Diary Entry - 08/17/1988
Key Facts
President and Mrs. Reagan horseback ride around their home in Santa Barbara, CA, Rancho del Cielo.
Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel are killed in a mysterious plane crash.
At 7:30 A.M. phone call from Colin Powell. One of our C-130’s in Pakistan—the Punjab where a mil. demonstration of one of our new tanks was taking place crashed on takeoff killing all on board. This included Pres. Zia of Pakistan, our Ambas. & 2 of our Generals. We’re waiting further word as to others & possible cause of crash. We took our 1st ride this morning—Nancy too. Then some more picture hanging—lunch & back to pictures. Afternoon—back to our Oak tree pruning. Then a call from Colin & Bea O.—more details on C-130 plane crash. Apparently an explosion. Trying to see if it was sabotage. Thirty seven dead. We lost our Ambas. & 1 General. Seven of their 15 top mil. were killed. Geo. Shultz leaves tomorrow with a delegation for funeral ceremony. We are appointing immediately a new Ambas. who will accompany George.
