Ronald Reagan

The option that we cannot consider is withdrawing while their mission still remains.

The free world cannot stand by and see that happen.

I wish it could be without hazard, but the alternative is to look at this region which, as I say, is vital.

Probably no one—or no country was more at war with Israel than Egypt, and yet we saw Egypt and Israel come to a peace treaty.

I am pleased to announce my intention to nominate Kenneth S. George.

I hereby order, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff.

I know there are no words, also, that can ease the burden of grief for the families of those young men.

I think we should all recognize that these deeds make so evident the bestial nature of those who would assume power if they could have their way.

We must be more determined than ever that they cannot take over that vital and strategic area of the Earth.

I know there are no words that can express our sorrow and grief over the loss of those splendid young men and the injury to so many others.

The trouble is, the obstacle to that agreement we want so dearly is not Washington, and it never has been; it's Moscow.

Our countries will remain united, strong, and we will protect the safety of our people.

It is inconceivable that any Western leader would make such crude and provocative threats.

No single institution embodies this tradition of sustained artistic achievement more fully than the Metropolitan Opera.

I am pleased to announce my intention to nominate James H. Burnley IV to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation.

Through its deep involvement with artists, audiences, and patrons, the Metropolitan Opera has contributed invaluably to the growth of an American opera community.

We remain hopeful that an understanding will be reached, and we'll continue negotiations even after initial deployments.

I've been especially impressed by Prime Minister Craxi's commitment to attack organized crime and narcotics trafficking.

In international affairs where the element of personal trust is so essential, such meetings as this are invaluable.

Italy is playing a crucial role in the NATO effort to correct the imbalance in nuclear forces in Europe.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of the Italian diligence in this crucial effort.

We're going to keep on doing what we have been doing, trying to complete the plan that we launched a little more than a year ago.

We've made great strides in these first thousand days.

The dedication of your lives to your students has earned the thanks of all Americans.

We Americans are a people of deep faith, hard work, and common sense, and we never stopped believing in ourselves.