PRESS BRIEFING BY LARRY SPEAKES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00587R000100200061-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2011
• Sequence Number: 61
• Publication Date: October 28, 1985
• Content Type: MISC

STAT
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Office of the Press Secret
PRESS BP:IEFING
BY
LARRY SPEAKES
October 28, 1985
The Briefing Room
INDEX
SUBJECT
President's Schedule ......................................1-3
Domestic Policy Council/Grace Commission
Year of Liberty Signing Ceremony
Meeting with Hostage Families
Week Ahead ......... ....... ........ ..............16-17, 18
Tuesday/Tax Reform Meeting with Church Leaders
Tuesday/Senator Abdnor Reception
Wednesday/Meeting with Economists
Wednesday/Meeting with Secretary Shultz
Wednesday/British Exhibit at National Gallery
Affirmative Action .........................................10
Fiscal Crisis ............................ .............15-16
President's Phone Call to Kansas City Royals ...............16
President's Press Interviews ...............................17
Tax Reform .................................................17
Hostages/Hostage I'amilies/Assad ...........................2-5
Duarte/Daughter's Release ..........................5, 8, 9-10
Soviet Seaman/INS.. ........? ........................5-9, 15
Summit/Arms Control~Offer/Communique/
Press Perceptions...... ............... .............8,10-13
Italian-American Troops/Airliner ...... ....................10
Gramm-Rudman/Defense Cuts/Secretary Weinberger/Aspin...14, 15
Brussels Trip.... ... ..................................14
Soviet Television/President Reagan .........................14
Abbas ...... ... ... ....................................14-15
Tass Interview/President Reagan ............................15
Middle East/Hussein/Arafat .................................18
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Office of the Press Secretary
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
LARRY SPEAKES
October 28, 1985
The Briefing Room
MR. SPEAKES: The President today has a meeting of the
Domestic Policy Council at 10:45 a.m. That meeting is to receive the
Final Report of the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control
-- the Grace Commission.
At 11:45 a.m., at the conclusion of that meeting, the
President will go into the Rose Garden at which time he will receive
formally the report and have some remarks. Present will be the Grace
Congressional Caucus, which is-a group of members of Congress who
have supported the Grace Commission recommendations, as well as a
group called Associations United to Cut Federal Spending. We will
have copies of the report for you after the President signs it.
Q Will affirmative action come up at all in that
Domestic Policy Council?
MR. SPEAKES: No. There is open coverage in the Rose
At 2:00 p.m. the President will have a signing ceremony
for the Year of Liberty in the Rose Garden, and that, too, is open
coverage. The Year of Liberty -- and we'll have this piece of paper
for you -- the proclamation designates the Year of Liberty beginning
October 28th of '85 to October 28th of '86. And the Rose Garden
ceremony will formally launch a series of events leading up to the
hundredth birthday of_the Statue of Liberty next October.
The President, as you know, will be participating in
unveiling ceremonies there in July of next year. The restoration is
one of the largest private sector initiatives in history. Over $170
million of the $240 million needed for this project has already been
raised.
Three young contributors will be with the President at
the signing ceremony. They ,are Michael Haverly of Indianapolis, who
is a multi-handicapped foster child who raised over $5,000 for the
statue.
Amy Nessler and her parents from West Deptford Township,
New Jersey brings a special jar of 365 pennies. They were collected
fifteen years earlier by Amy's mother a day at a time to reflect each
day that her fiance was in Vietnam. The family felt this was an
appropriate place for this donation.
And Donna Daly of Ridgeland, South Carolina, who made the
earliest contribution. And when her hometown learned that she was
losing her sight to an incurable eye disease -- they raised money to
send her and her family to see the statue.
The French Ambassador to the United States and members of
the administration and Congress will also be present for the signing
ceremony.
On the signing ceremony table will be a replica of the
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statue that was made from the last miniature mold produced by the
statue's architect.
Q Lee 3aco.eca?
Q Won't Iacocca be there?
Q Modigliani?
MR. SPEAKES: This afternoon at 4:45 p.m. the President
will meet with the families of hostages abducted in Lebanon.
Q What time did you say?
MR. SPEAKES: At 4:45 p.m. This meeting will -- the
President will talk to them for about fifteen minutes, and then Bud
McFarlane will brief them.
At 1:15 p.m. today we'll have our regular briefing due to
the fact that we are having our regular lunch.
Q Did you say Bud would brief after that?
MR. SPEAKES: No, Bud will brief the hostage families,
but will not brief here.
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Q Do you know how long they will be here?
H1R. SPEAKES : No.
Q How many -- the relatives of how many of the
hostages will be here?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have it now. I'm just now getting
that information.
The participants indicate the Anderson family, which
includes Peggy Say and Glen Anderson, the Jacobsen family, which
includes Paul Jacobsen, the son, Father Jenco's family, which
includes a sister -- or two sisters, Peter Kilburn family, which
includes his wife and a niece, and that's it. The Thomas Sutherland
family, which is the other one, is in London, and we have not made
contact with them.
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q Not invited?
Q What about Buckley's?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know whether he is or not --
certainly would be welcome.
What made the President finally decide to see these
MR. SPEAKES: He learned that they were back in town for
one of their regular State Department briefings, and his -- they
wrote a letter and he decided that it would be timely for him to see
them.
Larry?
Would you --
Does the President have any progress to report,
MR. SPEAKES: Once again, we are continuing to work with
all parties in the region in order to be -- bring about some
resolution to this matter, and it remains a priority with the
administration. I don't have anything to report to you.
Q The families indicated yesterday that they'd press
for, I think what they called "an urgent re-evaluation of U.S.
policy" because of the events of the last few weeks that the incident
where Buckley was reported to have been killed, the Soviet
kidnappings, the Achille Lauro affair -- do you see a need for any
kind of reassessment, or has there been any reassessment of your --
the steps you are taking?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, we're continually assessing;
reassessing is a different term. We're continually assessing U.S.
policy and the effectiveness of it and will continue to do so, but
there has been no change in U.S, policy.
Q Larry, the families have been asking to meet with
the President for months. Can you tell us why he chose now? Did it
have anything to do with these other incidents you were just
mentioning?
MR. SPEAKES: No -- not related. The President just
thought it would be timely to do so, since they were going to be in
town for the State Department, and had personally requested a
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meeting.
Q Well, they had been in town several times, and they
had requested meetings several times, and each time they were shunted
off to Vice President Bush. So what is it that made -- I mean, it --
was there nothing that he finally -- did --
MR. SPEAKES: Presidential decision.
Q A Presidential decision based on what?
MR. SPEAKES: Based on the President's mind and his
decision to do so.
So he had decided not to see them before that?
MR. SPEAKES: No -- decided to see him this time.
Q Can you say whether the Achille Lauro and the other
incidents in the .Middle East have upset whatever behind-the-scene
negotiations were going on?
NiR. SPEAKES: Wouldn't comment on that at all.
Q What's the evaluation of the administration now and
the likelihood of success or the progress as far as releasing the
other hostages are concerned?
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I can't rate it on a scale of one to
ten. I can simply say that it remains a priority and we're
continuing to work with all parties and can't be much more specific
? than that.
Q Does the length of time that's passed since the call
about Buckley occurred give the administration any more confidence
that that claim was false so that he may --
MR. SPEAKES: I just don't think we're in a position to
pass judgment either way, and the length of time has not altered it
one way or the other.
Q The Buckley family isn't represented, is it? Can
you tell us why?
MR. SPEAKES: I do not know why. I'm sure they'll be
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I don't know whether they're coming to town with this group or not.
I think this is a briefing for those still held there, and of course,
he is not held.
meeting?
Are you going to have anything to say after the
Frank?
Q What did he say?
Q Did you say Buckley is not held?
Q Did you say Buckley is no longer held?
MR. SPEAKES: Oh, I'm sorry. Weir. I thought you meant
Weir. I thought you were talking about Weir.
Q Well, the Buckley family is not represented in this
group today either.
MR. SPEAKES: Yes --
Q Why not?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know. I don't know the answer to
Buckley doesn't have any family --
There's no family, I don't think.
MR. SPEAKES: Are you open to general questions, or just
-- do you have other announcements?
MR. SPEAKES: I'm trying to finish alI this tail-end
Q Do you have anything further on the reports, I'think
last week or the week before, that the Syrians were formally washing
their hands of any role?
Q What is your assessment of what President Assad's
role is in release -- winning the freedom of the remaining hostages?
MR. SPEAKES: Same as Ambassador to the U.N. said
yesterday on television, that we won't comment on it.
Q You were commenting on it several weeks back, that
you felt he was a key player. Is he no longer a key player?
MR. SPEAKES: Just don't have anything to say.
Q Does the President approve of Duarte's solution for
the kidnapping of his daughter?
MR. SPEAKES: Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Q Do you have any announcements?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, I was coming to the Soviet seaman.
You have seen the reports over the weekend of the Soviet seaman. We
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have sent representatives of the State Department and the Immigration
and Naturalization Service there. We're still in discussions with
the Soviets both here in Washington and in New Orleans regarding the
seaman. Our goal is, according to established practice, is we wish
to interview him in appropriate surroundings to determine his true
intentions. And that's the matter as it stands at the moment.
Q Well, now, there are reports that the last time he
was taken back to his ship we turned him over to the Soviets and he
was taken back kicking and screaming. What is the President's
attitude toward the way Immigration Service and our enforcement
officers acted in that occasion?
MR. SPEAKES: The President has received a~rather
detailed report to indicate that there was difficulty in determining
his intentions because of the interpretation problems there, and once
the matter was examined closely, then State Department officials were
alerted by the INS and they stepped in to make an effort to determine
what his true intentions are.
Q Does that report coincide with news reports which
say that he jumped from the ship in the first instance and was
apprehended on shore and put in a launch to be taken back. He jumped
from the launch, swam to shore again, and it was at that point that
he was turned over to the Soviets.
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have that much detail, Sam.
Q Because it appeared from news reports that there was
some indication that people with some sense should have determined
that he didn't want to go back to that ship. (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have that much information.
Q What is the President's attitude? Sam's first
question was, you know, what does he think of the way this was
handled?
MR. SPEAKES: I didn't have any comment on it.
~ Well, it's the President's determination, though,
that we want to -- not only we want to interview him, but we intend
to interview him before we release that ship.
MR. SPEAKES: That's our established practice to do so,
that's what we intend to do.
Q Has the President ordered that the ship not leave
U.S. waters until this is taken care of?
MR. SPEAKES: There are discussions that are taking place
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the ship is located at Belle Chasse, about i5 -- IO to 15 miles north
of -- or south of New Orleans and it is under jurisdiction of the
Coast Guard -- or the Port of New Orleans.
Q But if we interview him and determine that he wants
to defect, will we grant him asylum?
MR. SPEAKES: Once again, we don't specifically comment
on those type of matters. If you want to check with the INS, they.
will be glad to --
Q Well, I suppose I'm asking that if we interview him
and he says he doesn't want to return home, will we take him off the
ship or will we let him go?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think it's helpful that I comment
any further right now.
Q Larry, could I restate
Q Are there any U.S. --
Q If I restate my question, Larry -- has the President
ordered that that ship not leave U.S. waters until this is resolved?
MR. SPEAKES: Once again, as I said, it's under
jurisdiction -- in waters under jurisdiction of the Port of New
Orleans, and I don't have anything further.
Q What does that mean, "Port of New Orleans"?
Q Does that mean it's out of his authority?
MR. SPEAKES: No, no.
Q No, no.
MR. SPEAKES: New Orleans kind of comes under the
Q Well, that's what I -- that's what I would assume.
MR. SPEAKES: Although -- (laughter) -- local area. It's
not still French. (Laughter.)
Q Are you suggesting it's a local jurisdiction or
Coast Guard jurisdiction? I don't understand --
MR. SPEAKES: No, I'm just telling you what waters it's
Q Can that ship leave without the President's
go-ahead?
MR. SPEAKES: Once again, I'm just not commenting any
further because this matter is under discussion at the scene and it
would not be helpful for me to comment.
Norm.
Q Any American officials boarded the ship yet?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Q Are they on there now?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes.
Pat.
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Q What authority, if any, do we have to require an
interview? Can they simply say, "No, we won't produce him for an
interview"?
MR. SPEAKES: I think the Immigration Act does provide
that authority.
Q What's the circumstance -- it provides the
authority, why? Because he -- there is some indication he was trying
to defect or what?
MR. SPEAKES: I think it's unlawful deportation -- or
deportation of anyone against their will.
willingly.
Q So we're going to determine whether he wants to go
MR. SPEAKES: We're going to determine what his
intentions are.
Q And his intentions will control, is that --
MR. SPEAKES: That's the standard practice, yes.
Sheila.
Q Larry, has any kind of investigation been ordered in
the way the Border Patrol --
MR. SPEAKES: Not that I'm aware of.
John.
Q Larry, to what degree is there concern that this --
about this -- the timing of this incident, coming shortly before the
summit?
MR. SPEAKES: Bud was asked that question -- or a similar
question yesterday and indicated that we don't see that it should
effect the upcoming meetings with Gorbachev.
Q Can you tell us if it's U.S. policy that if a Soviet
citizen reaches the United States he or she is entitled to political
asylum?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know the answer to that, Mike.
Duarte's daughter, wt don't have any comment on what the
President Duarte did to gain the release of his daughter.
Q Can we get an answer -- - -
MR. SPEAKES: Pardon?
Q Can we get an answer from Ed on that?
MR. SPEAKES: Ed, do you want to talk about policy of
MR. DJEREJIAN: It's basically a judgment that's made
after the person is interviewed, and then a judgment is made on the
part of the U.S. authorities whether or not -- if the person asks for
asylum, whether or not it's granted. But there's a judicial process
that has to be followed.
Q Well, this does seem, does it not, to be a case with
some similarities to the Kudirka case, where the U.S. took --
MR. SPEAKES: No, the other one -- that case took place
on the high seas, as I recall --
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Q Well, some similiarities --
MR. SPEAKES: -- not in U.S. territorial waters.
Q A U.S. Coast Guard Captain allowed the Soviets to
beat up Kudirka and remove him back to the Soviet ship. I have seen
no reports suggesting that this man was beaten up. But we did allow
Soviet seamen, apparently, to remove him, kicking and screaming, back
to his ship.
MR. SPEAKES: I'm not sure that the similarities are
Q Is the President going to meet with Duarte later
this week?
MR. SPEAKES: President Duarte is scheduled to be in the
United States. I don't have anything
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specifically about a meeting with him, but if --
Q You'd say something?
:SIR. SPEAKES: -- if one does take place we would announce
Q When do you expect the President to make a decision
on Affirmative Action?
MR. SPEAF:ES: Don't have a time table for it. I don't
think the completion of the option paper -- the drafting of the
option paper has been completed.
Anything else? Lou?
Q Do you have any -- I'm sorry. Do you have any
information on this Italian inquiry into the stand-off, which is
being described as a very strong confrontation between U.S. and
Italian troops at the airbase where the airliner --
MR. SPEAKES: I've been asked about that and declined
comment on that.
Q Well, is it true at least that we're trying to take
the alleged kidnappers and bring them back to the United States for
trial?
MR. SPEAKES: I just don't want to comment on it.
Q Well, do you stand by what you told us on that
Friday night when you first read the -- everything you've told us
about the perfect cooperation between the American and the Italian
troops on the --
MR. SPEAKES: I think you misquote me, but I certainly
Q -- close coordination, close cooperation --
Q That was pretty close --
MR. SPEAKES: --.stand by what I said.
Q -- about to shoot each other?
Q You and other officials talked about this last week,
but what is the present status of whether the President is going to
reply to the Soviet arms control offer before the summit meeting?
MR. SPEAKES: That hasn't been determined. There's a
snowball of press speculation as to what we're going to do in regard
to a communique or statement of principle, all of which appears to be
erroneous with very few exceptions. We don't have any agreement with
the Soviets to develop a communique or a statement of principle. We
do not oppose one, but we're not seeking one. And we certainly don't
judge the success of the meeting with Mr. Gorbachev as to whether or
not we have a communique, we're just simply not seeking one. If one
is developed, then so be it. If it's not, then the meeting stands on
its own. But it's once again the tendency of the press, including
many of those in this room, to set up a criteria for success or
failure or winners or losers. It's not true, it won't work,'and I'm
sorry. (Laughter.)
Q We'll see.
Q That wasn't my question.
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It's all right, Larry.
Q 1~Iy question was whether or not there's going to be a
U.S. reply to the Soviet offer before the summit?
MR. SPEAKES: tdy initial statement, Lou, and. I'll amplify
on it, is that has not been determined. Essentially, tide analytical
work on the Soviet proposal has been completed and that we will --
we're now proceeding with discussions on a fairly regular basis
within the administration. There's a second drumbeat in the --
press?
Discussions on what, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: Discussions on a response --
Can you tell us about a second drumbeat in the
Q On what?
MR. SPEAKES: Discussions or. a response to the Soviet
proposal. There is a second drumbeat in the press that there is
disarray which -- a crippling disarray in the administration which
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is allowing us to -- is forcing us to delay in replying to the Soviet
offer -- not so. The offer was -- our proposal was put on the table
last spring. The Soviets spent months reviewing it before they came
up with a counter-proposal. j{]e now have that proposal before us
which we've analyzed in less than a month and it has not been
determined as to whether we would respond to it before, during, or
after the meeting with Mr. Gorbachev.
Q Are you saying there's no difference of opinion. I
mean, there's clearly --
MR. SPE~'1KES: The President, as always, invites
discussions among -- but that -- among his advisors in regard to key
issues t'nat come before him and then he makes a decision. In t'nis
case, he will do so wizen he's heard all he wishes to :near. But this
discussion, which is standard practice, is in no way delaying the
United States' response. We're simply analyzing it closely.
There seems to be another erroneous opinion --
Q Can I --
Q Is there a third --
Q -- on --
Q Is there a third drum beat in the press --
MR. SPEAKES: There is a third drum beat --
Q Wait -- can we -- on the analyzing, you mean that
the President has the analysis now?
MR. SPEAKES: The President will be presented the
analysis shortly. It has been completed.
Q But it has been completed?
The third area of misunderstanding in the press corps --
certainly not deliberate -- was that the United States attempted to
shift the focus from arms control to some other issue at the summit.
We have always pictured the four bas',cets, as you recall. (Laughter.)
There have been four areas that we will consult. Arms
control is important and so are regional issues. If you would note
that the most recent large arms control initiative -- SALT II --
failed on the part of a regional issue -- Afghanistan -- Carter
withdrew it from the Senate because of Afghanistan.
The support of the President's position by the allies at
the U.N. in New York was --
Q Is that a fourth issue, or is it a sub-issue of the
MR. SPEAKES: That's the same one -- was substantially --
well, the story was, as reported on Schuster's network -- not by
Schuster, of course -- was that -- and rehammered again on the Sunday
show -- was that the United States went to New York trying to shift
focus. The allies told them and they 'nad to -- we had to shift gears
again. Not so.
Q Not so we s'riifted gears again, or not so we ever
tried to shift focus in the first place?
MR. SPEAKES: Both. (Laughter.) That we went --
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a second.
Q Well, I mean, if you deny the first, there can't be
MR. SPEAKES: -- that we went to New York, the President
presented his viewpoint and it was --
Q -- still deny --
MR. SPEAICES: -- it was well received by the allies. And
the United States has always intended to pursue four major areas at
Geneva and will continue to do so. And we go with a slid support of
the allies. So, there are three stories that are, once again, tzin
air on the part of t'ne writing press and -- .
Q And the talking press.
MR. SPEAICES: And the talking -- walking, talking press.
Q -- gave me the tips on background.
MR. SPEAKES: Mike?
Q Larry, do you sometimes wish that you had one state-
controlled wire service, one state-controlled network and one state-
controlled daily newspaper -- (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: No, I just simply wish that I had many
voices who spoke with accuracy instead of none who speak with
accuracy -- many who speak with inaccuracy.
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Q Larry, speaking of alleged disarray, what is the
President's view as to how binding Gramm-Rudman would be on defense
cuts in the future? Does he agree with what Cap Weinberger said in
"Human Events"?
MR. SPEAKES: Cap Weinberger's statement in "Human
Events," they were talking about the 80 percent cut, was made
sometime before the bill was completed and the final agreements had
been made.
The OMB Director yesterday indicated that it was no
higher than 45 percent or 50 percent, and that's our viewpoint.
Q So the President confirms or goes along with the
agreement from conference and disagrees with the way Cap analyzed it
MR. SPEAKES: There's not a conference agreement, there's
a Senate-passed bill that we agreed to, yes.
Q So he views defense spending as being subject to
cuts and wouldn't hold back because of national security?
MR. SPEAKES: That's true, but this in no way prevents
the President from pursuing his 0-3-3 growth rate in defense which he
intends to do so. If Gramm-Rudman should trigger, and of course, you
know the criteria for triggering it, defense would certainly take
part of the cross-the-board cuts as other programs would.
Larry --
Q Can you give us some guidance on when the President
is going to give a speech on arms control before the summit, if he
is?
MR. SPEAKES: Lou, that hasn't been determined
specifically. He will be --
Q What was the question?
MR. SPEAKES: When the President will speak on arms
control before the summit. The subject, nor the time has been
decided. Chances are that any other major statement would take place
during the week or ten days prior to departure. He will be speaking
out virtually on a --
Q Daily basis?
MR. SPEAKES: -- three or~four times a week in coming
weeks through interviews and other criteria.
What about this Brussels trip and whether that means
MR. SPEAKES: I might have something for you at noon on
that. I might have something for you at noon on that.
Q You still do not have a response from the Soviets on
the request to have the President be shown on Soviet television?
MR. SPEAKES: No, we have not.
Q Can you --
Q Larry --
Q Larry, is Abbas in Iraq? Are we doing anything --
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MR. SPEAKES: Don't have any information --
MR. SPEAKES: Don't have information on Abbas.
Q
been approved?
Q He meant they have not --
Q He meant they have not responded --
Q They have still not responded to the Wick?
MR. SPEAKES: To the TV, yes.
MR. SPEAKES: We have had discussions with the Soviets in
regard to an interview in the Soviet media, both television and the
Wick proposal which we've not responded to, and other media which, of
course, would be Soviet print media. And we have not worked out the
final details, nor have a specific schedule for an interview.
Q You say you have not responded to --
Q Let's go back to the seaman again, this one question
about your approach to this. Would you be doing the same thing if
this were a seaman from, say, a Swedish or --
What about a possible interview with Tass? Has that
-- or a Brazilian ship? So it's not based on --
MR. SPEAKES: No, it's based on law, precedent.
Pat?
Q The week ahead?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have the week ahead.
Sarah?
Q Did the President read Les Aspin's open letter to
Weinberger Sunday, and how did the President, whether he read that
letter or not -- he must know Gramm-Rudman provides ultimately, down
the road that we send about a third of the troops home some day.
Does the President go along with that?
MR. SPEAKES: That's not the judgment or the analysis of
the OMB Director.
Q Well, now, wait a minute, now. That may -- but Les
Aspin, he's been an analyist in the Defense Department, he's Chairman
of House Armed Services Committee, and he ain't nobody's fool. He
must know what he's talking about. He said that directly.
MR. SPEAKES: Nor is Jim Miller.
Les Aspin.
Q Oh, I think he knows a lot less about defense than
Q Larry, is the President preparing to impound funds
to slow down the rate at which we reach the fiscal crisis and give us
some more space beyond November 15th?
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MR. SPEAKES: No, November 15th in the judgment of the
Treasury. In fact, November 3rd and 4th -- or 3rd through the 5th,
right? Third or fourth.
MR. BRASHEAR: No, the 1st to the 4th.
A4R. SPEAKES: The 1st to the 4th are crucial dates in
that area and we will have to make some decisions there about
disinvestment.
nothing?
Q Somebody must have a week ahead over here. You have
MR. SPEAKES: You have the week ahead? I've got next week
over here. Is that --
Q That's all right. We'll take that, too.
Q Any week. Any week.
Q Emory wants it.
Q This week is good, but --
MR. ROUSSEL: He wants the week after next.
Q Is there any in-town that's lining up?
MR. SPEAKES: I'm not aware of any, Dave. Rusty?
Q Any what?
MR. SPEAKES: I have not heard that.
Q How does the President feel about having to talk to
83 people in the Royal's clubhouse last night? (Laughter.) They
kept passing the phone from one guy to another.
MR. SPEAKES: He asked for the bat boy. -- the bat boy,
Q Finally poor old ABC cut it off while he was still
being passed around the room.
MR. SPEAKES: Tell you what. I had a call -- after
staying up through that thing I had a call about -- I don't know, a
quarter to twelve or something that said George Brett is calling you.
And I said okay.
Q which secretary in the White House?
MR. SPEAKES: And then this voice came on and then it
went off and the operator said, "I don't believe that was an
authentic phone call." (Laughter.)
(Laughter.)
Q Which secretary does George 3rett know here in the
MR. SPEAKES: We have a plumbers unit out checking that.
Okay, tomorrow, Tuesday, the President goes to a tax
reform meeting that includes church leaders and church men --
protestant lay leaders.
Q What time?
MR. SPEAKES: At 1:00 p.m.
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Q Where is that?
Q That's in the White House?
Q EOB?
MR. SPEAKES: Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Q What yes, yes, yes, yes?
MR. SPEAKES: The EOB.
And then at 6:00 p.m. he goes over to the Sheraton Grand
for a reception for Senator Abdnor.
On Wednesday he comes rolling into the White House and
meets with a group of outside economists at 11:45 a.m., has his
regular meeting with Secretary Shultz, goes over to the National
Gallery to look at the British exhibit at 4:00 p.m.
And on Thursday -- don't have anything specific on
Thursday or Friday either. All is tentative right now.
Q Larry, do you know what days, if any, this week
we'll be getting the text of any of this series of interviews he has
done?
MR. SPEAKES: Not yet, Bruce.
Q Are these all foreign interviews?
MR. SPEAKES: Don't look for them this week yet.
Q Does he -- he has three or four this week?
MR. SPEARES: Two this week.
Q Do you have anything you want to say about Ways and
Means over the weekend?
MR. SPEAKES: No, just direct you to the Chairman's
statements, and --
Q Well, the Chairman said that he is going to have a
bill by the first week in December.
MR. SPEAKES: He indicated, though, that his committee
would finish with it -- he may not have to you, but to us -- around
the 8th of November.
Q Well, that's not November 1st.
Q
committee work will be done? Still take a few weeks to write it?
MR. SPEAKES: The committee will report a bill, I believe
is what he has told us, around the 8th.
You mean the language won't be written but the
That's what I heard.
Q Well, he said yesterday that he thought the House
would complete action on the bill by the first week in December,
which suggests that the Senate is not going to even look at it this
week.
MR. SPEAKES: We would hope that the House could act
quicker than that.
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Q Do you anticipate any remarks for coverage at the
Sheraton tomorrow?
MR. SPEAKES: No.
Q Where is the Sheraton --
Q Do you have anything to say --
Q Where is the Sheraton Grand? Is that the one they
fixed up that they renamed?
Q No, it's something -- it's on the Hill.
You don't know.
MR. SPEAKES: No, I've never been there.
Q Fourteenth.
You and I've got to get out more. (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: Yes. They've built all these hotels in the
last four years.
Q Do you have anything to say about Hussein and Arafat
and whether or not non-PLO participation is going to --
MR. SPEAKES: No, our position hasn't changed on that.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
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