White House Diaries

Monday, August 1, 1988

View the President's Schedule

Another muggy, steam bath day.

Ed Meese came in for a part of the 1st meeting. He wants his successor, Gov. Thornburgh to be a part of N.S.C. as he is. It’s fine with me. Then he made a pitch for Gov. Sununu’s recommendation on Nuc. Power Plants emergency regulation & an executive order. On S.D.I. being gutted in Defense authorization bill I should veto bill & make the S.D.I. an important part of my veto message. Again I agree. Then he left & meeting went on. Tomorrow I’ll meet with Cong. leaders on Plant closing bill. I think I should let it become law without my signature—no way it wouldn’t be over ridden if I vetoed. We’re releasing AIDS report today—(my task force).

N.S.C.—Sec. Herrington has made a wise decision on locating new nuc. material plant. There’ll be 2—1 in S. Carolina using “heavy water” system. The other in Idaho using gas.

It looks good for getting Cong. approval of sale of F-18’s to Kuwait.

Then a 1⁄2 hr. meeting with new President of Cyprus George Vassiliou. He’s quite a man & determined to wipe out the Greek-Turkey split & reunite the island. We are going to help him thru the U.N.

After some desk time it was lunch with more than a dozen Repub. leaders of State Legislators. Actually it was nearer 20. It was quite a rally for the coming campaign & an effort to get a majority in more State legislatures. After lunch—over to East Room to meet with 54 young people from East High—here in Wash. They are a choir that placed 2nd in international competition in Vienna. They are all black & sang magnificently for us.

Back to Cabinet Room for a Domestic Policy Council meeting. Subject was about international program calling for reduction of pollutants—Nitrates & Oxides etc. We are ahead of most nations in eliminating or reducing emissions now.

Don Hodel came in Oval O. & briefed me on Yellowstone park fires. Bob Tuttle with a few appointments. Ken D. heard back from Nick Brady—he’ll be replacement as Sec. of Treasury as Jim B. joins campaign.

Then to Dr’s. office. Dr. Utts examined my prostate—verdict excellent. At 5:30 left for Nat. Building Museum & did a fund raiser for Sen. Bill Roth. Receiving line about 70, then addressed 300. Affair raised $250,000 for Bill. Then home & mother.