Feisty Competition for Media Spotlight : First Ladies in ‘Mexican Standoff’

Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev dropped all pretense of a hand-holding friendship today in a feisty competition for the spotlight that Mrs. Reagan called a “Mexican standoff.”

President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev traded generous comments as their fourth summit drew to a close, but their wives managed to erase within minutes the image of a warm relationship they had tried to portray earlier in the week.

Although the two women maintained the appearance of cordiality during a tour of an icon storage vault, their contest for the spotlight was the toughest of any of their get-togethers since they met in Geneva in 1985.

‘Want to Say Something’

“I want to say something. I want to say something now, OK?” Mrs. Reagan cut in at sharply one point as Mrs. Gorbachev attempted to stop reporters from questioning the American First Lady.

Mrs. Gorbachev backed away, but pointedly looked at her watch as the First Lady chatted with members of the White House press corps.

The incident recalled a similar one during the December summit in Washington, when Mrs. Gorbachev frequently offered comments about history, art and political life as Mrs. Reagan attempted to get in a few words.

During today’s session with reporters, Mrs. Reagan laughed at the maneuvering that had just occurred, shrugged and declared, “A Mexican standoff.”

Later, the First Lady’s press secretary, Elaine Crispen, said of the two women, “They are from two totally different worlds.”

Noting that Mrs. Reagan has spoken out more in Moscow than she did at the Washington summit, Crispen said she believed they now had “more balance” and equality in their relationship.

Closed for Renovation

Mrs. Reagan had requested a viewing of the famed icons at the Tretyakov Gallery, which houses the finest collection of Russian art in the world. The museum has been closed for renovation since 1986.

Instead of meeting Mrs. Reagan as planned by the outside door of the gallery, Mrs. Gorbachev had come to the special vault where they were to view the art and informed the waiting press corps that they could have “a dialogue” about the masterpieces of medieval icon painting.

“The guests are late,” she noted.

Mrs. Gorbachev then expounded on the 12th- and 13th-Century works, quoting the great Russian author Feodor Dostoevsky as she pointed to the “Virgin of Vladimir,” which is revered as having saved Moscow from the Tartars.

After Mrs. Reagan arrived and the two women shook hands, Mrs. Gorbachev presented her with a bouquet of pink roses and a large book of pictures from the gallery.

She also presented reporters with a copy of the same book, proposing that they give it to “whoever has covered the summit best.”

Raised Eyebrows

Mrs. Reagan raised her eyebrows in a look of mild consternation. She then stepped forward, insisting that she had something she wanted to say.

She thanked Mrs. Gorbachev and the gallery staff and said she was aware that few people were granted a chance to view rare icon collection.

When reporters then tried to question the two women, Mrs. Gorbachev tried again to get the tour under way, saying, “We have decided there would not be any interviews.”

But journalists pressed Mrs. Reagan to respond, telling her that she should have “equal time” with the Soviet First Lady. Upon realizing that Mrs. Gorbachev had spoken at length with reporters before she arrived, a broad smile crossed Mrs. Reagan’s face and she plunged into her own dialogue.

Retreated to Background

Mrs. Gorbachev then retreated to the background.

Told that Mrs. Gorbachev had not mentioned the icons’ religious heritage, Mrs. Reagan responded: “I don’t know how you can neglect the religious implications. I mean they are there, when you see them.”

Asked if she had become a convert to communism during her trip, the First Lady laughed heartily, saying, “Oh, no,” adding that the Soviets were not ready to convert to capitalism either.

“We have two different ways of living, two different philosophies,” she said.