Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume I, Foundations of Foreign Policy

250. Memorandum From the Assistant to the President and Director of Communications (Buchanan) to President Reagan¹

Washington, September 26, 1985

Clare Luce called in with some rhetoric to get around the demonizing of our strategic defense initiative that is being done by the media et alia:

The President:

“Look, we don’t want ‘Star Wars’ or Hot Wars or Cold Wars or any other wars. What we are seeking is a Space Shield over the United States—just as the Soviets are seeking to develop a Space Shield over the Soviet Union. Maybe Strategic Space Shield (SSS) is a better description of what we are after than SDI.”²

1. Source: National Security Council, NSC Institutional Files, Box SR 157, McFarlane Personal, 1983–1987, The President’s Handwritten Notes. No classification marking. A stamped notation in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.”
2. In the margin below this paragraph, the President wrote: “Pat—I’m in favor. Let’s pass the word— ‘Star Wars’ or ‘S.D.I.’ becomes ‘Strategic Space Shield’ in all speeches, memos etc. We should check it out with Cap & George S. before any announcement. Then perhaps I should pick a spot to frankly announce the change as being more appropriate & accurate than either ‘S.W’s.’ or ‘SDI.’ RR”