Monday, May 23
A general discussion of INF—Noriega, the Congress & it’s expensive staff. H. Baker brought me regards from Jimmy Carter. He saw him at a meeting of a commission meeting on which J. C. serves.
Howard has suggested that my appointees to a proposed bipartisan Drug commission might be J. Baker, Ed Meese, Colin P. & himself.
[NSC meeting on Soviet withdrawal in Afghanistan; videotapings; presented awards to businesses; NSC briefing on summit; NSPG on START.]
Bob Tuttle with some appointments to pass on & down to a haircut. Stopped in Dr’s. office to have my Dupreton Contraction on my hand checked. And upstairs.
Tuesday, May 24
A talk about Veto which I’m signing later this morning & did. INF Helms & others still blocking. Howard B. is going to stay here ’til end of week to keep pushing. Discussed & approved some Marine Corps promotions.
NSC—Kozak in Panama is dealing with some intermediaries & has been unable to get a closure on the Noriega deal.
A shift in Moscow schedule. Mon. 3 to 4:15 meeting has been cancelled. Then some talk about the communiqué & or possible joint statement.
[Meeting with bipartisan representatives and senators on INF treaty, drug program; interviewed by foreign press; lunch with Vice President Bush; meeting with President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB) regarding START; cabinet meeting on same subjects.]
Jesse Helms, Gordon Humphrey, Jim McClure, Steve Symms & our gang in a straight plea to quit blocking INF & let me take it ratified to Moscow. We’ll see what happens. Upstairs to pack & we’re off in the morning.
[Wednesday, May 25: flew to Helsinki; noted, “George stayed behind because it looked like a Noriega deal was upcoming. Then we received word on the plane the deal had collapsed & Geo. will be joining us in Helsinki.”]
Thursday, May 26
Awakened at 12:10 after several hours of solid sleep. Our press is chewing the Noriega deal & using the word failure (applying it to us) every other min.
An afternoon walk at around 3 P.M. then back to the Guest House which is something of a hotel. Dinner—watched 90 min. of our 3 network news programs & so to bed.
Friday, May 27
Up at 9:30 this time—no hiking clothes this time. We dressed up & were driven to the Palace. The streets were lined with people—they are warm & friendly. We were greeted by Pres. & Mrs. Koivisto. Then a brief meeting with him & his team & ours. Then all of us went into a pleasant lunch—they served Calif. wines. After lunch it was back to the guest house. An early dinner & more news reels—then word came our Sen. passed or I should say ratified the I.N.F. treaty. I called Sen’s. Byrd & Dole to thank them & invited them to bring the papers & join me for the ceremony on Wed.
After our early dinner Nancy & I took turns having a massage by a masseuse recommended by Geo. Shultz. And then to bed. Finally got to sleep.
Saturday, May 28
Breakfast at 9:30 AM after a fair night’s sleep. Then at 11: AM a meeting in the “box”—that’s the leak proof room—no bugs etc. Geo. S., Colin P., Ken D., Tom Griscom & Roz Ridgeway plus our Ambas. to the Soviet U. Jack Matlock. We discussed the 1st meeting tomorrow which will be a 1 on 1—me & Gorby. I’m going to tackle him on religious freedom—not as a deal with us but as a suggestion to him as an answer to some of his problems.
Then lunch & back to the box. Same cast & a wider range of discussion on what we hope to accomplish.
Then some homework with the manual they’ve prepared for me. Nancy had another massage.
Dinner in front of the TV again watching the tape of Am. TV news & then to bed.
Sunday, May 29
Get away day—this time to Moscow, our 1st time ever to see Russia. We drove to the Presidential Palace where Pres. & Mrs. Koivisto joined us for the drive to the airport. A brief goodbye visit in the airport V.I.P. then a goodbye message to our embassy people & on to A.F.1. We lunched on the plane & landed in Russia at 2 P.M.—now we’re 8 hrs. different from Wash. time. We were met by Ambas. & Mrs. Matlock & Pres. & Mrs. Gromyko—also our Ambas. staff plus family. Then the ride to the Ambas. house “Spaso House”—a one time castle. On the 20 min. drive 1st to the Kremlin where we were greeted by Gen. Sec. Gorbachev & Raisa—a review of the troops—the Nat. songs of both nations then his welcome to us & my reply. Nancy & Raisa took a tour of the Palace while he & I had a one on one visit. I introduced my favorite pitch—why he should give his people religious freedom. It was a good session & a nice way to launch the summit. Then we went on to Spaso House.
Our people had an idea about us going out on the street to be seen by the people—our goal a kind of set up where children could be photo’d with Disney type animals. It was amazing how quickly the street was jammed curb to curb with people—warm, friendly people who couldn’t have been more affectionate. In addition to our S.S. the KGB was on hand & I’ve never seen such brutal manhandling as they did on their own people who were in no way getting out of hand.
Back to Spaso House for the night.
Monday, May 30
2nd meeting with the Gen. Sec. Touched on other subjects—congratulated him for his courage in leaving Afghanistan. Then tried to show him how some of things were urging on him would actually help bring about his perestroika. There is no question in my mind but that a certain chemistry does exist between us.
Then joined Nancy & we visited the Danilov Monastery which is being refurbished for use as an Orthodox Church. We were shown the restoration of icons that is going on. I addressed the assembled monks about the need for freedom of worship.
Then back to Spaso house for meeting with group of dissidents & Refusniks we’re trying to get released & allowed to emigrate. One man who has been trying to join his wife in Fla. for 8 yrs. got word last Sat. that he can go. It was a heart moving experience.
Then a quiet dinner by ourselves at Spaso House—NO—it was the big dinner at the Kremlin.
Tuesday, May 31
Nancy off early on her visit to Leningrad. My usual beginning in the ice house—that’s what I call the bug proof box we can hold our meetings in. Then my 3rd meeting with Gorbachev & again we got along well—it was a 1 on 1. Then he took me for a brief walk around the Kremlin grounds before we went back for the plenary meeting. Following meeting we attended the Shultz, Shevardnadze signing ceremony of some bilateral agreements—we’re up to about 47 of those now. Then it was a luncheon with a group of cultural & art community members at the House of Writers Assn. I spoke to them about the need for freedom of the arts. Then a couple of hours of free time (homework) and over to St. U. of Moscow where I addressed & took Q’s. from more than 1,000 students. Later met with 35 American Faculty members there on exchange.
Before day was over Gorbachev walked me out into Red Square. It is quite a sight—the expanse is so great it is really something to see. We stopped & talked with several groups of people who were there.
Tonite our dinner for the Gorbachevs—very pleasant & entertainment by our famous American jazz artists quartet.
Wednesday, June 1
Usual staff time in the ice box then on to the 4th plenary meeting with Gorbachev. A little hassle—the joint statement was read. He wanted an addition we couldn’t buy. I used argument his addition would give us trouble at home. He gave in. Then we went into signing ceremony of INF treaty ratifications. They had been brought here by Sen’s. Robt. Byrd & Bob Dole who were present.
Then lunch with our team in the ice box getting ready for my press conf.
And at last the press conf. including foreign & Soviet as well as our entire Wash. press Corps. What can I say except “Thank The Lord.” According to our people I did just fine. Now it’s on to the Bolshoi Ballet & then a private dinner at Gorbachev & Raisa’s country place with Shultz’s & Shevardnadzes.
It was a nice ride out in the wooded countryside to a really lovely home & a good time was had by all. On the way back we drove through Red Square so Nancy could see it. Naturally the press was
on hand & wanted photos. Believe it or not there were hundreds of people behind a rope there to see & wave at us. I don’t know how they find out where we’ll be. It was almost midnight.
Thursday, June 2
Up at 7:30 to pack & do a farewell to the embassy staff. Then over to the Kremlin for a farewell to Gorby & Raisa & off to the airport for a formal departure with the Gromykos & parading the troops etc. All was done & we boarded A.F.1 for the 3½ hour ride & the 3 hour time change.
We had a big breakfast & that turned out to be lunch for the day—well not really. Charlie & Carole had a quiet lunch for us at Winfield House. Then we had some down time—about 4 hours before we left for Buckingham Palace where we had a pleasant tea with Queen Elizabeth. From there it was over to 10 Downing Street for a tête-à-tête with Margaret Thatcher—I gave her a report on our summit in Moscow aided by Colin, George S. etc. Then a pre dinner reception & dinner at 10 Downing & a brief view of the mounted troop “Beating The Retreat.” Over to Winfield House for a good nights rest.
Friday, June 3
Downstairs after 8:30 breakfast in bed & finishing packing. A staff meeting—or briefing I should say with Sec. Shultz, H. Baker, K. Duberstein, M. Fitzwater, Colin P., G. Sigur & P. Stevens—ended at 10:20 AM for arrival of Japan’s Prime Minister Noburo Takeshita. The Prices joined in greeting him. The usual photos with him & several members of the Diet. Then a bilateral meeting mainly on our trade matters—particularly on beef & citrus fruits. Meeting over at 11 AM & we all motored to Guildhall—a very formal gathering led by The Lord Mayor of London & P.M. Thatcher—an audience of several hundred. I made about a 30 min. speech that was very well received. Then our farewells to the Thatchers & others & back to Winfield House for ceremonial farewell to embassy staff & familys & departure by Marine 1 with Prices & out to the airport where we boarded A.F.1 & headed home—a 7½ flight & a five hr. time change.
[Arrived at Andrews A.F.B.]
Geo. B. & Barbara were waiting to escort us in to the hangar where we greeted our Cabinet members, were led to a podium. The Nat. Anthem was played by the Army band. Geo. introduced me & I spoke of our trip & our thanks to the assembled people. Then we marched out the other side of the hangar to Marine 1 & on to the W.H. where there were more people to welcome us—also a small brown & white dog—Rex.
[Saturday, June 4: overcame jetlag already; radiocast; Maureen and Dennis visiting; watched taped coverage of trip; read. Sunday, June 5: relaxed with books, TV, massages.]
Monday, June 6
Howard Baker called—he’s in Tenn. with Joy who has had more health problems. He’ll be here tonite. Ken D. & I held our morning meeting & it was mostly a re-hash of the trip. He thinks I should do some impromptu mixing with the people here as I did in Moscow.
Then Colin for NSC—he was reporting on Geo. S. in the Middle East. He just can’t move Shamir. He has King Hussein & Egypt’s Moubarak going for him but not the hold out. He’s also met with Pres. of Syria but no word on progress with our hostages who are held by the Hezbollah. Wife of one—Joan Sutherland is in Lebanon—has been there working her heart out for a couple of years. She’s made some top contacts. I hope we can help her get her husband out.
[Addressed World Gas Council; desk work; haircut; videotaping; telephoned President José Napoleón Duarte of El Salvador, commented, “he’s at Walter Reed Hospital for Cancer surgery—prospects aren’t good”; telephoned widow of Clarence Pendleton, chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, who died the day before; Dennis and Maureen still visiting.]
Tuesday, June 7
Howard still not here. Ken & I carried on without him. Ken tells me Tommy Griscom is leaving—possibly by end of month. He’s been offered a Vice Presidency in a business concern in Tenn. The Sen. will be voting on my Trade Bill veto tomorrow. I made phone calls to Mike Deaver & Bud McFarlane’s wife Jonny to thank them for their letters on the Summit.
NSC—Colin brought in an NSC board member Ambas. Cohen to give me a rundown on Mozambique & the Renamo. He’s really an expert & he convinced me we should not look kindly on Renamo. They are well organized & in some sectors are very kind to the people but in others they pillage & massacre. Afghanistan—have been rumors Soviets will halt their withdrawal in response to Mujahadeen activity. There is no evidence as yet to back the rumor.
[Received word that Contras and Sandinistas were resuming talks; Representative Mickey Edwards (R-OK) requested meeting; prepared for upcoming economic summit in Toronto; attended fund-raising dinner for Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), commented, “he & Tricia are deserving of everything we can do for them.”]
Wednesday, June 8
George B. on hand for meeting—took the “Red Eye” in from Calif. Howard brought Tommy Griscom in to tell me he (Tommy) was resigning effective end of this month. He’ll be a V.P. of an Insurance Company in Chattanooga. I learned this morning from Geo. B. that Dukakis as Gov. had vetoed a bill to have students in Mass. recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This P.M. Sen. votes on my veto of trade bill.
[NSC meeting with reports by National Security Advisor Colin Powell on resumption of talks between Contras and Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and by Deputy National Security Advisor John Negroponte on Panama.]
Mort Abramowitz went down to Panama last week—is back with some proposals for building pressure against Noriega. One idea is removing mil. dependents & bringing them home. After some desk time I was briefed at 11:30 for meeting & back with about 90 press, radio & TV media from all over the country.
[Received honor from Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity; greeted, as noted, “the lovely little girl who is Arthritis poster child”; meeting with Polish-American Congress.]
Went upstairs with Geo. B. & spent an hour talking about his campaign. Now I’m waiting for Nancy who went to Fla. today for young people’s meeting on drugs.
Thursday, June 9
Howard is back in Tenn. with Joy. I have a feeling he’ll have to make that a permanent move.
Yesterday the Sen. sustained my veto. Then Byrd pulled a political trick. He switched his vote to support the veto which now permits him when he wants to—to call for another vote.
We discussed the Catastrophic Health bill—it looks as if I’ll sign it.
A judge has ruled North & Poindexter must be tried separately.
The House ethics Committee is deciding on whether to bring charges against Jim Wright.
Cong. is thinking of asking me to formally submit the Canada free trade bill to them for approval.
NSC—Soviet Ambass. & other officials visiting other countries are hailing the summit as a great success. Zia has officially cancelled his trip to the U.S.
[Noted that Eduard Shevardnadze raising issue at U.N. that U.S. was blocking progress on START over banning or not banning nuclear weapons on ships; met with President John Mobutu of Zaire, commented, “He’s a good man & is helpful to us on Savimbi in Angola”; addressed National Conference on a Drug Free Workplace; briefing for and then interview with Life magazine; photo sessions; telephoned members of Congress regarding starting work on a new trade bill.]
Friday, June 10
A lot to talk about. Chf. Justice supports bill eliminating mandatory lie detector tests now before Cong. It’s suggested that I send letters to Dole & Byrd re protecting Presidential prerogatives on treatys. A great speech line from Ken Crib—“Liberals don’t care what you do as long as it’s compulsory.”
NSC—Nicaragua talks cancelled again. Sandinistas claim Contras made impossible demands. Both promise not to resume fighting. Contra leaders are coming to Wash. for consultations. There is talk of an arms sale—40 F 18’s to Kuwait?? […] Some Arab states are helping P.L.O. in Israel.
Norm Dicks (Cong.) is threatening to bring legislation to face us to eliminate a lot of our nuc. subs.
[Briefing for and then visit to meeting of Self Help Leadership; planning session for economic summit; presented Volunteer Action Awards; went to Camp David, watched ‘Crocodile’ Dundee II (1988). S
aturday, June 11: radiocast; exercise; ride; heard by telephone that writer Louis L’Amour died. Sunday, June 12: returned to W.H. in morning; attended Mrs. Reagan’s celebrity tennis tournament, with Fess Parker as emcee.
Monday, June 13
A busy day—began with a call from Howard B. in Tenn. His 87 yr. old mother has just been taken to the hospital so he’s staying there. She may require surgery. Ken & the V.P. started the day. We discussed 1st the sale of F 18’s to Kuwait—none of the Hebrew orgs. are opposing this sale. Learned Geo. S. is meeting later in the day with the Contra leaders here.
Then it was Welfare Reform—some on the Hill are talking welfare reform but they are proposing welfare increase. We need a bill that will provide work for welfare recipients.
Cong. defeated a budget busting health care bill. We have a good chance of getting a catastrophic bill I can sign.
NSC—Colin reported on Somalia—the horn of Africa & the continued strife between Govt. forces in the S. & the Somalia people in the N. This is based on ancient tribal rivalries & it looks like the govt. forces are the recalcitrants.
[Discussion of Contras and then Greece, which refused U.S. request for extradition of terrorism suspect; brief visit by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, head of U.N. commission to help Afghans; desk work; telephoned Mrs. Louis L’Amour with condolences; photo session; meeting with Shultz on Mideast; addressed Atlantic Council; received report on NATO from North Atlantic Assembly; received presidential gifts, including bronze buffalo sculpture, bas-relief of president and Gorbachev; filmed campaign footage with GOP candidates; greeted gathering of Hispanic businessmen from New Mexico.]
Tuesday, June 14
The Reagan Diaries Page 85