Diary Entry - 10/18/1981

Key Facts
President Reagan travels to Williamsburg, VA and meets with President of the Republic of France Francois Mitterrand on board the French Frigate DeGrasse.
President Reagan acknowledges that the U.S. economy is in a recession.
Andreas Papandreou was elected prime minister and Greece joined the European Union.
Off to Yorktown by Helicopter. Piped aboard the French frigate DeGrasse for lunch with Pres. Mitterrand. They do such things very well. In an afternoon meeting with him in Williamsburg—we didn’t seem quite as far apart on the 3rd world problem—we’ll discuss at Cancun. He & I with Mrs. M. & Nancy appeared at John Daltons (Gov. Va.) Commonwealth dinner. 9 Gov’s in attendance—we were presented with paintings. Mine was of Wash. firing 1st cannon at seige of Yorktown. Then on to our “State Dinner” at the original Gov. Generals mansion. About 114 people and a very pleasant affair with toast by Pres. M.—Lord Harlshan of Eng. & myself.
