WASHINGTON -- With a kiss from country singer Tammy Wynette, President Reagan used a political speech in the heart of the Deep South to sharpen his rhetorical stand against communism in Central America.
Reagan returned to Washington late Monday from a brief trip to Mississippi, where he denounced opponents of his budget proposals and foreign policy, critics of his military buildup and the 'liberal element' in Congress.
Only hours earlier, Reagan received an update on Central America from his special envoy, Richard Stone, who just concluded a 12-day tour of the region. He also was to discuss it today with Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzales.
In comments aimed at Congress, which has balked at providing his full aid request for El Salvador, Reagan declared: 'We cannot permit the Soviet-Cuban-Nicaraguan axis to take over Central America.'
Although Reagan had little new to say, he sought to lay out in starker terms the consequences of not providing El Salvador and other U.S.-backed regimes with the assistance they need to resist insurgency supported by Nicaragua, Cuba and the Soviet Union.
'We must not listen to those who would disarm our friends and allow Central America to be turned into a string of anti-American, Marxist dictatorships,' Reagan said. 'The result could be a tidal wave of refugees -- and this time they'll be feet people, and not boat people - swarming into our country, seeking a safe haven from communist repression to our south.'
Reagan has been under pressure from some circles to make clear his determination to resist leftist insurgency in Central America. His aides have been reluctant to have him go as far as some members of Congresshave asked, concerned it would intensify fears that U.S. combat troops might be used.
Gen. Edward Meyer, outgoing Army chief of staff, said on the NBC 'Today' program today that the American people 'have to understand that what happens in Central America is going to affect our future, our children's future and our grandchildren's future and we have to be able to explain this.'
But Meyer added, 'I do not believe it's been clearly communicated to the American people ... if soldiers are to be sent there without the support of the American people, that would be a mistake.'
Reagan did not mention direct U.S. involvement, but said the United States 'must have the will to meet the challenges of an adversary who is constantly testing our resolve to defend our national interests, and this is expactly what is happening in Central America.'
The two-hour visit to Jackson helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Mississippi Republicans, who while fiercely outnumbered see a chance this year to elect the state's first GOP governor since Reconstruction.
It was not all rhetoric and hand-shaking, however. Miss Wynette sang her hit 'Stand By Your Man,' flanked by Reagan and the male-dominated state GOP hierachy.
She brought the song to a finish with her arm around the president's waist and head against his shoulder. Reagan managed only a sheepish grin as the singer, who performed last year at the White House, kissed him on the cheek and said, 'You're so wonderful.'
It was the first time Reagan had visited Mississippi as president. The trip came on the heels of a pilgrimage by top civil rights enforcer, William Branford Reynolds.
Only Sunday, federal registrars had left the area after spending four days overseeing the registration of black voters in six counties singled out Reynolds.
