‘Off the record’ remark recorded

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 32

‘Off the record’ remark recorded

NZPA-AP Washington President Reagan has been quoted as having joked in a voice test for his weekend radio broadcast that he had signed legislation which “outlaws Russia forever” and that bombing would begin “in five minutes.” Mr Reagan’s comments were made in what the White House says was an “off the record” sound level test before the President taped a broadcast on tax policy from his ranch in Santa Barbara, California.

Gannett News Service reported the remarks. A source insisting on anonymity told the Associated Press that Mr Reagan jokingly remarked: “My fellow Americans. I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia for ever. The bombing begins in five minutes.”

The G.N.S. report gave much the same statement, with a slight variation, say-

ing that Mr Reagan had remarked, “We begin bombing in five minutes.” No reporters were present at the taping session, and no copy of the tape recording could be obtained. Under ground rules worked out by the White House and the broadcast networks that tape Mr Reagan’s week-end addresses, comments by the President during micro[ihone checks and sound evels are off the record.

Newspaper and magazine reporters are not allowed to watch Mr Reagan make the radio speeches and have made no agreement to keep the remarks off the record. The White House refused to confirm or deny what was said.

“Any comment the President would make in advance of his radio address would be off the record and we do not discuss it,” said Mr Anson Franklin, a White House spokesman.