Word: down-playing
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...week's end, however, most Western governments were attempting to down-play the event. "I think it's spring in Russia as well as in the U.S.," Reagan said, "and that's when you have war games and maneuvers." According to the President, the Soviet exercises were "regular and routine" and did not constitute any sort of political signal to the West. But he added a bit ruefully that NATO always advises Moscow in advance of its own war games, and he wished the Soviets would return the courtesy. "We always tell them when...
...development that could help mollify the military, the U.S. certified that Argentina had shown improvement in dealing with human rights, citing the elections and a virtual end to the "disappearances." The certification lifts an arms-sale ban that dates back to 1978. However, Alfonsin has sought to down-play the shift, noting that his plans to cut the military budget will leave no room for additional arms purchases. Britain, which had opposed certification following its war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, reacted with restraint to the decision. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher even sent Alfonsin a congratulatory message...
...before top-level policy committees or is discussed with Congress. No exception was made with the Central American exercises, despite the fact that their purpose and nature, in particular the massing of ships off one country, clearly would inspire international concern. At his news conference, however, Reagan tried to down-play their significance. He asserted: "I don't know the number of ships involved...
After the stock controversy blew up, embarrassed Chrysler officials quickly tried to down-play the whole episode. Said one: "It's a messy issue. We are not being shrill or overreaching. But there you are with the spotlight on, your hand's in the cookie jar and everybody's pointing fingers." Late in the week the company announced that it was no longer requesting that the Government drop its right to buy the stock...
President Reagan was caught off guard by the news from Amman, but he tried to down-play its significance. After telephoning King Hussein as well as King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Reagan declared that he was still "very hopeful" that his peace plan could remain the basis of future negotiations. Two days later, blaming the breakdown of the Amman talks on "radical elements" of the P.L.O., the President called on the Palestinian leadership to make "a bold and courageous move to break the [prevailing] deadlock." Added Reagan: "We will not permit the forces of violence and terror to exercise...