The Reagan Diaries

by Ronald Reagan

  [Sunday, March 22: a quiet day.]

  Monday, March 23

  East Room in the morning to meet with Jim Roosevelt & all the March of Dimes poster children from the beginning until the present—many of course now grown up. This years little charmer drops her crutches in a second to be picked up and then she promptly kissed me & told me I was cute.

  [Presented award to veteran civil servant.]

  Ec. Council meeting and meeting with Al Haig. The grain embargo is coming to a head. We shouldn’t lift it unless the Russians show some signs of being decent—still it’s hurting our farmers I fear worse than it’s hurting the Russians.

  Tuesday, March 24

  [Breakfast with congressional leaders regarding economic package; met with Japanese foreign minister Masayoshi Ito.]

  Nat. Security Council meeting in Situation Room. We adopted a plan to persuade African States of our desire to help settle the Namibian question—an election after a const. is adopted. At the same time we would urge Angola’s govt. to oust the Cubans at the same time we helped Savimbi. Our hope being that with the Cubans out NATO & Savimbi could negotiate a peace.

  Later in day a call from Al Haig, all upset about an announcement that George B. is to be chairman of the Crisis Council. Historically the chairman is Nat. Security Advisor (Dick Allen). Al thinks his turf is being invaded. We chose George because Al is wary of Dick. He talked of resigning. Frankly I think he’s seeing things that aren’t there. He’s Sec. of St. and no one is intruding on his turf—foreign policy is his but he has half the Cabinet teed off.

  Wednesday, March 25

  Awakened at 7:30 by Mike D.—Al Haig again. He called me I told him to meet me in the Oval O. at 8:45. Mike told me Al was talking resignation etc. He arrived and was very calm—never mentioned resigning but had a statement he wanted me to make. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good. After he left I drafted a statement of my own—short, simple & it did the job.

  Met with our volunteer ec. advisors chaired by Geo. Schultz. They are opposed totally to any import limit on Japanese cars.

  Went for my 1st horseback ride at Quantico. It felt great. We should do this often.

  [ Thursday, March 26: reception for Young Republicans; dinner for broadcast correspondents.]

  Friday, March 27

  A Honduran plane hijacked—Americans aboard. It landed in Managua Nicaragua—the usual demand—release of some prisoners in Honduras. Nicaragua’s Sandinista govt. has been trying to convince us they’ll quit trying to help the Cuban sponsored revolution in El Salvador. Well now’s their chance.

  [Hosted luncheon in honor of National Baseball Hall of Fame.]

  Laxalt & Maureen for dinner & a movie—“Tess.”

  Saturday, March 28

  A day at the desk upstairs doing remarks for Sat. night—the “Gridiron” & Mon. afternoon address to the AFL-CIO—Building & Construction Trades. Conf.

  The “Gridiron” was very good and a good time was had by all. I was able to announce the Honduran Hijackers were in custody in Panama & all hostages safe.

  Sunday, March 29

  Church at St. Johns—a beautiful Spring Day and at the service the Navy Choir from Annapolis. They looked & sounded so right you have to feel good about our country.

  [Report on hijacking in Thailand; conferred with decorator regarding Oval Office.]

  Monday, March 30

  My day to address the Bldg. & Const. Trades Nat. Conf. A.F.L.-C.I.O. at the Hilton Ballroom—2 P.M. Was all dressed to go & for some reason at the last min. took off my really good wrist watch & wore an older one.

  Speech not riotously received—still it was successful.

  Left the hotel at the usual side entrance and headed for the car—suddenly there was a burst of gun fire from the left. S.S. Agent pushed me onto the floor of the car & jumped on top. I felt a blow in my upper back that was unbelievably painful. I was sure he’d broken my rib. The car took off. I sat up on the edge of the seat almost paralyzed by pain. Then I began coughing up blood which made both of us think—yes I had a broken rib & it had punctured a lung. He switched orders from W.H. to Geo. Wash. U. Hosp.

  By the time we arrived I was having great trouble getting enough air. We did not know that Tim McCarthy (S.S.) had been shot in the chest, Jim Brady in the head & a policeman Tom Delahanty in the neck.

  I walked into the emergency room and was hoisted onto a cart where I was stripped of my clothes. It was then we learned I’d been shot & had a bullet in my lung.

  Getting shot hurts. Still my fear was growing because no matter how hard I tried to breathe it seemed I was getting less & less air. I focused on that tiled ceiling and prayed. But I realized I couldn’t ask for Gods help while at the same time I felt hatred for the mixed up young man who had shot me. Isn’t that the meaning of the lost sheep? We are all Gods children & therefore equally beloved by him. I began to pray for his soul and that he would find his way back to the fold.

  I opened my eyes once to find Nancy there. I pray I’ll never face a day when she isn’t there. Of all the ways God has blessed me giving her to me is the greatest and beyond anything I can ever hope to deserve.

  All the kids arrived and the hours ran together in a blur during which I was operated on. I know it’s going to be a long recovery but there has been such an outpouring of love from all over.

  The days of therapy, transfusion, intravenous etc. have gone by—now it is Sat. April 11 and this morning I left the hospital and am here at the W.H. with Nancy & Patti. The treatment, the warmth, the skill of those at G.W. has been magnificent but it’s great to be here at home.

  Whatever happens now I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can.

  Sunday, April 12

  The 1st full day at home. I’m not jumping any fences and the routine is still one of blood tests, X rays—bottles dripping into my arms but I’m home. With the let up on antibiotics I’m beginning to have an appetite & food tastes good for the first time.

  Monday, April 13

  I’m beginning to have a work schedule. We meet in the mornings in the treaty room. It feels good to be whittling at the problems. Afternoon is still nap time and bed time follows dinner by about ½ an hour.

  Tuesday, April 14

  Our astronauts landed and what a thrill that was. I’m more & more convinced that Americans are hungering to feel proud & patriotic again.

  The circus came to town and paraded in front of the White House & put on a show. They had a big get well banner. I waved from the biggest window I could find & thank Heaven they saw me.

  [Wednesday, April 15: met with Haig and Weinberger; Mrs. Reagan has call from Queen of Jordan regarding president’s health. Thursday, April 16: met with secretary general of NATO; press flap about pardon of FBI agents involved in Weathermen surveillance.]

  Friday, April 17

  Good Friday and while representatives of the Nat. Co. of Churches paraded (carrying the cross) in front of the W.H. protesting our effort to help El Salvador Cardinal Cooke of N.Y. came to visit us in the W.H. He’s a good man and doing magnificent work in ed. in the inner cities.

  Sometimes I think (forgive me) the Nat. Co. believes God can be reached through Moscow.

  Later in the day talked by phone with Billy Graham. He knows the family of the young man who did the shooting. They are decent, deeply religious people who are completely crushed by the “sickness” of their son.

  Saturday, April 18

  A nice quiet day—no emergencies, slept in late but still managed an afternoon nap. Wrote a draft of a letter to Brezhnev. Don’t know whether I’ll send it but enjoyed putting some thoughts down on paper. 9 P.M. and we’re off to bed.

  Sunday, April 19—Easter

  A beautiful Easter morning. In the afternoon Rev. Louis Evans & his wife called and brought us communion. They made it a most meaningful day.

  Watched some TV in bed and saw Gloria Steinem take me over the coals for being a bigot and against women. Either she is
totally ignorant of my positions which I doubt or she is a deliberate liar.

  [Monday, April 20: described Easter Egg Roll, but refrained from attending for security reasons; Ron, Doria, and C.Z. arrive. Tuesday, April 21: meetings with staff and with Republican governors; comment on penal regulations; note on progress of letter to Brezhnev through State Department channels.]

  Wednesday, April 22

  Won part of the battle with the diplomats. They drafted the letter to Brezhnev along usual lines but included major positions of mine. We sent it back for a re-write including more of mine.

  More phone calls to Congressmen. I’m having more luck with Demos. than Repub’s. Asked Tip O’Neill if I could address a joint session next week. He agreed.

  Did an interview with AP & UPI on the shooting. Just learned they have to re-operate on Jim Brady. No word yet on what this means to the otherwise optimistic prognosis.

  Thursday, April 23

  Met with Sen. Baker re the AWAC’s sale to Saudi Arabia & the fuss being kicked up about it. He made a sound suggestion that we don’t present the proposal to Cong. until after next weeks vote on the ec. prog.

  I’m disturbed by the reaction & the opposition of so many groups in the Jewish community. First of all it must be plain to them, they’ve never had a better friend of Israel in the W.H. than they have now.

  We are striving to bring stability to the Middle East and reduce the threat of a Soviet move in that direction. The basis for such stability must be peace between Israel & the Arab nations. The Saudi’s are a key to this. If they can follow the counsel of Egypt the rest might fall in place. The AWAC’s wont be theirs until 1985. In the meantime much can be accomplished toward furthering the Camp David format.

  We have assured the Israelis we will do whatever is needed to see that any help to the Arab States does not change the balance of power between them & the Arabs.

  Last night watched the NBC special on our first 100 days. If only Bobby Burns had waited for TV he would never have written “If only we had the gift to see ourselves as others see us.”

  Attached is a script of letter I wrote to Brezhnev by hand.

  My Dear Mr. President

  I’m sorry to be so long in answering your letter to me and can only offer as an excuse the problems of settling into a routine after my hospitalization. I ask your pardon.

  I won’t attempt a point by point response to your letter because I agree with your observation that these matters are better discussed in person than in writing. Needless to say we are not in agreement on a number of points raised in both my letter & yours.

  There is one matter however which I feel I must bring to your attention. All information having to do with my govt’s practices & policies past & present is available to me now that I hold this office. I have thoroughly investigated the matter of the man Scharansky an inmate in one of your prisons. I can assure you he was never involved in any way with any agency of the U.S. govt. I have seen news stories in the Soviet press suggesting that he was engaged in espionage for our country. Let me assure you this is absolutely false.

  Recently his wife called upon me. They were married and spent one day together before she emigrated to Israel assuming that he would follow shortly thereafter. I believe true justice would be done if he were released and allowed to join her.

  If you could find it in your heart to do this the matter would be strictly between us which is why I’m writing this letter by hand.

  While on this subject may I also enter a plea on behalf of the two familys who have been living in most uncomfortable circumstances in our embassy in Moscow for three years. The family & the are Pentacostal Christians who feared possible persecution because of their religion. Members of that church in America would, I know, provide for them here if they were allowed to come to the U.S.

  Again as in the case of Scharansky this is between the two of us and I will not reveal that I made any such request. I’m sure however you understand that such actions on your part would lessen my problems in future negotiations between our two countries.

  Sincerely.

  Friday, April 24

  1st day in oval office. Staff meeting at 9:30 then met with Al Haig & Jack Block about lifting grain embargo. I’m reluctant about it but think it will reassure our allies that while we’re hard nosed about the Russians we aren’t refusing to talk. At 11 AM met with Cabinet—1st since shooting. They greeted me with applause and I was very moved. What a team they’ve turned out to be & how proud I am of them. (I told em so) Big issue for discussion was how to fund a strategic oil reserve. No decision yet.

  [Report on poll numbers; visit from father-in-law, Dr. Loyal Davis. Saturday, April 25–Monday, April 27: quiet days at Camp David.]

  Tuesday, April 28

  Spent the morning in the office—1st time. Met with Congressional (Repub.) leadership. All of us agreed we shouldn’t be over confident.

  Rec’vd. a mailgram from the Hinckleys—parents of the boy with the gun.

  Evening was the big part of the day. Addressed a joint session of Cong. re the ec. pckg. I walked into an unbelievable ovation that went on for several minutes. Frank Reynolds says the speech was interrupted 14 times (3 of them standing ovations). In the 3rd of those suddenly about 40 Democrats stood and applauded. Maybe we are going to make it. It took a lot of courage for them to do that and it sent a shiver down my spine. Except for that all the applause came from the Repub. side, the Demos. just sit on their hands—except for the greeting.

  The response from the public has been overwhelming.

  Wednesday, April 29

  Again spent morning in the office—returned to residence for lunch & nap. I must be getting better—my naps are getting shorter.

  We had a Nat. Security Council briefing (meeting tomorrow). Several situations in the world are worsening—particularly Lebanon.

  Donn Moomaw came by & also the Ted Cummings. Recv’d. word that Jules Stein died last night. That is truly the end of an era.

  Thursday, April 30

  [Met with Republican congressmen; ceremony remembering Holocaust.]

  An N.S.C. meeting devoted mainly to charting our course—a double track course of getting NATO agreement on installing Theatre Nuclear weapons and opening arms limitation talks with the Soviets. This latter is most important politically to our allies.

  Spent evening at home watching Patti on the Merv Griffin Show.

  Friday, May 1

  More meetings with Congressmen. Highlight was noon visit by Prince Charles. He’s a most likeable person. The ushers brought him tea—horror of horrors they served it our way with a tea bag in the cup. It finally dawned on me that he was just holding the cup & then finally put it down on a table. I didn’t know what to do. Mike escorted him back to the W.H. and apologized. The Prince, “I didn’t know what to do with it.” Betty Wilson & the Prices came by in the afternoon. Why does that just make me more homesick?

  Saturday, May 2

  This was the big night—our non-state, upstairs dinner for the Prince—32 in all. It was a great success & I feel everyone present had fun. We had 4 tables (of 8) in the family dining room after cocktails in the Oval room. Then back to the Oval room for music by Bobby Short & a special song by Sammy Kahn.

  [Praise for Mrs. Reagan’s redecoration of the W.H. Sunday, May 3: called man who helped subdue John Hinckley during assassination attempt.]

  Monday, May 4

  [Meeting with Democratic congressmen.]

  It was a beautiful spring day. We lunched in the solarium & then I sun bathed for about an hour.

  Heard from Haig & Dick Allen—approved closing the Libyan embassy here. One of their officials linked to a terrorist killing in Chi. Our embassy there was burned down & there has never been compensation or rebuilding.

  Tuesday, May 5

  P.M. Begin sent a letter by way of Israeli Ambass. in answer to my request that Israel hold off on the Syrian Missiles in Lebanon while we tried to bring about a settlement. His
letter gave us the go ahead. Then I met with Habib. We asked him to come out of retirement and undertake a special mission to Syria, Lebanon & Israel. He’s on his way.

  Al Haig back from a most successful NATO meeting in Rome. They have agreed to * accept Theatre Nuclear Weapons on their soil & are convinced we are willing to negotiate with the Russians. Clincher Al said was when he showed them a copy of my handwritten letter to Brezhnev.

  Spent rest of my time meeting with Demo. Congressmen.

  Wednesday, May 6

  More meetings with Cong. These Demos. are with us on the budget and it’s interesting to hear some who’ve been here 10 years or more say it is their 1st time to ever be in the Oval office. We really seem to be putting a coalition together.

  [Working lunch to plan stance for meeting with Japanese prime minister Zenko Suzuki.]

  Thursday, May 7

  P.M. Suzuki & party arrive—full mil. honors on S. Lawn. I’d been told he was nervous about the visit. He’s not the usual political type and is new in the job—that makes 2 of us.

  He and I met in the Oval office for more than half an hour. It was a good meeting. I had the interpreter send a copy of my hand written letter to Brezhnev. In the cabinet room later in the larger meeting he told them I had made him feel that he could pick up the phone and call me personally about any problems that might come up. Tonite the State Dinner.

  But 1st this was the big day. The Budget bill passed 253 to 176. All the Repubs. stayed together & 63 Demos. voted with us. We never anticipated such a landslide. We felt we were going to win due to the conservative block of Demos but expected R. defectors so that we might win by 1 or 2 votes. It’s been a long time since Repubs. have had a victory like this.

  [Considers meeting with Suzuki a success.]

  Friday, May 8

  Spent the morning—or most of it—in a meeting with the P.M. his ministers and my cabinet members. We got down to specifics. He opened the whole subject of defense etc. and then stated our position on the Soviet U. and what we intended to do and that we would consult with Japan as our senior partner. There would be no pressure or arm twisting by us—just frank discussion of how we can help each other.