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White House Diaries
June
24
1985
June 24, 1985
Monday, June 24, 1985
Well my heart is broken—we all agreed that in view of the hostage situation we should cancel our trip to the ranch. I can do everything there I could do here but the perception of me vacationing while our citizens are held in duranceville is something I cant afford—so no trip.
Met with several Governors Repub. & Dem. regarding tax reform. Most were supportive. Gov. Babbit of Arizona had a couple of questions—I think we answered them & that he’ll go along. After an issues briefing lunch we called an N.S.P.G. meeting re the Beirut situation. Bill Casey feels we must come up with a fig leaf for Berri or releasing the hostages would cause his assassination by the fanatics. Bill suggested a spokesman approaching him about offering Israel an assurance of safety in S. Lebanon for which they would free the 700+ Shiites they are holding. At the same time I’ve urged that we approach Assad of Syria to go to Berri & tell him he can be a hero by releasing our people or he can be stubborn and we will begin some actions such as closing down the Beirut airport, closing Lebanons harbors etc. until he releases our people. This is all being staffed out now. I can agree to the need for a fig leaf but there also has to be a threat of action (nonmilitary).
A meeting with Armand Hammer re the Bethesda research on cancer which appears to possibly be a real breakthrough. He recommends more money to enlarge the trials—more cancer victims treated etc. He also has had a strictly 1 on 1 with Gorbachev and feels I should go to Moscow for a meeting. He’s convinced “Gorby” is a different type than past Soviet leaders & that we can get along. I’m too cynical to believe that.
A busy photo session including a pic. with the U. of Utah girls gymnasts—they have won the N.C.A.A. title for 5 straight years.
Tonight Nancy & I went to Teddy Kennedy’s home for a big fundraiser in a tent—purpose money for the J.F.K. Presidential Library. John & Caroline had invited me some time ago. The whole family was most warm in their thanks. I wonder if Teddy will still be able to blast me as he has?
