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01/05/1984 (case file 273338)
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01/05/1984 (case file 273338)
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Presidential Briefing Papers
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Digital Library Collections This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections. Collection: President, Office of the: Presidential Briefing Papers: Records, 1981-1988 Folder Title: 01/05/1984 (case file 27338) Box: 38 To see more digitized collections visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected] Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/ Dy Page 10/2 ID # 273338 WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT WORKSHEET TR X-MEDIA H-INTERNAL Name of Document: BRIEFING PAPERS FOR PRESIDENTS Subject Codes: SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS FOR JAN0584 PR 007 - 01 Ds Subject: Meeting with Chief Executive AG - officers of certain agricultural BE 003 - associations regarding the future FG 010 - 02 direction policy. of food and agricultural FE 010 - ST - PE - 2) Meeting of The Cabinet Council on Management F5 370 - and administration ta regarding RS - A) Paperwork Reduction act goals FG 024 - 06 B) Border stations PR 011 - Hu 013 - 30 0 c) reduction of the number of cwil CO 038 - service employees in the higher - Bay grades - D) President's Council on Integrity - and Efficiency report. - - - ROUTE TO: ACTION DISPOSITION Office/Agency (Staff Name) Action Tracking Date Type of Completion Date Code YY/MM/DD Response Code YY/MM/DD RMHENL RSZ C Referral Note: Page 20/2 WHITE HOUSE ID # 273338 OFFICE OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT WORKSHEET X-MEDIA H-INTERNAL Name of Document: BRIEFING PAPERS FOR PRESIDENT'S / Subject Codes: SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS FOR JA JAN058Y 5 PR 007 - 01 3) Subject: Meeting with James L. Emery, - Leaway Development Corporation administrator of the St. Pawrence - - - 4) Meeting with Susan Goodman, - Mrs. america 1983. - I 5) Filming of a message for the 12th - sponsored by the minority Conomic annual Martin futher King atr. Dinner - - Resources Corporation - I 6) Video taging of a message for the I Natronal Council of Farmers - Cooperatives convention. - - 7) andio taping of a message of 8to he broadcast - by Voice of Cimerica to the Cuban people - ROUTE TO: ACTION DISPOSITION Office/Agency (Staff Name) Action Tracking Date Type of Completion Date Code YY/MM/DD Response Code YY/MM/DD RMHENL RSZ C Referral Note: THE SCHEDULE OF The President has seen PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN Thursday, January 5, 1984 9:00 am Staff Time Oval Office (30 min) (Baker/Meese/Deaver) 9:30 am National Security Briefing Oval Office (15 min) (McFarlane) 9:45 am Senior Staff Time Oval Office (15 min) 10:00 am NSC Briefing Situation Room/ (1 hr 45 min) (McFarlane) Cabinet Room 11:45 am Dropby Meeting of Leaders of Roosevelt Room (15 min) Agriculture Organizations (Whittlesey) 12:00 m Lunch with the Vice President Oval Office (60 min) 1:00 pm Personal Staff Time Oval Office (60 min) 2:00 pm Cabinet Council on Management Cabinet Room (60 min) and Administration (Fuller) 3:00 pm Personal Staff Time Oval Office (60 min) 4:00 pm Speech Meeting Oval Office (30 min) (McFarlane) 4:30 pm Personnel Time Oval Office (20 min) (Herrington) 4:50 pm Administrative Time Oval Office (10 min) 1. Photo with James Emery (Tutwiler) 2. Photo with Mrs. America (Fuller) 5:00 pm Taping Session (Elliott/Goode) Diplomatic (30 min) 1. Video Tape for 12th Annual Martin Reception Luther King Dinner Room 2. "Today Show" 80th Birthday Tribute to Cary Grant 3. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives 4. Audio Tape for Voice of America 5:30 pm Private Meeting (20 min) Library (Deaver) UNP 01/04/84 6:00 pm THE SCHEDULE OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN Thursday, January 5, 1984 - no squires feeding due 9:00 am Staff Time 0906- Oval Office (30 min) (Baker/Meese/Deaver) are present 0925 VP entered 9:30 am National Security Briefing Oval Office (15 min) (McFarlane) 0935 t Pounderte meere, Dear VP 9:45 am Senior Staff Time Oval Office (15 min) 10:00 am NSC Briefing 1001-1103 Situation Room Situation Room/ (1 hr 45 min) (McFarlane) 1105- Cabonit Room Cabinet Room 11:45 am Dropby Meeting of Leaders of Roosevelt Room (15 min) Agriculture Organizations (Whittlesey) 12:00 m Lunch with the Vice President Oval Office (60 min) 1206-1250 1:00 pm Personal Staff Time Oval Office (60 min) 1250 - 2:00 pm Cabinet Council on Management 1903- Cabinet Room (60 min) and Administration (Fuller) 1500 3:00 pm Personal Staff Time Oval Office (60 min) 4:00 pm Speech Meeting Cancelled Oval Office (30 min) (McFarlane) 4:30 pm Personnel Time 1630 Oval Office (20 min) (Herrington) 4:50 pm Administrative Time Oval Office (10 min) 1. Photo with James Emery (Tutwiler) 2. Photo with Mrs. America (Fuller) 5:00 pm Taping Session (Elliott/Goode) Diplomatic (30 min) 1. Video Tape for 12th Annual Martin Reception Luther King Dinner Room 2. "Today Show" 80th Birthday Tribute to Cary Grant 3. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives 4. Audio Tape for Voice of America 1730 Internew in library (A, Deaner) UNP 01/04/84 WHCA tape. 4:00 pm THE SCHEDULE OF PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN Thursday, January 5, 1984 The President has seen 9:00 am Staff Time Oval Office (30 min) (Baker/Meese/Deaver) 9:30 am National Security Briefing Oval Office (15 min) (McFarlane) 9:45 am Senior Staff Time Oval Office (15 min) Situation Room/ 10:00 am NSC Briefing Cabinet Room (1 hr 45 min) (McFarlane) (distributed separately) 11:45 am Dropby Meeting of Leaders of Roosevelt Room (15 min) Agriculture Organizations (Whittlesey) (TAB A) 12:00 m Lunch with the Vice President Oval Office (60 min) 1:00 pm Personal Staff Time Oval Office (60 min) 2:00 pm Cabinet Council on Management Cabinet Room (60 min) and Administration (Fuller) (TAB B) 3:00 pm Personal Staff Time Oval Office (60 min) 4.00 pm Speech Meeting GANE Oval Office (30 min) (MeFarlane) (distributed separately) ON 4:30 pm Personnel Time (20 min) CANCELLED Oval Office (Herrington) 4:50 pm Administrative Time Oval Office (10 min) 1. Photo with James Emery (Tutwiler) 2. Photo with Mrs. America (Fuller) (TAB C) 5:00 pm Taping Session (Elliott/Goode) Diplomatic (30 min) 1. Video Tape for 12th Annual Martin Reception Luther King Dinner Room 2. "Today Show" 80th Birthday Tribute to Cary Grant (TAB D) 3. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives 4. Audio Tape for Voice of America 5:30 AMANDA INTERVIEW LIBRARY UNP 01/04/84 4:00 pm THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 4, 1984 MEETING WITH CEO'S OF AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS DATE: January 5, 1984 TIME: 11:45 a.m. LOCATION: Roosevelt Room FROM: Faith Whittlesey 120 I. PURPOSE To discuss the future direction of food and agricultural policy. II. BACKGROUND The two subjects of paramount interest are the future direction of Federal farm price support programs and the barriers to the international trade of agricultural products. III. PARTICIPANTS Edwin Meese Edward Andersen Secretary Block National Grange John Svahn Faith Whittlesey Roger J. Baccigaluppi National Council of Farmer Gerald B. Brewer Cooperatives National Cotton Council of America Robert B. Delano American Farm Bureau Federation John Falconer Rice Millers Association James T. Hudson National Broiler Council Bernard Imming United Fresh Fruit and Patrick B. Healy Vegetable Association National Milk Producers Federation Donavon Loeslie John A. Stevenson National Association of National Corn Growers Association Wheat Growers George W. Stone William J. Waldrip National Farmers Union National Cattlemen's Assn. Wayne Walter Ralph H. Wems, Jr. National Pork Producers Council American Soybean Association Morgan Williams Donald G. Zimbleman Cooperative Leagues of the USA National Sunflower Association 2 IV. PRESS PLAN White House Photographer V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 11:45 a.m. -- President greets guests and photos are taken. 11:50 a.m. -- President makes opening remarks 11:53 a.m. -- President invites discussion 11:58 a.m. -- President reponds to discussion 12:00 noon -- President departs Attachment: Talking Points Briefing Paper and Talking Points for the President's Meeting with Farm Leaders January 5, 1984 There are two subjects of paramount interest to the farm leaders who will meet with the President on January 5 -- the future direction of Federal farm price support programs and the barriers to the international trade of agricultural products. While these two subjects are separated below for the purpose of facilitating discussion, they are closely related. Federal farm price support programs can have a profound effect on our competitive position in world markets. To the extent that we have high price supports for farm commodities, we encourage other countries to increase their production and sell that increased production on the international market at prices which undercut U.S. prices. Trade barriers that deprive U.S. farmers of their markets abroad add to the surplus that domestic farm programs must absorb at considerable cost to the taxpayer. A successful food and agriculture policy is one that recognizes the interre- lationships between domestic farm programs and international trade policy and coordinates the two so that they complement each other rather than work against each other. Future Direction of Food and Agriculture Policy. Legislative authority for most current farm programs expires at the end of the 1985 crop year. Failure to enact new authority will trigger implementation of commodity programs of 1930s and 1940s vintage. This would be unacceptable to virtually everybody. The question before the Administration and the agricultural community is how to go about enacting a new farm bill that will avoid the costs and other problems associated with current programs. There is growing support for a bipartisan presidential commission -- along the lines of the President's commissions on Social Security and Central America ----- to chart the course for food and agriculture policy. Midwest Farmers Association, a farmer cooperative, and ConAgra, a major agribusiness company, have urged the President to appoint such a commission. Senator Dole has written the President suggesting that a bipartisan commission or task force be established to formulate a coordinat- ed agriculture trade and foreign food assistance policy to mark the 30th anniversary of the P. L. 480 program. If this issue comes up, the President can make the following points: The White House Office of Policy Development and the Department of Agriculture are at work on the design of a process for conducting a review and assessment of -2- current food and agriculture programs. The purpose of this endeavor is: to educate the country as well as those of us in government on the strengths and weakness- es associated with current programs and to provide a common base of understanding to facilitate the debate on the 1985 farm bill. This process will be conducted under the guidance of the Cabinet Council on Food and Agriculture via a network of interagency working groups that will examine clusters of related issues. The Department of Agriculture will hold a number of listening sessions throughout the country to collect information and ideas from those outside government. The information gather- ed from these sessions will be made available to the appropriate working groups for their consideration. From time to time, the working groups may invite scholars, farm leaders, and other outside parties to address particular questions identified by the working groups. There are no plans at this time to create a formal independent bipartisan commission to make recommenda- tions on food and agriculture policy. Note: The attached opening remarks for the President announce that this review process is being established. Such an announcement places the President in a leadership role in the development of future food and agriculture policy and helps deflect requests for the creation of a bipartisan commission. Agricultural Trade. U.S. agricultural exports have slumped during the past two years from $44 billion in FY 1981 to $39 billion in FY 1982 and $35 billion in FY 1983, reversing a thirteen year trend of ever increasing farm exports. In FY 1984 the value of U.S. agricultural exports is expected to rebound to around $39 billion. This increase, however, is due to higher prices rather than an increased volume of trade. The agricultural community is very disturbed by these developments because it is in the international market place that farmers perceive an opportunity to enhance their incomes. If this matter is raised, the President can make the following points: The primary causes of reduced exports include worldwide recession, the strong U.S. dollar, East-West tensions, and unfair trade practices by our trading partners. We have tried to address many of these factors so as to help stimulate U.S. exports of food and fiber products. -3- We provided a record amount of agricultural export credit guarantees in FY 1983 ($4.8 billion worth) and recently have increased the total guarantees available for FY 1984 from $3 billion to $4 billion. These steps in conjunction with our P.L.480 program and the multilateral assistance programs in which we participate, are helping to deal with the liquidity problems of developing countries. We also implemented the blended credit program to help more countries buy U.S. agricultural products. We negotiated a new long term grain agreement with the Soviet Union that requires the Soviets to increase their minimum annual purchases of U.S. grain by 50 percent. We did not resort to agricultural trade embargoes when the Soviets shot down the Korean airliner although there was considerable pressure to do so. We have emphasized to our trading partners - particularly the EC and Japan ---- that we must remove the barriers to the international trade of agricultural products. In some cases we have bolstered our words with acts that show the seriousness with which we approach this matter. Witness the subsidized sale of wheat flour and dairy products to Egypt and our implementation of the blended credit program. Moreover, we have made it clear to the EC that we will not sit back passively if they seek to restrict imports of U.S. nongrain feed ingredients or if they impose a consumption tax on vegetable fats and oils. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 4, 1984 CABINET COUNCIL ON MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION DATE: January 5, 1984 LOCATION: Cabinet Room TIME: 2:00 PM (60 minutes) FROM: Craig L. Fuller CF I. PURPOSE To meet with the Cabinet Council on Management and Administration and hear presentations on paperwork reduction goals, the consolidation of border inspection stations, and position management. In addition, the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency will present its semiannual report. II. BACKROUND Paperwork Reduction/CM443 Chris DeMuth will offer a favorable report on the accomplishments of this Administration in achieving goals established under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. Since 1980, the existing Federal paperwork inventory has been reduced by 32%. The Cabinet Council will offer revised goals for additional paperwork reductions for your consideration and approval. Border Inspection Consolidation/CM392 In a November 2, 1983 meeting of the CCMA, the Departments of Treasury and Justice agreed to a broad compromise plan that would consolidate the border inspection facilities of Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Efforts to consolidate services of the two offices have been attempted since the end of World War II, but have been frustrated by the "jurisdictional prerogatives" of the two Departments. With that in mind, the progress made to date is quite noteworthy. Joe Wright will present the components of the plan for your consideration and approval. -2- Position Management/CM333 OMB, OPM, and the Grace Commission have concluded that the Federal workforce is top-heavy with professional employees and managers in pay grades GS-11 to GS-15. Don Devine will present a plan to reduce this "bulge" by 8% by the end of 1988. President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) Joe Wright will present a summary report of the current findings by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency. The report is written by the Inspectors General of the federal departments and agencies, and is presented on a semiannual basis. III. PARTICIPANTS Members of the Cabinet and White House Senior Staff. IV. PRESS PLAN None. V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Ed Meese will be prepared to lead the discussion on all agenda items and will defer to various persons for presentation where appropriate. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 4, 1984 PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR JAMES L. EMERY, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1984 LOCATION: Oval Office TIME: 4:50 pm FROM: Margaret Tutwiler MDT I. PURPOSE To greet James Emery and wish him well as the new Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. II. BACKGROUND On October 14, 1983, the President announced his intention to nominate James L. Emery to be Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Mr. Emery's nomination received Senate confirmation on November 21, 1983. He is the first St. Lawrence Seaway Administrator from the state of New York. Mr. Emery is President of the Emery Corporation, a management consulting firm. He was a member of the New York State Assembly for eighteen years, serving as Minority Leader for four years. Mr. Emery led the support for President Reagan within the New York state legislature during the 1980 campaign. In 1982, Mr. Emery ran for Lt. Governor of New York on the Republican ticket with Lew Lehrman. Among those individuals who actively supported Mr. Emery's nomination for St. Lawrence Seaway Administrator were Drew Lewis, Senator Alfonse D'Amato, Congressmen Jack Kemp, Dave Martin and Bill Green, and the New York Republican State Party Leadership. III. PARTICIPANTS James L. Emery Margaret Tutwiler IV. PRESS PLAN White House Photographer V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS - Mr. Emery and Margaret Tutwiler enter Oval Office - THE PRESIDENT greets Mr. Emery and wishes him well as Administrator - Photographs taken with THE PRESIDENT - Mr. Emery and Margaret Tutwiler depart Oval Office THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 4, 1984 MEETING WITH SUSAN GOODMAN (MRS. AMERICA 1983) DATE: January 5, 1984 LOCATION: Oval Office TIME: 4:50 pm (5 minutes) FROM: Craig L. Fuller CF I. PURPOSE To greet and congratulate Susan Goodman on her selection as Mrs. America 1983. II. BACKGROUND Susan Goodman, 31, is from Waverly, Tennessee and was selected Mrs. America 1983 last April in Las Vegas. She is the mother of one daughter and is currently an instructor and choreographer for Action Aerobics, Inc. The Mrs. America Pageant was first established in 1938 to honor the "ideal American homemaker". The pageant went out of existence in 1968 but was reinstituted in 1977, emphasizing beauty, person- ality, poise and community service. The competi- tion is open to married women of all ages and approximately 15,000 entered in 1983. III. PARTICIPANTS Mrs. Susan Goodman IV. PRESS PLAN Wire Service Photographers V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Mrs. Goodman will enter the Oval Office and you will greet her as photographers take pictures. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 4, 1984 TAPING SESSION DATE: January 5, 1984 LOCATION: Diplomatic Reception Room TIME: 5:00 PM FROM: Mark Goode I. PURPOSE To film a message from the President. II. BACKGROUND This will be a filmed greeting to the 12th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner sponsored by the Minority Economic Resources Corporation. MERC is a non profit organization working with over forty major corporations in the Chicago area to assist minorities with employment, training, housing, and business opportunities. The President was invited to address this dinner on January 14, 1984 in Chicago. III. PARTICIPANTS The President IV. PRESS PLAN None V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Standard filming set-up. attachments: to be submitted by the speechwriters office. (Robinson/BE) January 4, 1984 2:30 p.m. PRESIDENTIAL TAPING: 12th ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING DINNER THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984 Reverend Brooks, Jim Woodward, corporate supporters and guests of the Minority Economic Resources Corporation: I'm delighted to join you in honoring a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King was born in an America where, because of the color of their skin, nearly one in ten lived lives that were separate and unequal. Most black Americans were taught in segregated schools. Across the country, many could find only poor jobs, toiling for low wages. Our Nation proclaimed "liberty and justice for all," but denied it to many. In the face of that injustice, Dr. King made equality of rights his life's work. Across the country he organized boycotts, rallies and marches. Often he was beaten and imprisoned, but he went on, sustained by his vision. "I have a dream," he said, "that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood." In 1964, Dr. King became the youngest man in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize. When he was gunned down by an assassin in 1968, he was only 39. But those 39 years had changed America forever. Equal rights had been written into law. And there was more than a change of law, there was a change of heart. Across the land, Page 2 people had begun to treat each other not as blacks and whites, but as fellow Americans. Late last year, Coretta King, Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr , and other members of the King family joined me at the White House as I signed a historic bill into law. Beginning in 1986, each year our Nation will celebrate the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It will be a day not only to recall Dr. King, but to rededicate ourselves to the great labor of equality for which he lived and died. You at the Minority Economic Resources Corporation are carrying on that labor, and you inspire us all. You work with more than 40 major corporations in the Chicago area to help minorities get jobs, training, housing, and business contracts. I understand that in just the first 9 months of last year, you found jobs for 963 people, including 110 youths between the ages of 16 and 21. Our Administration has always urged private groups and businesses to help minorities, and you're leading the way, showing how we can foster working relationships between minorities and businesses to the benefit of both. If all of us show the same dedication as the Minority Economic Resources Corporation, then we will see the day when Dr. King's dream comes true, and in his words, " all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning 'land of the Pilgrims' pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring. Thank you, and God bless you all. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 4, 1984 TAPING SESSION DATE: January 5, 1984 LOCATION: Diplomatic Reception Room TIME: 5:00 PM FROM: Mark Goode I. PURPOSE To video tape a message. II. BACKGROUND This message will be a birthday greeting to Cary Grant to be aired on the TODAY show January 18 ... Cary Grant's 80th Birthday. The TODAY show is planning a special tribute for this occasion. Other participants are Joan Fontaine, Deborah Kerr, and Jimmy Stewart. III. PARTICIPANTS The President IV. PRESS PLAN None V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Standard video taping set-up. attachments: to be submitted by the speechwriters office. (Rohrabacher/BE) January 4, 1984 3:00 p.m. PRESIDENTIAL TAPING: "TODAY SHOW" 80th BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO CARY GRANT THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984 I am honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Cary Grant. This is a special treat for me. For most of my life, I earned my living in the entertainment industry, and, of all the professionals in the business, none was more respected by his peers than Cary Grant. Cary was around in what are now called the "Golden Years of Hollywood." And they were golden because of fine actors like him. He made brilliant performances seem routine, and he brightened the lives of the American people and people throughout the world. Those of us who've made feature films stand in awe of the quality and quantity of Cary's acting. He made so many films one would think he should have been 80 years old long ago. Cary, you can be proud of all you've accomplished. You won the hearts of all of us here in your adopted country. You put smiles on our faces and gave our spirits a boost when we sorely needed it. Some people think that a feature film is make-believe. Today we honor you for your talent and your decency of character that always came through on the silver screen. That's not make-believe, that's the real Cary Grant. God bless you, Cary. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON February 4, 1984 TAPING SESSION DATE: January 5, 1984 LOCATION: Diplomatic Reception Room TIME: 5:00 PM FROM: Mark Goode I. PURPOSE To video tape a message from the President. II. BACKGROUND This message will be played at the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives convention that will be held January 10-12, 1984 in Phoenix. Arizona. III. PARTICIPANTS The President IV. PRESS PLAN None V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Standard video taping set-up. attachments: to be submitted by the speechwriters office. (Dolan/BE) January 4, 1984 3:00 p.m. PRESIDENTIAL TAPING: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF FARMER COOPERATIVES THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984 Good morning. I'm delighted to have this opportunity to speak to you at your 55th Annual Meeting. I want to give a special hello to your Chairman, Roger Baccigaluppi [Bach-uh-guh-loop-ee] -- and to your President, Wayne Boutwell, as well as those from the Congress, Senators Thad Cochran, Dick Lugar, Dee Huddleston, and David Boren, and Representatives Ed Madigan and Ed Jones. You know, I can't think of a better way to begin your conference than with the film, "John Wayne's America." Once again, Duke has made us all aware of how truly blessed we are to live in such a great land as America. One of the great marvels of this country is the productivity of our agricultural system. At the very heart of that system, indeed the backbone of our country, is the family farmer. And these achievements in providing for so many of the world would not have been possible without the vital backup provided by the marketing, supply and credit cooperatives. And, in that regard, I can assure you our Administration will continue to strongly support legislation which protects the rights of farmers to engage in cooperative efforts such as your own and to orderly market your products. We are now beginning to see the results of our economic recovery program as well as the improvements resulting from Page 2 lifting the grain embargo and the "payment-in-kind" or PIK program, but there are still areas of concern. And we are also vigorously pursuing an aggressive open agricultural trade policy. Since we export the production from one of every three acres of crop land, improving world trade is essential if we are to maintain a healthy agricultural economy. But we will not idly stand by and let our competitors take away our markets by unfair trade practices. For this reason, I have instructed Secretary of Agriculture John Block to take a tough stance on unfair practices. We are also working hard to open up world markets for our agricultural products. As part of this effort, I have recently approved an additional $1 billion in export credit guarantees, for a total of $4 billion for this fiscal year. Your meeting theme, "Strength and Direction," captures not only the spirit of your organization, but our Nation as well. I firmly believe that our Government should encourage -- not discourage -- our family farmers and their cooperatives to do what is best produce and market a dependable supply of high quality food and fiber for the benefit of us all. So you can all be proud of the job the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives is doing on behalf of cooperative agriculture. I salute you for 55 years of service and working together for the benefit of all of us. I look forward to working with all of you and your national leadership in the months and years ahead. Both Nancy and I wish you a most successful meeting and a prosperous 1984. (Elliott) January 4, 1984 6:00 p.m. PRESIDENTIAL TAPING: VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCAST TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984 On behalf of the people of the United States, I would like to extend New Year's greetings to the people of Cuba. We know you are marking an historic anniversary on your island. Twenty-five years ago, during these early January days, you were celebrating what all of us hoped was the dawn of a new era of freedom. Most Cubans welcomed the prospects for democracy and liberty which the leaders of the Cuban revolution had promised. Such a free and democratic Cuba would have been warmly welcomed by our own people. We are neighbors in a hemisphere that has been characterized by the quest for human freedom. Government which rests upon consent of the governed is a cardinal principle that enshrines the dignity of every individual. But tragically, we know those promises to you have not been kept. Since 1959, you have been called upon to make one sacrifice after another. And for what? Doing without has not brought you a more abundant life. It has not brought you peace. And most important, it has not won freedom for your people -- freedom to travel where and when you wish, to speak your opinions, work in independent unions, and to openly proclaim your faith in God -- and to enjoy all these basic liberties without having to be afraid. Cuba's economy is less capable every day of providing you and your families your most elementary needs. It exists only by massive subsidies from abroad. But your leaders tell you, don't Page 2 complain, don't expect improvement, just be ready for more sacrifice. In the meantime, nearly a million of your fellow citizens have migrated to the United States where their talents and their hard work have made a major contribution to our society. We welcomed them and we are proud of their success. But we have to wonder -- what would Cuba's economy be like today if those people had been allowed to use their great talent, drive and energy to help you create prosperity on your island. The most important question remains: Where is Cuba heading? If it were heading toward greater welfare and freedom for your people, that would be wonderful. But we know prisoners of conscience convicted for their political activities have been languishing in Cuban prisons, deprived of all freedom for nearly a quarter century. Never, in the proud history of your country, have SO many been imprisoned for so long for so-called crimes of political dissent, as during these last 25 years. Others convicted of political crimes this past year can expect to be in prison well into the 21st century, if the present system in Cuba survives that long. You may not be aware of some of these things I have just told you or will tell you in this brief message. You may also be unaware of many other things you have the right to know. That's because you are systematically denied access to facts and opinions which do not agree with your government's official view. But why are your leaders so unwilling to let you hear what others Page 3 think and say? If the power of truth is on their side, why should they need to censor anyone's views? Think about that. Yet, while they supervise every word you hear, every picture you see, your authorities have free access to our news services in the United States and around the world. We don't believe in censorship. [So to correct this injustice, the Congress of the United States has authorized the start-up soon of a new radio service on the Voice of America, named for your great Cuban patriot, Jose Marti. The objective of the Radio Marti Program will be simple and straightforward: Tell the truth about Cuba to the Cuban people.] We want you to know what you haven't been told, for example, about the situation in Grenada. When Grenada's Prime Minister Bishop was killed, the Governor General, as well as the majority of the English-speaking Caribbean, asked for our assistance in protecting them. Why didn't they ask for Cuba's assistance? The sad truth is, they wanted to be protected from the Cuban regime. The U.S. and other Caribbean forces were welcomed by Grenadians as liberators. The rest of the world has seen the evidence of the popular outpouring of support for our action. Cuban lives could have been saved if your Government had respected the will of the Grenadian people, and not ordered your soldiers to fight to the death. Fortunately, the great majority of your personnel in Grenada did not obey those orders. One of your government officials said in September 1982 that 120,000 Cubans have carried out international missions through Page 4 the revolutionary armed forces alone. They have been sent to countries in four continents. You're never told how many of them are killed, how many families lose loved ones for a cause they have no right to resist. What mission or vital interests does Cuba have which can possibly justify this loss of life in such faraway lands? These are not pleasant questions, but they deserve answers. I hope you will contemplate them with care. At the beginning of this New Year, let us pray that the future will be kinder than the past. And may that better future begin soon for all of you in Cuba. Happy New Year and God bless you.