Inside Report (2)

US Ambassador to Mexico John Gavin isn't off to the same smooth start with the press that his friend, President Reagan, is. Gavin opened a recent luncheon in San Diego by roundly criticizing US reporters stationed in Mexico City. Using words like "deceitful," he accused them of leaking information from an off-the-record briefing to the Mexican press. The speech was covered by reporters from numerous prominent papers and newsmagazines, many of whom left the session grumbling about the vehemence of the ambassador's tone.

Reagan's naming of Gavin to the sensitive diplomatic post has been controversial from the start -- especially with Mexicans who feel that a former movie actor hardly qualifies as a seri ous appointment.m