Diary Entry - 10/01/1982
Key Facts
President Reagan participates in several meetings with President Ricardo De la Espriella of the Republic of Panama.
President Reagan hosts a luncheon for US Supreme Court Justices to mark the opening term of the Supreme Court.
Helmut Kohl, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, replaces Helmut Schmidt as chancellor of West Germany.
Lunch in the St. Dining Room for the Supreme Ct.—very enjoyable. They were gratified. Tradition has it that they report their return to Wash. to the Pres. as court convenes for the Oct. session. I guess few, if any Presidents in recent yrs. have formalized it with a luncheon. Supposed to leave early for Camp David but House was playing games with balanced bud. amendment. First they introduced a straight statute which was overwhelmingly defeated as it should have been. Then came the Const. amendment which required a 2⁄3 vote. It got a sizeable majority but failed to make the 2⁄3. I appeared in the press room & laid it on the House Dem. leadership where the blame properly lies. Prior to that met with Amb. (to Russia) Hartman. It was a fruitful meeting. He confirmed much of what I feel about Soviets—their economy is staggering, there is corruption & rampant cynicism re communism & the govt. Finally at 5:30 off to Camp David.
