White House Diaries

Monday, April 25, 1988

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News of an explosion in one of our diesel submarines most crew taken off by a naval vessel but 3 men are missing.

Ken conducted 1st meeting—Howard on his way back from Tennessee. We discussed coming meeting with P.M. Mulroney. He has some pol. difficulty in Canada. Nancy & I are having them for lunch while they are here. I suggested a W.H. photographer get a shot of that which we’ll release to the press.

On the hill—there are more than 200 amendments proposed for the defense bill.

Sen. Dan Quale has switched & wants to be with us on I.N.F. ratification before the summit.

N.S.C.—Colin just back from Moscow. Nuc. planning meeting scheduled to be held in Denmark will now be in Brussels because of Danish parliament resolution that nuc. vessels have to be kept out of Danish waters.

Colin reported how Soviets raised h--l about my speech in Springfield Mass. last week. “Tass” was particularly critical of me. Both sides in Moscow feel we cant pull START treaty together for signing at summit but all agreed we go right on working on it. Progress has been made on Chemical Weapons agreement. Ethiopia is letting some of the relief workers back into the famine area.

Some much needed desk time in which I signed off on Canadas request to buy nuc. subs from Eng. Our permission needed because of our technology we sold to Eng. I gave it. At 11:45 A.M. an ecumenical group of Clergy came by to present a petition they are sending to Gorbachev. They have 250 signers which reads like a who's who in our land. It is a plea for religious freedom in Russia. An issues briefing lunch. Howard had arrived for this. More desk time & then an N.S.P.G. meeting to plot some further steps with Noriega.

I phoned Frank Robinson manager of Orioles who have lost 18 straight games beginning with 1st game. I told him to ask them to win one for the Gipper.

Then a haircut & upstairs to exercise & get ready for opening of remodeled Blair House. We have house guests with us there & for dinner & overnight at the W.H. Marion Jorgensen & Bunny (Bonita Granville).