Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 461 › Conversation 461-010

Nixon, Menemencioglu & Mosbacher on Pakistan political situation

Tuesday, March 2, 1971 · 12:07 PM–12:44 PM ET · Oval Office · 38 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Menemencioglu, Targut; Mosbacher, Emil, Jr. (Bus); Van Hollen, Christopher; Haig, Alexander M., Jr.; Burger, Warren E.; Dean, John W., III; Mitchell, John N.; Wright, Edward L.; Bull, Stephen B.Conversation461-010 on Tape 461 (tape position 01:20:45–01:59:03)StartTuesday, March 2, 1971 at 12:07 PMEndTuesday, March 2, 1971 at 12:44 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 461-010 ↗

President Nixon met with Turkish Ambassador Targut Menemencioglu, Emil Mosbacher, Christopher Van Hollen, and General Alexander Haig to discuss the volatile political situation in Pakistan, including the growing autonomy movement in East Pakistan and the role of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. They also touched upon Turkey's internal political climate, the strategic importance of CENTO, and the need for continued US support for Pakistan, particularly regarding military equipment. Later, Nixon conferred with Chief Justice Warren Burger, John Mitchell, and Edward Wright on judicial matters, including the National Courts Center proposal and the American Bar Association meeting in London.

  • Pakistan political situation
  • East Pakistan autonomy
  • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
  • US-Pakistan relations
  • CENTO
  • Turkey politics
  • Judicial reform
  • American Bar Association

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On March 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Targut Menemencioglu, Emil ("Bus") Mosbacher, Jr., Christopher Van Hollen, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Warren E. Burger, John W. Dean, III, John N. Mitchell, Edward L. Wright, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:07 pm to 12:44 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 461-010 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 461-10

Date: March 2, 1971
Time: 12:07 pm - 12:44 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Targut Menemencioglu, Emil (“Bus”) Mosbacher, Jr., Christopher Van
Hollen, and General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.; members of the press were present at the beginning
of the meeting

     Greetings

     Photograph arrangements

     Menemencioglu’s travels
         -Pakistan
         -Iran

[Unintelligible]

Pakistan
     -Situation
           -West and East Pakistan
                 -Military
     -Sheik Mujibar Rahman
           -Policies
                 -Nationalization
                 -East Pakistan
     -Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
           -Policies
           -Nusrat Ispahani Bhutto
                 -President’s previous visit to Pakistan
     -Future
           -Socialism
           -Menemencioglu’s view
                 -East Pakistan
                       -Rahman
                             -Popular support
                             -Policies
                       -East Pakistan compared to West Pakistan
                             -Compared to Turkey
                       -Potential conflict
                             -East Pakistan
                                    -Autonomy
     -East Pakistan
Show the rest of the log (202 more lines)
           -Trade
                 -India
                 -Stone, silk, coal
                 -India
     -People’s Republic of China [PRC]
     -Forthcoming Pakistani election
     -India
     -People
           -Differences between East and West Pakistan
     -Agha Muhommad Yahya Khan
     -Menemencioglu’s previous visit to India [?]
           -Hijacking, international law
           -Forthcoming Pakistani election
           -Meeting with an ambassador
           -United States’ policy

     -Menemencioglu’s conversations with Pakistanis
           -US policies
           -Pakistani policies
           -Assurances
     -Military equipment
           -Spare parts
     -Military situation
     -US position
           -Administration efforts
                 -Congress
           -President’s view
     -Leaders
           -Khan
     -Possible US response
     -Constitutional problem
           -Z. A. Bhutto
           -Differences from India and Turkey
           -Khan
     -Politicians
           -Forthcoming Pakistani election
           -Leftists
                 -Students
                 -Compared with US
     -Exchange of state visits

Turkey
     -Possible Presidential visit
     -President’s 1953 and 1956 visits
           -President’s view of Turkey
     -People
     -Political situation
     -Charles W. Colson
     -Intellectuals
           -Compared with US

Intellectuals
      -Theory of revolution
            -Genesis
      -Marxists
            -Methods
            -Latin America
      -Theory of revolution, change

     Central Treaty Organization [CENTO]
          -Purpose
                -US position
                      -Importance of cooperation
                -Menemencioglu’s view
                      -Cooperation
                      -Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi
                           -Menemencioglu’s previous visit
                           -Great Britain
                                 -Withdrawal from Near East
          -Strategic importance
                -Turkey
                -North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
                -Turkey, Iran, Pakistan
                -Pakistan
          -President’s position
                -US support
          -Purpose
          -President’s position
          -Expectations in US

     India, Pakistan
           -US public view
           -New York Times
           -President’s policy
                 -Pakistan
                      -Menemencioglu’s forthcoming conversation with Khan
                            -US support
                            -President’s view

     President’s schedule
          -Warren E. Burger
                -Law Day proclamation

     Turkey
          -People
               -Compared to Europeans

Burger entered at 12:30 pm

     Introductions

     Law Day proclamation

     Menemencioglu
         -Home town
             -Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon’s visit

     Gifts
     Farewells

Menemencioglu, Mosbacher, Van Hollen, and Haig left at 12:32 pm; John W. Dean, III entered
at 12:32 pm

     John N. Mitchell and Edward L. Wright
          -Location

Dean left at 12:32 pm

     [Forename unknown] Kennedy

     Judicial terms

     A vacation
          -Florida

     1967, 1968, and 1969 Judicial Terms
          -Federal, state courts

     Williamsburg
          -President’s schedule
          -Mitchell’s schedule

     National Courts Center
          -Proposal
          -Location
          -Purpose
               -Criminal cases
                     -State cases compared to federal cases
               -A case in California
               -Case in Connecticut
               -Case length
                     -Costs

                     -Compared to Great Britain
                     -President’s view

     Supreme Court
          -Burger’s efforts
          -Relations among Justices
          -Hugo L. Black, John M. Harlan
                -Health
                -Burger’s conversation with Mitchell and Herbert Brownell
     President’s schedule
          -Polls

     Supreme Court
          -Burger’s efforts
               -President’s view

Mitchell, Wright, and Dean entered at 12:37 pm

     Greetings

     President’s schedule
          -Meeting with Menemencioglu

     Judicial matters
          -Television
                -Wright’s appearance

     Williamsburg
          -Wright’s schedule

     American Bar Association meeting
         -President’s possible appearance
         -London
         -Dates
         -Invitation to President
         -New York
               -Burger’s State of the Judiciary address
               -Possible appearance by the President
                     -London
         -Dates

     Photographs for Law Day

Members of the press entered at an unknown time after 12:37 pm

     [Unintelligible]

Members of the press left at an unknown time before 12:43 pm

     Presidential gifts

An unknown man [Stephen B. Bull?] entered at 12:43 pm
Burger, Mitchell, Wright, and Dean left at 12:43 pm

     Ralph E. Ulmer
          -Federal job
          -Purpose of visit to the President

The unknown man [Bull?] left at an unknown time before 12:44 pm

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UnknownMr. President, it's nice to see you.
NixonAmbassador, how are you? So good to see you.
UnknownPress [unintelligible] photographs.
MosbacherI think this will be the best place, yes. Photographs over here. Now sit down.
NixonGood to see you. There's been photographs. Yes, I know. Yes, very helpful.
NixonWell, you've been on quite a bit of traveling, huh? From Pakistan?
MenemenciogluYes, I have all of the CENTO countries, Pakistan and Iran.
MenemenciogluAnd I have this [unintelligible]
Menemencioglu[unintelligible]
Menemencioglu[unintelligible]
Menemencioglu[unintelligible]
Menemencioglu[unintelligible]
Menemencioglu[unintelligible]
NixonHe has all of them problems to concentrate on that and then he's got to rather outline all of the problems. It's so sad, so sad.
MenemenciogluAnd he's a very important factor, of course, [unintelligible] the elections. I could see that the President is really sincere in his wish to pass over to the civilians as soon as possible the administration which normally [unintelligible]
Menemenciogluthe military would like to, would like to keep on.
MenemenciogluBut he's having his difficulties again because of the West Pakistani situation. More than
MenemenciogluBecause of Bhutto more than Mujibur Rahman. Bhutto is against that and when I was there he was making a lot of difficult bad statements.
MenemenciogluIn reality, although he talks about nationalization, he's not a leftist. Oh, he's an anti-leftist. For him, nationalization is easy to speak about because all of the big property in his particular part East Pakistan belong to those who are from West Pakistan.
MenemenciogluSo, it is a kind of nationalism not a leftism. But Bhutto is the rich boy with the, rich boy who plays the role of socialism and [unintelligible] very irresponsible statements.
MenemenciogluVery ambitious. And now that he sees that in the federal government, too, he cannot be Prime Minister.
NixonDoesn't his wife push him some, too? It's discussed that she's a very, you know, she's, she's ambitious. Do you remember?
MosbacherYes, of course, very good. [laughter]
NixonIranian. Well, I, I met her, he wasn't there when I was on one of my visits four or five years ago and she was there at a party at a house where we all were.
NixonI think she's
MenemenciogluShe's very ambitious, but so is he, and from his repeated activities I understand that about 60 or 62 are quite wealthy landowners or other wealthy people. He's the type of rich young man with a whiskey glass in one hand talking about socialism.
NixonIs that- and what- what- what do you think is going to happen there? Is it- is that going to come apart, is it the-
MenemenciogluWell, there is one thing: First, East Pakistan is very much united around Mujibur Rahman. It's extraordinary. There were also foreign journalists when I was there who had been inside the country and they said to me, they said, "In every village in every day,
Menemenciogluand you hear the same voice." It's very unified. It should be, for they are all behind Rahman, who is a very popular nationalist. He is extremist in many things, but more moderate
Menemenciogluthan Bhutto in some of his things. And they have, everything has come together, including even this great disaster, the cyclone, to give them this exaggerated martyr feeling, you see,
NixonYeah.
Menemenciogluthat they've been treated badly and all their money has gone to the West, and because the West is much more advanced in everything, 30% through something, the taxes which they pay, and so forth. In the West there has always been more like that.
NixonIt's faster than the other, like they do rather than that although it's still, but it's a very solve problems.
NixonThey are a softer, smaller people. It's like your people in your country are, are more vigorous people and the people in the south are, yes, it's just, I know they're, that's historically it's been, that it's a different race in East Pakistan.
MenemenciogluRight. But now it is a time of great emotion. They feel that they're now or they have passed, so I don't think it'll be easy for anyone to stop that. Something would have to be given to them.
MenemenciogluAnd, of course, some sort of economy would help. Yes, some autonomy, some advance towards autonomy will have to be given because the budget will be very much shared and
Menemencioglua lot of things could be helped otherwise. Now, the- there is, also there are interns because they want more trade with India, of course. Even to bring building materials it has to come, stones and things like that, they don't have any stones at all.
MenemenciogluBecause it's all silt that is accumulated thousands of years.
MenemenciogluAnd even that is brought by ship, building material. Coal, which is near by in India, very plentiful, so they are interested in more trade. But India made bad [unintelligible]
MenemenciogluChinese assisted activities. The pro-Chinese, Bhashani who do nothing in Pakistan,
Menemenciogluthey did not have the connections, they didn't really have the, in East Pakistan.
NixonBecause the Chinese are very intolerant to them, they had made, they had-
MenemenciogluThey were afraid before the election that they were able to because that is a part of the frontline with China, you see. They are not. But in India, they have.
MenemenciogluSome in this system the same part of India, that is to say the Bengal area.
NixonWell, they're the poorer part of the-, except for religion they're the same people. It's the, it's the worst, the worst inside big population problem of, of Calcutta and people die in the street and [unintelligible]. It's too bad, too bad.
MenemenciogluPakistan will have to suppress it and unfortunately they have a lot of problems for some time to come, but I'm sure that, sir, your administration
Menemencioglucould do something by-
NixonWell, we believe very much in Yahya. He's a good man. He's a temporary man, even to he says
MenemenciogluIt's not so. He might stay on because during this election he was so fair that even the opposition, which criticized him, they used to be his opposition.
NixonHe is a fair man, yes.
Menemenciogluit was it was a a nightmare in Turkey before similar happened in Pakistan and they were afraid that the Indians would march [unintelligible]
MenemenciogluThe Indians talk about the hijacking as a big thing. Whereas they thought it might be for the election, that Mrs. Indira Gandhi wants some cheap victory to show to the electors. But they were afraid that she might go so much forward that it would be difficult to retreat after the elections.
MenemenciogluSo, uh uh they were they complained so much that they had no news of their allies, especially of CENTO. That afternoon I went to see your ambassador, Mr. Farland, and the British high commissioner, who said that of course it was a matter of time,
Menemencioglubecause they had, particularly, I understood on the American side, it was a deep puzzle which had to be solved, and they were waiting for an answer. But they said that the next day they would go. Next day they went, the United States Ambassador and the British Ambassador went. But they didn't want any confrontation with the [unintelligible] the leftists
Menemenciogluon your side, and you did not want to add the United States elements to a conflict which is already quite evident and quite very much in. Probably the two would unite to throw stones against the Americans, so it's usually the devil, you know. But,
Menemenciogluuh when I told the Pakistanis that their ambassadors—your ambassador and the British High Commissioner—would come to visit them, and that they were interested and what they were worried, it soothed, gave them a an idea of breaking their isolation.
MenemenciogluSo I thought that the first thing, it is important to show, if possible, at this difficult time, some closeness of interest to Pakistan. And the second very important thing is, of course, the equipment.
MenemenciogluNow you're you are doing something, but uh I mean, 5 years have passed, and it is difficult to keep good equipment without spare parts. Now, some of their tanks don't even have the spare parts, some of the other things. Yeah.
MenemenciogluYou can see uh that they are cannibalizing, of course, the trucks, taking the carburetors from one, into the other, and radiators from another one. So that both armies were going down here, they got some some some equipment from China, some stuff from Russia, some 65 fight bombers,
Menemenciogluwhich is Chinese made, MiG-19s of the old type, guns Russian-made. Now they are buying from the US, but as an army, in '65, they were better equipped than the than the Indian army. Not quantitatively, of course. Quantitative, that's not— In quality, not quantity, about that time. They could defend themselves very well. But now they are in a very bad shape, and that's demoralizing.
MenemenciogluIf you could make a big uh if you could, despite the difficulties, I know, but if you could do, still, I know. We all know the difficulties here with Congress, Mr. President. But if something you could uh you could do something within those difficulties,
NixonWell, we have, as you know, moved on the uh objection objections in Congress and violent objections everywhere. We've moved on the spare-part problem. And uh we I feel I feel that uh whatever can be done to maintain Pakistan as a viable country is is is fairly important. They're a good, strong people.
NixonUh people like Yahya are are responsible leaders. And uh we intend to consider fairly this proposition at this time. It's tough. Yeah, it's what what what what the But at this time, of course, when they are at uh impasse because of the constitutional problems, so
MenemenciogluIt will take a very long time, Mr. President, but uh if things are settled, then it's good, but it's Pakistan [unintelligible] after that meets. But yet, you've you've seen and after my trip there, uh one you're what is on the spot, the orient is so different from us. You see, the he has told himself to Turkish diplomats, Yahya, "I have nothing against CENTO.
MenemenciogluThe only I'm committed now." Yeah. So something will have to be done. But what something is, nobody knows. And the timing, nobody knows. And Yahya himself said, "Don't listen to these politicians. They've promised so much that they won't be able to this his politicians are new, but they they don't know that
Menemenciogluin a campaign, we promise something. Afterwards, we have to be expect it. They they they promised the the moon instead of the sun and everything."
NixonYou know, politics very well. Like you told me in this brief conversation. Your analogy to the your description of all these rich young boys, you know, Marquis in one hand, the red flag in the other.
NixonIt's the tragedy of the world, isn't it? They don't know what they do. They they they really are putting a rope around their own necks. It's uh, similar in Turkey. You have some problems there. That the leftists that are from more wealthy from the more wealthy [unintelligible]
NixonJust like just like many of our more destructive leftists here. They are not from the poor families. They are from the richer families, or at least if not the rich, so much as the upper upper-middle class, or middle-middle class. And uh, so they uh they they have perhaps not too much to do, and they have no problems in terms of having to work to survive, and so
Nixonthey uh plan to follow the trail of [unintelligible]. With you say now that it's stupid to try some tricks, so you see it, huh? The girl with a miniskirt, and then the the the cost of much for her. Yeah. Different, but so expensive. How do you feel about Turkey? How is it I I have uh we as you know, we have been discussing the possibility of a visit,
Nixonand change. There have been reasons why it can't go on, and I think it's uh it's in October. Whenever Prime Minister, whenever the time is propitious, we are ready. But the point is that uh that uh Turkey is uh I had great admiration for it. I think I've been We're going back many years. I was there in '53. Yes. As I was, and we've seen
NixonI was Vice President, and I was there again on another occasion. I took a look, watched very closely the the courage down there. I know their problems.
MenemenciogluI know their many problems, too. The basis is uh sound. The greatest majority of uh [unintelligible] majority of Well, it's not not that the the greatest majority has still the old common sense and that uh the difficulty in Turkey is not with the workers or the [unintelligible] problems, or at all.
MenemenciogluThe workers are conservative. They've Most of the the majority trade unions have been trained by George Meany and Mr. Brown, so you know. Yeah. That particular me and me and house and here is uh he knows that business. And I was pleased because I knew that's one place where And they kept his principles. There is a splinter small ones.
NixonOf course, in all of these countries, they have those. But he is he has done a very good job there. The trouble in Turkey is with the so-called intellectuals, which is the assistant professors, the they are the [crosstalk] That's the same thing as we have here. That's, that, yeah.
MenemenciogluI think like, what that means, education really is, apparently, maybe not a good thing. And with us, uh not much not so many [unintelligible], but they don't know what to do. I have said uh ours with these, but you know throughout the world there is a myth, you know, a myth frankly that is taught in schools that revolutions come from the masses, the downtrodden masses.
NixonThey never do. Revolutions, and and and destructive revolutions, not the ones that uh that will basically build uh come almost squarely from uh the what what would you call the soft-headed intellectual, one who
Nixonone who thinks in terms of uh what one who cannot face up to the hard, right way of producing change. He will not mix up to it. He will not get in the ring, and politically try to accomplish his goals. And so, he throws up his hands, out of frustration. As a matter of fact, the intellectual tends to be
Nixonsomewhat feminine in his reaction. I don't say that in any derogation of femininity in its best sense. But he tends to be very emotional, uh, and uh, and and to to, to, uh
Nixonnot pragmatic at all, er and speaks in terms of sloganizing the rest and er emotional er with with reactions and have no, no allowance for the facts as they are. That's, and that's true- what's true here, it's true all over the world, and it's been true throughout history.
MenemenciogluHistory not answered the day, Mr. President. It is the action of this.
NixonWe can We can safely say it's true of of our of our Marxists er I mean the old Marxism, Marxist. [laughter] It's they had a plan. They had a program, and, in a violent, pragmatic,
Nixonruthless way, they went out to put it across. The modern intellectual has no plan. I mean he's he's a pure seeker after power, and will not go through the system. Would you agree with this part?
MenemenciogluYou know that it is exactly what it would be. It's an iron thing until it was taken to [unintelligible]
NixonAnd in that process, I mean, you can respect anybody that wants to change the system and, as a matter of fact, you can respect respect somebody that wants to change the system through violent means, er I mean like the old, the old true fascist, terrorist. And I er [chuckle] in other words, that they're very hell-bent on destruction. And, er,
Nixonbut er well, we have the same problem. Let me say, as far as CENTO is concerned, now you've been here a little bit longer than the year we honor. Do you believe that it serves a useful purpose er in terms of cooperation between these three countries? So what do you think it has done?
MenemenciogluI think it does, not for the commitments, which are unsettled or practically non-aligned.
NixonNone.
MenemenciogluNot for the kinds of meetings that we have, it is not, but this er er being close together, and the umbrella, which- I am using the word used by the Shah of Iran when I saw him 10 days ago. He said, "The umbrella of CENTO is very useful to me,"
NixonYes.
Menemencioglu"because now that the British are withdrawing from the, these small sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf, if he wants to have any kind of presence, whether British or the United States, he can ask under CENTO to have some little naval exercise."
NixonYeah.
MenemenciogluSo, for that, this CENTO umbrella is is helpful now and then, for. And then this idea of being allies
NixonRight.
Menemenciogluhelps.
NixonWell, you have Turkey, Iran, it will help to mold the er
MenemenciogluTurkey has NATO, also. And they-
NixonTurkey Turkey's got its southern edge in NATO's, in Western's. But it also But Turkey is the country that straddles the two, doesn't it?
MenemenciogluFor us, the main interest, yes, Mr. President, is to keep the others in good company, to keep Iran and Pakistan. For Iran it is vital.
NixonYeah, because you're stronger than any of the others. You have a greater, more free, strong government. Well, we er we, you certainly have I assure you of our personal support and we realize how much of it is has more to do with the the moral factor.
NixonCall it an umbrella, cosmetics, but after all cosmetics can be very important.
MenemenciogluYes.
NixonYou You You You show me the the the woman without cosmetics and, she's passed by in the street. At least they've got to pay attention to her if she has them. Very fact, it's more than cosmetics, too, because of the of the leagues for the casing B.
NixonAnd these And these consultations are just important. That's, that we keep that we have methods of and additional lines of communication between Turkey, and, Pakistan, and er Pakistan is terribly important. There is no way we can keep it in,
Menemencioglu[unintelligible]
Nixonthat's that's a problem, isn't it? Whether it's whether it can be done.
MenemenciogluI think it can. Yes.
NixonWell, there I'm absolutely committed to that. I think it is very important. I am not one of these, and there are some among our foreign policy observers, who believe that er Pakistan inevitably is going to come apart.
MenemenciogluMm-hmm.
NixonAs a matter of fact, they're probably wishing it. They're wishing it, because, you know, there is a phobia in intellectual circles in this country that everything that India does is good and everything Pakistan does is bad. I do not agree with that.
MenemenciogluThat is, I noticed, yeah.
NixonI cannot, when you read the New York Times and some of our papers, it is not true. I know the people of both. I respect the people of both of them. Both have a right to survive, and survive in their own way, and that's why I've reversed
Nixonyou know, I had to reverse the previous policy and even this fall, after we got the package sent in, we're going to continue to to be as generous as we can.
MenemenciogluThat's very good news, Mr. President. And they are, too. So, that,
NixonGood. And I hope you communicate to personally to Yahya, because he knows he knows how how strongly personally I feel, and I know his problems are enormous, but
MenemenciogluI see.
Nixonwe don't want to hurt him, and we want to help him if we can. Can we how we can, it's difficult for reasons you well know.
NixonChief Justice is coming in, and who'd like to say hello to you. Do you know that Chief- our Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? He's a very nice- Yeah, we're having a family. He's coming in, we're having our Law Day announcement today.
MenemenciogluYeah.
Nixonone day to visit your country, yeah.
MenemenciogluIt's also civilized.
NixonI think, that is one of the most stirring impressions to know about your people. I know in Turkey, when one travels around the Arab, and you see your people, you know, Europe they are, the Germans [unintelligible]
MenemenciogluThere are so second best. It's true that the-
Nixonall why? Wanted them to stay that way, so we're [unintelligible]. All right. How are you, Mr. Chief? Our Chief Justice, how do you do sir? Very happy to see you. We're here for our Law Day announcement today,
Burger[unintelligible]
Nixonand Secretary. He's toured the other CENTO countries and er from the wholly international figure, but basically, he's from Turkey. Have you ever been, Mr. Chief Justice?
BurgerNo.
BurgerI know Istanbul, er no, I've never been there in my life.
MenemenciogluOh, that is like going to Washington. You know that it is modern. It's what is left of the-
Burger[unintelligible] and tell you that nobody that has travelled there often very well.
NixonA little drink if you would like something. Are you a golfer, er?
BurgerI'm terribly [unintelligible]
NixonYou start.
BurgerWell, a friend gave me golf balls [unintelligible] golf four or 500, so I gave it to somebody [unintelligible]
NixonTake him out to the press. You know John?
BurgerThey're right- They're right outside the door.
NixonOh, yes. Yes, how's your bed? Oh, I'm keeping I'm keeping that bed. How's the back feeling? Good?
BurgerWell, damn good, damn good. They called it Kennedy [unintelligible] He said, "Now, look at these X-rays." He says, "I've never seen the back of a life that so," he says, "Hell, you just stay on it, and it'll bust through and you're all right."
BurgerI almost fell out of those most [unintelligible] I'd had about five years [unintelligible]
BurgerIt's very good. You didn't want to work, anyway. You wore set- wore seven to eight days in traction.
NixonOh, traction. I was in traction once for 10 days, and it almost killed me. And I was four or five weeks on crutches.
BurgerWell, I see you're [unintelligible] I'll I'll see the- you're doing the court disease thing today.
Nixon[unintelligible] today.
BurgerI'm trying to hold the plans up on the other one.
NixonYeah. What?
BurgerWell, I have the conference this evening. Our friend told this told without commenting that er the er that they're not going to cross to your views, Mr. President.
NixonYeah.
BurgerI got the 3rd Circuit to agree to this. They've been 2 1/2 they're in 67, 68 to 67 term and '68 term and '69 term, and finally, I think we have that federal court problem and more powers for the States.
NixonSure.
BurgerThat's the safe word.
NixonWe're going down to Williamsburg, you know. Er they say that you're on the L&P camp. He said, and that is going to be the way we deal, tell the justices to get in on.
Burger[unintelligible]
NixonThey at the you know, I pick, make that four-point, er you may have to just state New York and Johnson [unintelligible] which is amazing.
BurgerI indicated outside that I had a proposal to announce sometime in the fall. I'm talking about for years some form of national center to serve all the states on everything relating to the administration of justice as we have a federal judicial center here in Washington.
BurgerWell, one thing that we've got to do, we've got to do something to speed up criminal justice in this country. We know, I mean the people are getting outraged. State and federal, the system might just as well hire a [unintelligible] state level, that's it. You know the federal thing is not, you know, the problem is state level.
BurgerLook at that, look at that [unintelligible] case out in California. That thing has gone on, and it's been a disgrace. Look in Connecticut with those crazy, in Hartford. It's costing a million dollars already for the prosecution. And in Britain it takes six weeks maximum. And three weeks would be the deal. Now, they're they've got to be, and I think your leadership here is so important.
BurgerThey pick a jury in no time. And I'm going to, I'll do What a little bit of preparation You don't have to get in the middle of that fight, but I think you can encourage Not too much. All I can do, I'm a bull without hands, but I think you can.
NixonYou know, the way you could do it is to say, "It is It is without of course uh trying to apply to them it it has been noted that in a country where which had a how which had a proud tradition, you know, of respect for the rights of the accused,
Nixonthey do this. We do not suggest we can do this, but maybe we can take a page from their [unintelligible] try to do it." Yeah.
BurgerYeah. The uh How's the situation with regard to your the your colleagues and so forth? How's the I saw that Blackmun had an article on his 85th. You know, Mr. Justice Harlan sees uh I'm not saying anything about it. I have all your good [crosstalk] That's a good mention.
BurgerWell, I'm just astonished he's just another fabulous old man. 60 feet and partly blind. Yeah. Looks that way. And the same with all of them, you know? Black would prefer to throw all of them out.
BurgerThe purpose of to remind you that John and our law clerk trying to John Mitchell while I'm here call now. Purpose is to see if we can have See if John gives you plenty to vote for. Of course, I'll ask him.
BurgerJohn's a good man, but strengths and ponies are not [unintelligible]. All right, and I've got these other people here, Ed, and but you like what you do, and that's the most important thing.
BurgerOh, it's better than what I was doing. I'm not so frustrated now. I can do something about it. As Disraeli says, "You're at the top of the greasy pole." And so it's a little harder to stay [unintelligible] up there. Well, we're we're Everybody's arms are around it.
BurgerThey don't get the heat from this side and that side that they do. You're right. Till 9:00 on Sunday night.
WrightHi.
BurgerHey, Ed. How are you? Good to see you. Good to see you. I'm sorry that the Chief Justice and I helped you out. I know we did this year, but uh you were a president then, were you? We uh
WrightWe have the Secretary General send us something all the best. See anybody else at all? You do? [unintelligible] our traditions, you think we should keep them? Um
WrightI do. You take pretty much care of all of them, don't you? All you have to do is see if there's any room to walk to, right? I'm on record, Mr. President, before several million witnesses. I've been on live television, and that's [crosstalk] best available right by that.
NixonTops.
BurgerTops.
NixonWell, you know, I was saying, that they tell us, you know, you can get You can't beat them, you know. Are you by any chance going to be at Williamsburg? No, John, I'm not. You know, I have a conflict that keeps
NixonAh, shame. It's on our hit parade, you know. I ought to go. I was thinking that one time I ought to do the bar, American Bar, but I I haven't been in You know, this year, I guess. We would kindly come to London. It's going to be crowded this year. July 14th?
WrightThis part of July, what time of the year? July 14th to 20th. But, uh, That would be neat. this isn't the time to talk about it, and I'm not going to. There is a formal invitation to you, already from the White House, it's just going to be [laughter] Open season to try.
NixonThe president she does. Tell them yes, and they might want me to come July 14th. No, sir. July the 7th. They had to come alive with it.
WrightWell, unless he comes to New York, he'd be most welcome in London. We thought with your visit there last year that that would be asking too much of you, if you could come. London? Why, you mean the American Bar's going to meet in London? We meet in New York first, and then we move to London.
WrightChief Justice is making his "State of the Judiciary" message in New York. He also is giving a major, formal address to the Lord Chief Justice, dinner, and we change in London. My closest friend in England is the Lord Chief Justice [crosstalk] Widgery. Of course, the Attorney General is speaking, and the Chief Justice [crosstalk] spoke.
NixonLook, we'll consider the one or the other, because that, taking mine, and just fit in with some other, something else like that. Superb. I could fit it a little better into New York, I imagine. So we'll see.
WrightI think, perhaps, you should read the letter as amended. Uh, the dates are July 14th to 20th. 16 to 19, July 16 to 19 in London. Mr. President, they've got custom of signed autographs of a large decal on it.
NixonI want to sign it, sir. All right. When did Bill get it? All right. And we'll send this on properly, with protocol, to give him a guest status. All right, I'll sign it with three pens. [laughter]
NixonSecond.
Burger[unintelligible]
Unknown[unintelligible]
Unknown[unintelligible]
Unknown[unintelligible]
WrightIt's a lawyer's trademark, Ed. That's right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. President. It is great to see you again.
NixonGood to see you, Ed.
WrightThank you.
NixonYes, sir. One of those things I I could fly [unintelligible] like a hot [unintelligible] that would be fine. [unintelligible] We'll see. You always tell him to call my [unintelligible] whenever he wants. Yeah. [unintelligible]
NixonHey, did you get a cup for his kids? [unintelligible] That's all. This is it. That we went through all that, and when we wanted, they call for bowls and plates and trays, you know, the whole thing. Appreciate it. Fine. We really appreciate your good straight answers. Fine, thank you.
BurgerGood to see you.
NixonAll right.
DeanMr. President, to give you just a quick background, the Attorney General is a former member of a what is in his mind is emotion in NASA. Actually, his job was what is a GS-17 to 15. He's just making a nuisance of himself. Well, who is it? We- we talk about
BullMr. President, may I bring in the [unintelligible] friends for only uh like they did last night, for 2 and 1/2 minutes. Well, why are they coming in? Well, just to just to say hello as old friends and neighbors. You ask them uh It's very fast, and Carl's here, now.
NixonCarl?
  • 461-006 11:56 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:56 am and 11:59 am.
  • 461-007 11:59 AM · 3 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at 11:59 am.
  • 461-008 11:59 AM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:59 am and 12:01 pm.
  • 461-009 12:01 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:01 pm to 12:06 pm.
  • 049-002 12:44 PM · 11 min — unknown person(s) met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 12:44 pm and 1:07 pm.
  • 461-011 12:44 PM · 9 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Ralph E. Ulmer, Mrs. Ralph E. Ulmer, Gary Ulmer, Tana Ulmer, Roger E. Johnson, David N. Parker, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:44 pm and 12:55 pm.
  • 461-012 12:53 PM · 14 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Peter Heltemes, Jack Heltemes, Mrs. Jack Heltemes, Jack Heltemes, Jr., Holly Heltemes, Robert J. Dole, Robert Young, Mrs. Robert Young, David N. Parker, and George Bill met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:53 pm and 1:07 pm.
  • 049-008 1:07 PM · 52 sec — Unknown person(s) met in the Cabinet Room of the White House on an unknown date, sometime between 1:07 pm on March 2, 1971 and 8:32 am on March 8, 1971.

Conversation 461-010, March 2, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/461-010 (accessed November 1, 2026).