Remarks on the Crash of
an American Jetliner in
I
have a little statement here as Nancy and I depart for
There
are many difficult aspects to this tragedy, but none so compelling as the
anguish of those families who will not have their loved ones with them this
Christmas season. Christmas is a special time for the young, for those who
carry the twin promises of hopes and dreams. And on this flight were the hopes
and dreams of many young people, including the tragic loss of so many students
from
Q.
Mr. President, do you think this was an act of retaliation and that there was a
bomb aboard that plane in retaliation for the downing of the Iranian airliner?
The President. Well, none of this,
Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International], is established. The search
still goes on. We have no knowledge of how this accident happened. We're trying
to find out.
Q.
Mr. President, do you feel that the American citizens should have been warned
about a possible incident, as American diplomats were?
The President. I think all the
precautions that could be taken were taken, with regard to warning the airline
and all. But if you stop to think about it, such a public statement with
nothing more to go on than an anonymous telephone call -- you'd literally have
closed down the air traffic in the world.
Q.
Mr. Reagan, the suggestion, though, is that you care more about the diplomats,
whom you did warn, than the American public.
The President. No, that, as I say, I
think that would have been a virtually impossible thing to do on the basis of
that telephone call. And then when, if ever, would there be a revival on all
airlines?
Q.
Do you know what's in the black box? Do you get briefed today?
The President. No, we do not know that
just yet. I've got to go.
Q.
Do you accept the apology of the Iranian -- not the apology but the statement
from the Iranians, that they regret what happened,
that they had nothing to do with it?
The President. What?
Mr.
Fitzwater. He wants to know if you accept the Iranian statement that they had
nothing to do with it.
The President. I think we're going to
try to find out by substantial evidence who had
anything to do with it.
Q.
Merry Christmas.
The President. Merry
Christmas to all of you.
Note: The President
spoke at 9:47 a.m. at the South Portico of the White House, prior to his
departure for Los Angeles, CA. Marlin Fitzwater was Assistant to the President
for Press Relations.