Diary Entry - 09/21/1983
Key Facts
President Reagan meets with President of the Republic of Honduras Roberto Suazo Cordova.
President Reagan attends a National Security Council meeting to discuss the embassy shelling in Beirut, Lebanon of the previous day.
The US. Commerce Department reports that the gross national product for the second quarter of 1983 grew at an impressive rate of 9.7%.
N.S.C. briefing added nothing new on the embassy shelling. Diplomatic efforts continue & it’s possible the Druse might go for a ceasefire with Lebanon. Worked last night on draft of U.N. speech (next Mon.) Met with speech writers to see if we cant re-focus on the idea that people dont start wars—govt’s do. If govt’s. met—all determined there must not be a war everything including arms reduction would fall into place. Officials of Boys Club came by with 5 cands. for Nat. Youth of the Year. I presented plaque to winner. Lunch in East Room with regional Broadcasters from all over the Nat. Did a Q&A. It went well. Pvt. meeting with Geo. Shultz—mainly on Lebanon. We have our fingers crossed. He’s spending entire day on Hill with House & Senate. A short meeting with Pres. Suaso of Honduras. He’s been here for medical care at Walter Reed Hosp. (Had a Heart Attack) Alright now he’s leaving for home Sat. He’s a good man & determined to bring Democracy to Central Am. Finished day with some tapings. Upstairs to learn that Patti has been storming at Ed Hickey about S.S. protection again. We’ve agreed that if she wants out—after she’s heard their estimate of risks then let her out. She’s nuts but we cant battle this way forever. It isn’t fair to the agents.
