Before the Meeting

The president's office was in a lovely buidling overlooking the waterfront. There were a couple of nice reception rooms where you could prepare for your meeting and sign the guest book. We signed in right after the delegation from Senegal.
Of course, there was security, especially in light of the fact that someone tried to assassinate the president in January. (A boy scout stepped in and saved the president from a knife attack.) Back in the 1980s, rebels from Sri Lanka tried to take over the country when they thought the president was out of town. So there is some nervousness about the idea that the president's daily schedule should be released to the press in advance.

We understand the reason for the concern. After all, John Hinckley was posing as a member of the press corps when he shot President Reagan. Still, that should not prevent the press office and the news media from achieving a working relationship.