Diary Entry - 09/06/1983
Key Facts
President Reagan meets with Secretary of State George Shultz to discuss the Korean Airlines shoot down.
President Reagan attends a National Security Council meeting to discuss the civil war in Lebanon.
The U.S.S.R. admits to shooting down KAL 007 on September 1.
N.S.C. meeting with Geo. S. to discuss his meeting with Gromyko. Some are opposed but I think George is right he should see Gromyko & eyeball him on the Korean plane shoot down. There were 61 Americans on that plane. This could be the 1st time Gromyko has been put on the defensive. A 2nd & larger N.S.C. meeting discussed whether we should give a little on our position in the M.B.F.R. force negotiations in Vienna. I think there is a better option but now is not the time to switch. Lebanon was next on the agenda. We lost 2 more Marines last night in Beirut. The Civil War is running wild & could result in collapse of the Gemayal govt. & the stuff would hit the fan. I called the parents of the 2 Marines—not easy. One father asked if they were in Lebanon for anything that was worth his son’s life. A short issues lunch then brief meeting with Sherman Swenson CEO of Dalton Booksellers. They have launched—on their own—a program to battle adult illiteracy. A good meeting with leaders of United Jewish Appeal. Drop by for Jim Jenkins 60th B.D. & home.
