Reagan Drops by ABC Affiliates Meeting to Chat

Former President Ronald Reagan made a surprise appearance Wednesday afternoon at the annual meeting of ABC affiliates in Century City.

Before a packed ballroom of about 1,000 at the Century Plaza, Reagan sat on stage with celebrity interviewer Barbara Walters for an impromptu chat that ranged from the upheaval in Eastern Europe to Reagan’s views on Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev.

Of the latter, Reagan said, “From the first time I met him, I felt he was different from all his other predecessors. We could debate and argue and discuss--all the things that go on in the meetings--but when the meeting was over, we could walk out of the room arm and arm together.”

Reagan also discussed his private talk last week with Gorbachev during the Soviet president’s U.S. visit. Reagan said he told Gorbachev that the Baltic controversy could be resolved by gradually allowing Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to have national independence.

Their talks, however, were limited, Reagan said. “The meeting was terminated before we got to all the things we wanted to talk about.”

Reagan’s unexpected visit was preceded by a panel discussion among ABC news stars Peter Jennings, David Brinkley, Ted Koppel, Sam Donaldson and Walters. Diane Sawyer appeared live via satellite from New York.

A satellite hookup also featured the co-hosts of “Good Morning America,” which has passed NBC’s “Today” show as the country’s No. 1 morning program. The show’s Charles Gibson said he wasn’t the slightest bit worried about “Today” rehiring former host Joe Garagiola.

“They had to do something,” Gibson said. “But I don’t think Garagiola is going to make any difference.”