Diary Entry - 02/04/1981
Key Facts
President Reagan writes that "Their socialism is an economic failure," acknowledging the inevitability of Soviet fall.
President Reagan holds a meeting to discuss issues of interest to minorities in America with leaders from the black community.
Cabinet discussion of grain embargo. I’ve always felt it hurt our farmers worse than it hurt Soviets. Many of our allies?? filled the gap & supplied Soviet. But now—how do we lift it without sending wrong message to Soviets? We need to take a new look at whole matter of strategy. Trade was supposed to make Soviets moderate, instead it has allowed them to build armaments instead of consumer products. Their socialism is an ec. failure. Wouldn’t we be doing more for their people if we let their system fail instead of constantly bailing it out? Cap Weinberger told me afterwards it was the most substantive cabinet meeting he&d ever attended & he’s been attending for 5 yrs. under 2 previous admins.
