Fitzwater Apologizes for Linking Danes With His Breakfast Habits
President Reagan’s press spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater, apologized to Denmark on Friday for an earlier comment that offended some Danes.
At a White House press conference on Wednesday, Fitzwater was asked to comment on a Danish election measure to tighten curbs on U.S. ships taking nuclear arms into Danish ports.
“Danish means breakfast to me,” Fitzwater replied to laughter, in a reference to the sweet pastries that many Americans eat with their morning coffee.
Danish national radio broadcast Fitzwater’s comment, apparently causing some embarrassment to U.S. Embassy officials here at a time when the United States has attacked the Danish nuclear ballot measure as threatening the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s policy of deterrence.
In a statement issued Friday by the embassy, Fitzwater said, “I regret any offense that may have been taken by an offhand comment made on Wednesday, April 20 in response to a reporter’s question about Danish elections.
“It was not meant to reflect on Denmark in any way.”
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
