NAMES IN THE NEWS : Nancy Reagan Defends Trip

Nancy Reagan is surprised by the criticism resulting from her memoirs and the money-making trip she and former President Ronald Reagan made to Japan. The former First Lady says the Japan trip, which brought the Reagans $2 million and accusations of trading on the prestige of the presidency, was good for international relations. “He did a lot more than two 20-minute speeches,� she told UPI White House reporter Helen Thomas.

“(He) was really doing something for the country. I really worked too. I set up a whole drug program in Japan . . . a ‘Just Say No’ program.� Nancy Reagan also indicated that her book hasn’t been fairly received. “It’s very important that the people read the whole book . . . and get a feeling for my whole life and not just pick out the buzz points,� she said.

In other news, the Reagans have seen daughter Patti Davis three times since returning from Japan, meaning a thaw in their estrangement could be brewing.