Diary Entry - 04/16/1986
Key Facts
President Reagan places a call to Mrs. Diana Lorence, widow of the weapons officer aboard the F-111 fighter bomber which was shot down during an air strike on Libya.
President Reagan participates in a meeting with Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hans-Dietrich Genscher.
I learned that in the last two 24 hr. periods the W.H. has taken 126,000 phone calls 15,000 couldn’t get through—then 160,000 & 16,000 couldn’t get through. They were more than 70% favorable. The sad note is we have to assume the 2 missing airmen are dead. Evidence indicates their plane was shot down just off shore after dropping it’s bombs.
An N.S.C. meeting—this time subject was SALT II & what to do about Soviet violations. The Soviets have called off the May 15 meeting with Shevardnadze. But that was after a meeting with W. German Foreign Minister Genscher.
I made a couple of phone calls to Reps. re the Contra aid. The Dems. as we expected are playing tricks & games. Over to E.O.B. faced about 140 lawyers & signed a proclamation making May 1 Law day.
Back to the Oval O. & a ceremony in the Rose Garden with the mens & womens Nat. NCAA basketball champions. U. of Louisville (men) & Texas (women).
A meeting with Geo. S. & John P. we’re getting reports there may be a revolution (which we would welcome) kicking up in the streets of Tripoli. No one has seen or heard from Qadhafy—rumors are flying like crazy. The Libyan A.F. strafed the barracks of Qadhafys special guard.
Back to the mundane—a meeting with Sen’s. Dole & Domenici about the budget. Cleared the air a little but not too much progress. At least they know I wont stand still for a tax increase. I phoned the 2 widows of the lost airmen—each had a young son. Dinner tonite with Dennis & Merme. Nancy will be here tomorrow.
Whoa! Evening news reports Qadhafy has made an appearance & is in charge. Tripoli radio is calling on Arabs to kill Americans.
