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Reykjavik Summit

3 of 3

The days before, during & after this pivotal moment between world leaders.

Diary Entry - 10/12/1986

Key Facts

  • President Reagan is unable to reach an agreement with the Soviets because he does not give into their demands to drop S.D.I.

  • President Reagan addresses the military families stationed in Iceland prior to leaving for Washington.

View the President's Schedule
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Final day & it turned into an all day one even though we’d been scheduled to fly out in early afternoon. Our teams had given us an agreement to eliminate entirely all nuc. devices over a 10 yr. pd. We would research & develop S.D.I. during 10 yrs. then deploy & I offered to share with Soviets the system. This began the showdown. He wanted language that would have killed S.D.I. The price was high but I wouldn’t sell & that’s how day ended. All our people thought I’d done exactly right. I’d pledged I wouldn’t give away S.D.I. & I didn’t but that meant no deal on any of the arms reductions. I was mad—he tried to act jovial but I acted mad & it showed. Well the ball is in his court and I’m convinced he’ll come around when he sees how the world is reacting. On way out I addressed our mil. force & familys at Air base. They were enthused & cheered my decision.

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