White House Diaries

Tuesday, November 15, 1988

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My Biographer, Edmund Morris wants to stick with me an entire day. I’ve said yes. We’ve decided on a press conf. Dec. 8. A luncheon will be held in Wash. 2nd week in Jan. to raise money for F.D.R.’s Presidential Library. They want me to be Honorary Chmn. How do you say no to that? Gorbachev & Raisa are going to visit Eng. on way home from U.N. speech.

Farmers Home program is sending notices to borrowers who are delinquent. Press is making it look like these are foreclosures—they are not.

N.S.C.—Lots of Q’s. about P.L.O. statement on Israel. We still dont know all the details.

Colin is going to see Sec. of St. about denial of visa to Arafat who wants to come to U.N.

Angola—we still do not have details on Cuban withdrawal. Some desk time then a briefing for Chancellor Kohl’s visit. He arrived at 11:30. Usual format—3 waves of press, then a 10 min. 1 on 1 then into the Cabinet Room. A good meeting which we continued at lunch in W.H. We covered most of the important points. He’s a good friend. Then departure statements. Back to the office for some good desk time & a lot of bill signing. Accepted 1st issue of new magazine called “Constitution.” It is published by “Foundation For the U.S. Constitution” of which I am honorary Chmn. Nancy is Honorary Chairwoman. A meeting with Christy family—he is 1st & oldest recipient of a heart transplant. Snapshot is of him & the youngest recipient who was 18 months at the time. (page of photo of the two of them).

A meeting with Dennis (Mermes Husband). Merme is feeling lost & left out now that we are leaving. She wants to stay involved in govt. & politics. I had to tell him I cant ask George to find a place for her.

Then a taping session for 5 different affairs. My sneeze shot. Upstairs to exercise & in for the night. Merme & Dennis for dinner.