Reagan Back at White House, Hails Support on Terrorism

President Reagan returned to the White House on Wednesday from his 13-day Asian trip to a flag-waving reception and said he has gained the support of the United States’ top allies in “winning the war” against terrorism and “wiping this scourge from the face of the earth.”

In brief remarks to welcoming Cabinet members on the South Lawn of the Executive Mansion, Reagan also declared that the Tokyo summit meeting of the seven leading industrial democracies made a start toward solving some of the world’s toughest economic problems, from food surpluses to trade imbalances.

The red-coated Marine Band was on hand for his return, as were several hundred supporters and aides, some of whom waved miniature American flags.

The President, with the First Lady at his side, said he was “more than pleased” that the other leaders he conferred with in the Japanese capital agreed to “move beyond words and rhetoric in the struggle against terrorism.”

He added: “Terrorists and those who support them--especially governments--have been put on notice. It is going to be tougher from now on.”

As to the specific economic problems on the conference agenda, Reagan said the summit nations agreed that the issues of trade imbalances and unstable currencies will be dealt with not separately, but rather as part of an overall effort to coordinate international economic policy.

The conferees spent more time on discussing excess production of food and fiber than on any other issue, Reagan said. In the end, they decided on further deliberations, a “modest step” that the President said ultimately could help U.S. farmers boost sales overseas.

However, U.S. officials traveling with Reagan, and who declined to be identified, conceded that the United States avoided pressing the other summit nations on certain sensitive issues--such as new world trade talks starting in September and the problem of agricultural export subsidies--in the interest of overall harmony at the conference.