Informal Exchange With Reporters on the Demolition of the New United States Embassy in Moscow

October 27, 1988

Q. Mr. President, have you decided to tear down our Embassy in Moscow? Have you decided to tear down our Embassy in Moscow?

The President. Yes.

Q. Why?

The President. Because there's no way to rid it of the many listening devices that have been built into it. So, we're going to start and have an American-built one.

Q. Where are we going to get the money?

The President. We have to do it. We have no choice.

Q. Where are we going to get the money?

The President. We take it away from something else.

Note: The exchange began at 9 a.m. at the South Portico of the White House, prior to the President's departure for Little Rock, AR.