Diary Entry - 05/09/1984
Key Facts
President Reagan receives President Masire of Botswana.
President Reagan participates in a meeting with the U.S. Presidential Delegation of Observers to El Salvador's second round Presidential Election.
President Reagan meets with selected Republican Members of Congress.
East room ceremony to recognize the “Small Bus. Men” of the year. We really have the support & affection of the Small Bus. Assn. Then Pres. Masire of Botswana arrived. His land locked Co. is suffering from 3 yrs. of drought. He has adamantly stood for Free enterprise & democracy in his land. Geo. S. & I met briefly about the Soviets. He’s convinced the freeze including the Olympic boycott is Gromyko’s doing. I think he’s right. The observer team I sent to El Salvadore came back to report. They are 100% enthusiastic in their support of the election—it’s honesty etc. and the need for us to help in Central Am. Two Dem. Congressmen came to see me Marvin Leath & Beryl Anthony. They are solidly in my corner re the Chemical Warfare bill to indicate if Soviets dont accept our treaty to eliminate such weapons—we’ll go ahead & produce them as a deterrent. From them I went before a group of Repub. Congressmen who are reluctant about this action. I hope I moved them. Then upstairs to wood shed for my speech to the nation. Went on at 8 P.M. explaining the Central American situation. By 9:30—915 to 151 positive phone calls had come in.
