Diary Entry - 03/25/1986
Key Facts
President Reagan participates in an Economic Policy Council meeting.
President Ronald Reagan orders emergency aid for the Honduran army.
President Reagan places a call to Doug Gamble, joke writer for NBC's Tonight Show.
Well it’s tomorrow & Honduras has asked for more than transportation—some weapons. Under our law concerning an emergency situation in a friendly country I can give such aid so I’ve done so.
The score now in Libya is 4 of their Navy vessels sunk & one possible we cant confirm. Reaction is practically unanimous that we’re doing the right thing.
Scheduled to see Sen. Wendel Ford on “Const.” vote. He cancelled. Said—he’s with us so doesn’t have to have a meeting. We had an N.S.P.G. meeting on whether to continue observing the SALT II restraints in view of Soviet violations. State Dept. put up an argument to continue doing so. Others including Cap want to give it up. I’m inclined to vote for replacing that informal agreement with our arms reduction proposal now in Geneva. Tell the Soviets we can have a real reduction in weapons or an arms race but we’re not going to sit by & watch them keep on fudging.
After lunch an Ec. Policy Council meeting. I’ve OK’d telling European Community we won't stand by for unfair trade practices brought on by Spain & Portugals entry into the E.C. Other subject was Davis-Bacon Act & should we cancel or what. I cant reverse myself and cancel but I’ve ordered that entry level contracts must be $100,000 & up. Right now they are $2,000. Well $2000 in 1931 when this started would be $100,000 now so we’re just keeping even.
Made some phone calls, got a sneeze shot & I’m home.
