staff meeting on the plane re the mess. We’ll be meeting with Ed Meese tomorrow morning. This evening at the W.H. Mike Deaver brought his attorney over to talk about the situation. They feel I should get an attorney (criminal practice) and have him get affidavits from any who were involved in the Iran gambit that I was not informed of what was going on. Their idea is that someone might try to involve me to protect his own hide.

  Monday, December 1

  Ed Meese on hand for 9 A.M. meeting. We’ve decided to name Frank Carlucci as Nat. Security Advisor. Then I’ve told Ed Meese to ask for an Independent Council to do an investigation & to see if we can get a Joint Committee of Congress to also do one & I’ll announce all these steps hopefully on Wed. My truthfulness seems to have become the issue.

  At 11 A.M. I introduced to the press our review board I’ve appointed to look at NSC procedures & recommend any changes needed. They are John Tower, Ed Muskie, & Brent Scowcroft.

  An issue briefing lunch—then Dick Wirthlin—his polls weren’t happy making. A sample—71% of the people like & think I’m a nice fellow. But 60% don’t think I’m telling the truth.

  A Budget review meeting—we’re going to have to sweat $50 Billion out of the ’87 budget.

  Met with Carlucci—he’s on board & will take the job.

  Dinner with Mommie, Maureen & Ted Graber who’s back here to do the Xmas decorations.

  Tuesday, December 2

  Things moved fast today because announcement day instead of tomorrow. GOP House & Sen. Leadership came down. We met in the Cabinet Room. Again I told them the whole story about Iran and answered their Q’s & we agreed to meet again tomorrow. Then I went on TV and announced Carlucci’s appointment. Also that Ed Meese at my urging was going to ask the Court to appoint an Independent Counsel—we used to call them a Prosecutor. I assured our TV viewers we would cooperate with the Congress etc. I think we cooled some of the savage beasts.

  Later in the day Dick Wirthlin called to say my nose dives in the polls had turned around & I was up from 3 to 5 points since Sun.

  We had a Domestic Policy meeting on the report on “The Family.” We’re trying to fix so well indented welfare programs don’t become an incentive to break up family’s or induce teenage girls to become pregnant.

  Later we had a budget meeting—there will be some unhappy Cabinet officers because we are cutting back their budget requests. We must reduce the deficit. Wound up the day with a taping session. Stock Mrkt went up 40 points.

  Wednesday, December 3

  Met with same group of GOP Sen’s & Rep’s met with yesterday plus Jack Kemp. They are still undecided as to what they can do with a Cong. Committee to investigate the Iran fuss. Bob Dole thinks Bob Byrd want to wait until Cong. meets in January. & then a dozen committees will hammer away well into summer with the 88 campaign in mind. They are satisfied with what I’ve done & feel my TV speech yesterday has checked the assault by the press.

  [Cabinet meeting on budget reductions; spoke to female entrepreneurs.]

  Long meeting with Geo. S. He’ll soon be off on some foreign trips & he’s totally behind me now on my actions in the Iran flap.

  Went home early—met Xmas tree donors on way. A lot of homework to do. George B. making a speech today—a good one totally on the Iran affair.

  Thursday, December 4

  Usual meetings—mostly on latest stories—the Iran mess. Then a briefing for meeting with Pres. Arias of Costa Rica. And then a meeting—usual format—15 minutes in Oval O. with his Foreign Minister & Geo. S. There is a great bond between our 2 countries. Costa Rica was the 1st true democracy in the Latin American country’s & to this day has no army. It was 4 yrs ago today that I visited Costa Rica.

  After Oval O. we moved to the Cabinet room for plenary meeting with our staffs. They are have some ec. problems & we’re trying to be of help. Pres. Arias has been most outspoken leader in Latin America against the Communist govt. of Nicaragua. He’ll be meeting with different departments tomorrow.

  Met with Frank Carlucci for a photo & welcome aboard. He’s already chosen his Deputy—a Black General in our army who is believed to be on his way to being Army Chief of Staff.

  Bob Dole came in. He has worked it out with Byrd to not have a Special Session called. Sen. will create 1 special committee to hold hearings on Iran.

  Time with Bob Tuttle to OK some appointees. Press Sec. Larry Speakes came in to submit his resignation. He has a great job—public relations on Wall St.
with the big Wall St. finance co. He was followed by Carlton Turner head of our anti-drug program. He’s resigning to have more time with his family—2 young children—feels he has the program (drugs) well started.

  [Met with congresswoman who failed in try at Senate.]

  Upstairs for a meeting Mike Deaver, Bob Strauss & Bill Rogers. They stayed ’til dinner time while I picked their brains on the Iran mess.

  Friday, December 5

  Met with GOP Cong. Leadership. Quite a feisty meeting. Big disagreement between them on whether I should call for a Special Session of the Congress. Hasn’t been done since Truman in 1948. Then it became known as the Do-nothing Cong. All kinds of advice as to who should be fired etc. Also that I should bring in an outsider as my personal council. I finally brought peace by reading a tribute to Strom Thurmond who was there. It was his 84th Birthday. We sang Happy Birthday to him & presented him with a cake. Lunch with Geo. B. I think he would like to see Don R. go. I’m not of that mind.

  The Soviet Trade Minister who is in town trying to build up trade with the Soviet Union. I told him how much easier that would be to do if the Soviet Union would change its emigration policies & its approach to human rights.

  A brief meeting with Sec. Shultz. He has agreed to change Ambas’s in the Soviet U.

  Then a meeting with top 4 in Cong. Bob Michel & Jim Wright from House and Bob Dole & Bob Byrd from the Senate. They have agreed to 1 committee from each house to look into Iran matter & I believe they are united against me calling a Special Session of the Congress. I’ve already decided not to do that.

  Then it was off to Camp D. where temp. was 30 degrees.

  Saturday, December 6–Sunday, December 7

  Radio script was on Iran. I admitted there were mistakes in the implementing of policy but not in the policy itself.

  [Looked over exercise building constructed on site for use by Seabees.]

  Sun. we got an early start for home because of reception at 5:20 in W.H. for Arts Honorees at the Kennedy Center. They were Lucille Ball, Ray Charles, Hume Cronyn & Jessica Tandy, Yehudi Menuhin, & Antony Tudor. The usual receiving line (350) then presentation of honorees in East Room. Ted & our people have finished the Xmas decorations and the W.H. is a fairy land—indeed the theme is “Mother Goose.”

  Almost forgot had a call late Sat. nite—conf. call with Geo. S., Admiral Crowe, & Al Keel. I OK’ed providing U.S. helicopter transport to 400 Honduran troops to point near Nicaraguan border. The Sandinistas has crossed the border & attacked a Honduran base—some casualties. I gave an immediate go ahead & slept like a baby.

  Sun. nite- The annual Kennedy Awards. A reception in the East Room, as always. This time the guests were Lucille Ball, Ray Charles, Hume Cronyn & Jessica Tandy, Yehudi Menuhin, & Antony Tudor. Upstairs for a hasty dinner then over to the Kennedy Center for a very fine entertainment.

  Monday, December 8

  Staff meetings taken up with Iran & the Honduran matter which has been carried out. At noon the usual issues briefing lunch. Our Cabinet has asked for restoration of virtually every cut in the proposed budget—not in their entirety but enough to drastically raise the deficit. I think I’ll hold out for “no give in.”

  [Gave Distinguished Executive Awards; desk work; went to dentist for cleaning; Maureen and Dennis staying for the whole week; anticipated visit by President Joseph Mobutu of Zaire the following day. Tuesday, December 9: met with Mobutu regarding Zaire’s economic problems; dialogue with Republican governors; attended Republican Eagles dinner; then congressional ball, commented, “I was surprised how many of the Repub went out of their way to express support for me in the Iran mess.”]

  Wednesday, December 10

  Short meeting with newly elected Congressmen 27 Dem—24 Repub. Took a few Q’s. One young Democrat asked a “have stopped beating your wife” Q. What would I do for the poor & hungry etc. the inference being that we were not doing anything for them. His name—Joseph Kennedy.

  [Spoke to gathering on human rights; signed proclamation declaring Human Rights Day; met with Natan Sharansky and assured him of administration attention to cause of Soviet Jews; met with U.S. Savings Bond Committee; signed proclamation for United Way Centennial; desk work; attended Christmas party for press.]

  Thursday, December 11

  At 9:30 this AM down to Situation Rm for a meeting re the request of the Dutch for mil. transport of about 700 of there Marines to Suriname to take over the govt. of the Brutal Dictator who is endangering & taking the lives of the people there including about 6,000 Dutch citizens. Cap W. & Admiral Crowe were hesitant about giving an OK to Geo. S. who is in Europe meeting with the Dutch NATO rep’s. I felt there was no way we could just say no. We agreed there are very real problems in simply saying yes without knowing the tactical problem of a mil. operation. Do we just fly them in & land on the airstrip in Suriname which might be surrounded by hostile military? Well result is a military team of ours is on it’s way to Holland to meet with their top brass.

  [Had lunch with Vice President Bush; photo session for staff members, also with National Republican Bulletin, leaders of Future Farmers of America; budget review meeting; lit Christmas tree on Ellipse; second press Christmas party. Friday, December 12: noted military team in Holland cooperating on Suriname situation; photo session with Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde; Domestic Policy Council meeting with reports on reforming welfare program; addressed conservative group, American Legislative Exchange Council; noted new poll results indicate rise, commented, “Maybe the people are getting bored with the Lynch mob.” Saturday, December 13: radiocast; stopped in on party for security personnel.]

  Sunday, December 14

  A call to Margaret Thatcher to respond to her warm handwritten letter re our “Irangate.” George Shultz called about a short talk. So he & Al Keel arrived at 11 A.M. Geo. had several things on his mind—most important was our arms proposal re the Reykjavik talks. We’ll meet on that this week to discuss possible changes to get the Soviets on board. One idea is to go for the 5 yr. 50% cut on ICBM’s & then negotiate out further action beyond 1991.

  A little before noon met with Mike Deaver’s attorney Jack Miller. He is going to find out from Poindexter’s lawyer (if he can) if John & Ollie North are taking the 5th thinking they are protecting me. If the answers are right it’s possible I might ask the Cong. committees to offer them immunity so they can tell the whole story.

  Did my (or our) appearances before exec. branch staff & families downstairs. Then back up to a phone call from Barbara Walters. She is sending a lot of material obtained from a top Iranian figure re the money exchange. It sounds fantastic.

  [Attended performance of Christmas in Washington; dinner at home.]

  Monday, December 15

  I don’t like Mondays. George S. came in at 9:30 A.M. I’ve talked him out of firing Ambas Kelly in Lebanon. At 9:45 our Quad Commission came in with the report on top echelon salaries. The recommended big raises for the top level appointees, the Cong. & judges. The Commission was appointed by the Cong., the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court & me. I know there will be the usual screams but we are losing judges by the dozen who can not afford to stay on the bench & and are returning to pvt law practice. The same is true of Cab. members & others who have sacrificed 6 fig. incomes in pvt. life to lend a hand in govt.

  Our Domestic Policy council met on the subject of catastrophic illness insurance. Dr. Bowen (HHS) had brought forth a plan aimed at protecting the elderly which I think has promise. I’m concerned though as to whether we can find something for those working stiffs.

  Issues briefing lunch—looks like I’m going to be busy as h--l in January.

  [Signed proclamation for Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week.]

  Met with Cap W. on plan for having 50 MX missiles on railroad cars. He & I agree we’d like to cancel the “Midget” missile Cong. forced on us a requirement for getting the MX.

  Ed Meese came by for a few minutes. I’m releasing a statement tomor
row that I want Cong. to grant Poindexter & North immunity if they’ll come forward & testify. Finally a haircut & upstairs.

  Tuesday, December 16

  An NSC meeting on the Midget Missile. I’m afraid we’re stuck with a $40 billion program the military doesn’t want & I don’t want. Congress tied the small missile (mobile) to the 2nd 50 MX missiles. We couldn’t have the MX’s unless we agreed to go forward with the Midget.

  Right after lunch a GOP Leadership meeting—House & Senate. It was a good discussion of how we all saw the State of the Union Address & the agenda for the coming year. Don Regan not present he was testifying before the Durenberger Sen. Committee. It turned out he took their Q’s for 5 hours. This meeting was followed by a full Cabinet meeting to discuss the budget & the State of the Union Address & of course some talk of Iran. They all felt I should not—volunteer to appear before any of the committees.

  [Made appearance at meeting chaired by T. Boone Pickens, of large donors for 1988 congressional campaigns; videotapings; reception for Secret Service.]

  Early in the day I had Larry Speakes read a statement to the press asking Cong. to grant immunity to John P. & Ollie North so they can testify & get this d—m thing over with. By late afternoon I learned the Dem’s say no. They want to keep this going for a year if they can.

  Wednesday, December 17

  Cap W. came by for a meeting in the Situation Room. It was an update on SDI and a proposal that we deploy partially about 1993—not the finished system but 2 stages that will give us a partial defense but more important valuable information for completing the system. There are some problems but I’m inclined to go forward with it.

  After lunch an Ec. Council meeting on the farm problem & on a job training plan for jobless who are that way because imports or industrial changes had eliminated their jobs. We’re talking about some $400,000,000. One suggestion was a .2% import fee to pay for it. I’m opposed. This would begin a breakdown of our ban on a tax increase.