59. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Weinberger to President Reagan1
SUBJECT
- Weekly Report of Defense Activities (U)
Congressional Activities: After several delays, in part because of the continued hospitalization of Chairman Joe Addabbo,2 we expect the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to begin on Tuesday3 markup of our FY 1986 Defense Appropriations Bill. I will meet with members of the Subcommittee next week at the Pentagon for a working breakfast, during which we will make a strong case to fund our Defense program, particularly SDI, adequately.
On Wednesday,4 I spoke before the Senate Republican Committee Staff Directors and Administrative Assistants. I stated our belief that the SDI offers mankind the greatest hope of any strategic concept in at least 100 years and that it offers us the opportunity to eliminate strategic offensive ballistic missiles. In response to a question, I explained that the budget request for defense should be based only on an analysis of the Soviet Union’s programs and capabilities and the threats they pose to the United States. I also assured them that I am “the same stubborn and intransigent person” that I have always been as far as getting what is needed for defense. Reaction seemed very positive, and it was a useful get-together.
Also this week, General Abrahamson and I went to the Hill to meet with Senator Pete Wilson at his request for a general discussion of the SDI. Pete, a strong SDI supporter on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concern that the opponents of SDI are continuing and increasing their opposition. General Abrahamson pointed out that much of the opposition was the result of lack of knowledge of the current status of the SDI program and requested that Senator Wilson gather an appropriate group for an SDI update. As a result, a group of Senators will receive a series of thorough SDI briefings this weekend. (U)
[Omitted here is material not related to the Strategic Defense Initiative.]