Fitzwater Apologizes for Linking Danes With His Breakfast Habits
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COPENHAGEN — President Reagan’s press spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater, apologized to Denmark on Friday for an earlier comment that offended some Danes.
At a White House press conference on Wednesday, Fitzwater was asked to comment on a Danish election measure to tighten curbs on U.S. ships taking nuclear arms into Danish ports.
“Danish means breakfast to me,” Fitzwater replied to laughter, in a reference to the sweet pastries that many Americans eat with their morning coffee.
Danish national radio broadcast Fitzwater’s comment, apparently causing some embarrassment to U.S. Embassy officials here at a time when the United States has attacked the Danish nuclear ballot measure as threatening the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s policy of deterrence.
In a statement issued Friday by the embassy, Fitzwater said, “I regret any offense that may have been taken by an offhand comment made on Wednesday, April 20 in response to a reporter’s question about Danish elections.
“It was not meant to reflect on Denmark in any way.”
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