PRESS BRIEFING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00587R000200790012-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2010
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: July 17, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/18: CIA-RDP91-00587R000200790012-3
Office of the Press Secretary
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
LARRY SPEAKES
July 17, 1935
The Briefing Room
INDEX
SUBJECT PAGE
STAT
Personnel Announcements ..................................... 1
3riefing on Central America .................................1
Personal Income/Iiou3ing Figures ............................. 2
3uc'.get................................................... 1, 4
President's Health/Status ................................ 3-31
Central America ........................................... 1-2
Supplemental Extradition Treaty, U.K.-U.S ................... 5
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/18: CIA-RDP91-00587R000200790012-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/18: CIA-RDP91-00587R000200790012-3
MR. SPEAKES: Well, I'll give you a -- the current
status of Constantine Menges --
Q Is there paper on all these appointments?
MR. SPEAKES: Mr. -- Dr. Menges has moved from the
Directorate on Latin America to the Directorate on International
Communications and Information in NSC. Office was established
several years ago to monitor and supervise our public diplomacy
programs. By signing Mr.-Menges to this position, NSC will take
extensive knowledge of his -- take advantage of extensive knowledge
and ability he has as a communicator. He will continue to serve as a
senior staff member of the NSC, and Special Assistant to the
President for national security affairs.
As far as the Senior Director for Latin American
Affairs, Ray Burghardt is the person who is the head of that area.
staunchly --
Q The story is, was he moved because he was too
-- either anti-communist or hardliner or something
MR. SPEAKES: No. The -- this morning, personal income
and housing start figures are out for the month. Personal income was
up five-tenths of a percent in June. This is another indication of
continued steady growth in the nation's economy. The June figures
follow a five percent decrease in May. That decrease was considered
a statistical aberration created when special factors pushed up
personal income in April.
Also, the delay of tax refunds continues to affect
growth in disposable income. Most refunds were paid out in May, and
disposable income rose correspondingly by 1.8 percent. When the
funds declined in June, disposable income dropped 2.2 percent. When
the effects of tax refunds is factored out, disposable income shows a
steady, continued growth moving in step with personal income.
Personal consumption rose another six-tenths of a
percent in June, matching the May figures. Housing starts in June
were also up, rising 1.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate
of 1.7 million units. The rate of the new permits issued fell off
3.7 percent, down to an annual rate of $1.7 million.
With the sharp drop in mortgage interest rates in recent
weeks, the housing industry is expected to see a sharp rise in
activity in the closing summer months. With the economy continuing
to grow at a steady sustainable rate, and Congress seemingly
determined to reach some sort of agreement on budget cuts, the
foreseeable economic future is a bright one. Passage of the
President's growth-oriented tax reform package would be yet another
step towards long-term fiscal growth.
Q Good news, in other words?
Q The personnel decisions --
MR. SPEAKES: Pardon?
Q Were the personnel decisions made last week or
MR. SPEAKES: No, they were made -- several weeks ago.
That's the way they were.
Q Do we have paper on all of them?
Q So you say you think passage of a budget compromise
MORE #1503-07/17
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/18: CIA-RDP91-00587R000200790012-3