Conversation: 035-002
Prev:  035-001 Next: 035-003Start Date: 26-Dec-1972 4:36 PM
End Date: 26-Dec-1972 4:52 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.; Recording Device: White House Telephone
NARA Description:
On December 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 4:36 pm to 4:52 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-002 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 35-2 Date: December 26, 1972 Time: 4:36 pm - 4:52 pm Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Charles W. Colson. White House Staff's travel plans -Henry A. Kissinger -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman -Trip to West Coast -Working habits Public relations [PR] -Colson's conversation with Kissinger -Timing -The President’s conversation with Colson -The President’s conversation with Kissinger -Kissinger’s schedule -Palm Springs -John A. Scali and Kenneth W. Clawson -Ronald L. Ziegler -Gerald L. Warren -The President’s view -News stories -2- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. Oct.-07) Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d) -Harry S. Truman's funeral -Nicaragua earthquake -Vietnam War -Truman's funeral -Public exposure for the President -Scali and Clawson’s view -Public statements -December 26, 1972 -Documentaries on Truman’s life -Football -Rose Bowl -US activities -Weekend -Possible statements on Vietnam -Kissinger -William P. Rogers -Melvin R. Laird -Possible effect -Current developments -William E. Timmons -Congress -Possible actions -Current developments -Kissinger -Possible news events -Clawson and Scali’s view -Possible speech by the President -Timing -Event or development -Prisoners of War [POWs] wives -Network coverage -Tone -US bombing of North Vietnam -Explanation Vietnam War -US bombing of North Vietnam -Effects on North Vietnam -Adm. Thomas H. Moorer -Compared to May 8, 1972 mining, bombing -3- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. Oct.-07) Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d) -Targeting -Effects on civilians -Albert E. Sindlinger’s view -Explanation of US bombing -Possibilities -Negotiations by North Vietnam -Compared to the President’s June 1972 trip to the Soviet Union -The President’s May 8, 1972 -Reason -Cessation of bombing to release POWs -Popular support -The President’s view -Terms -US withdrawal -Future assistance of South Vietnam -Assistance of North Vietnam by its allies -Negotiations -The President’s view -End of war -Burden of decision making -Truman -Popularity -Compared to the President’s -1972 election -[Korean War] -Alger Hiss case -The President as Congressman -Korean War -Yalu River -Bombing John A. Scali -United Nations [UN] appointment -Reaction -Kissinger’s reaction -Ziegler -New York -Alleged leaks -Kissinger’s view -Nicholas P. Thimmesch -4- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. Oct.-07) Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d) -Colson -State Department -Support for the President -Loyalty to the President -Ability as ambassador -Compared to Henry Cabot Lodge -Compared to George H.W. Bush -Toughness -Policy stands -Loyalty to the President's policy -Vietnam War -US Relations with Nguyen Van Thieu -Alleged leaks -Loyalty to the President Kissinger -Meeting with Charles H. Percy -Colson’s schedule -Percy’s trip to Asia -Effect -Build up of Percy -Presidency -Louis P. Harris poll -Colson’s role Harris poll -News on Vietnam negotiations -The President’s view -Timing -Mailing -Press people -Colson -Content -Kissinger -The President's handling of Vietnam -Views of Kissinger as negotiator -Results -"Peace is at hand," comment [in October 26, 1972 press conference] -Intent -Effect -5- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. Oct.-07) Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d) -The President’s address to the Nation, “Look to the Future,” November 2, 1972 -Importance -The President’s relationship with Kissinger -Kissinger's identity outside of administration -Image -Lifestyle Kissinger -Thimmesch article -Kissinger’s reaction -Tone -Criticisms of Kissinger vis-a-vis the President -Joseph C. Kraft -Thomas W. Braden -Meeting with Percy -Duration -Haldeman -White House personnel policy -Colson’s telephone call to Kissinger’s office -Scali