European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 23, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 the stars and stripes saturday. April 23.1988 Reagan enjoys some laughs with the press Washington api Reagan joked about hoots by a aides and his own menu faculties but grew serious in his Farewell 1o Ilic while House press corps when he Mcd to his seven years of friction with the Media. What i Hope my epitaph will be with the White House correspondents what every president s epitaph should be is he gave As Good As he  Rea Gan told tic White House correspondents association dinner on thursday. That i think makes for a healthy press and a healthy presidency he said in his seventh and last appearance at he dinner an annual affair where reporters and Public officials set aside hostilities for a night and Toast each other alongside invited celebrities. Reagan his wife Nancy scaled beside him also noted the juror Over recent Crit ical Book by longtime aides such As for Mer presidential spokesman laity speak and former Deputy while House chief of staff Michael Deaver. This looks like the Index to Larry Scakes  said Reagan As he looked Oul Over the crowd. Speakes had accepted an invitation to the dinner from the Washington Post but withdrew last week in the Wake of stories about his Book even White House chief of staff Howard Baker ii writing a Book. It s going to be called three by five the measure of a  he said refer ring to his use of Index cards in meetings. Mike Driver said 1 have a Short attention Span he said. I was going to reply to that but what the hell Lei s move on to something  and joking about he frequent complaints that he does not hold enough meetings with the press he said the presidential Campaign has left him feeling a Little  with everyone following the presidential Campaign. I be been feeling a Little bit lonely. I be been so desperate for attention i almost considered hold ing a news conference Reagan said drawing his biggest laugh from the re porters. Me got a More sober reaction when he noted the Media criticism of his administration. Every president will try to use the press to his Best advantage he said but the press is not a weak sister that needs bracing. The press can Lake care of itself and a president should be Able to Lake care of Himsel fas Well in keeping with the cease fire spirit of the evening Reagan applauded and Shook hands with seven reporter who got awards for while House coverage that included several articles about problems in his administration in