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Conversation: 539-006

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Start Date: 19-Jul-1971 11:18 AM

End Date: 19-Jul-1971 11:37 AM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Kissinger, Henry A.Butterfield, Alexander P.[Unknown person(s)]

Recording Device: Oval Office

Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 01:03:50

Full Tape Conversation End Time: 01:23:31

539a.mp3

539b.mp3

NARA Description:

On July 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander P. Butterfield, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:18 am to 11:37 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 539-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 539-6

Date: July 19, 1971
Time: 11:18 am - 11:37 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     Meeting
          -Rogers C. B. Morton


******************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 55s ]


Henry A. Kissinger entered at 11:19 am


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

******************************************************************************
                                          5

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                 Tape Subject Log
                                   (rev. 10/08)



The US initiative towards the People’s Republic of China [PRC]
     -William P. Rogers’ role
           -Media coverage
           -Briefing book
     -Media coverage
           -The President’s role
           -Kissinger’s role
                 -Rogers                                            Conv. No. 539-6 (cont.)
                       -The State Department
     -Public perceptions
     -Newsweek article, Time article
           -Tone
                 -Presidential role
                       -Covers of magazines
                             -The President, Chou En-lai, Kissinger
     -Columnists
           -Hugh S. Sidey
     -Public statement by the Soviet ambassador to Indonesia
     -Briefing for White House staff
           -President’s role
           -Request for meeting
           -Kissinger’s role
           -Secrecy in negotiation
           -President’s role

Schedule
     -Kissinger

White House staff briefing
     -Leak of story
     -James B. (“Scotty”) Reston story

Meeting with Congressional leaders
     -J. William Fulbright
     -Rogers’ role
     -John C. Stennis’ comment to Kissinger
          -Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield
                -Mansfield Amendment
                -Rogers
                -Vietnam War settlement
                      -Release of prisoners of war [POWs], cease fire
                      -Self-determination
                                                 6

                             NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                        Tape Subject Log
                                          (rev. 10/08)




     Schedule
          -Kissinger

Kissinger left at 11:29 am

     David M. Kennedy
          -Use of airplane                                          Conv. No. 539-6 (cont.)
               -Payment
                     -Rogers
                     -State Department
               -Comparison with the President’s 1967 world travel

     John B. Connally
          -Schedule

     The President’s schedule
          -The Bohemian Grove
               -Possible visit

     Polls
             -George H. Gallup
                   -Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
                         -Comparison to Louis Harris’ poll
             -Presidential approval poll
                   -Effect of Pentagon Papers case
             -Gallup
                   -Poll results
                         -Potomac Associates
                               -John W. Gardner comparison
                               -Vietnam War settlement issue
             -Timing of polls
                   -News impact
                   -The President’s television appearance

     Cabinet
          -Support for administration
          -John A. Volpe
          -George W. Romney
          -Walter J. Hickel
                                              7

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. 10/08)



     Congress
         -Appropriations Committee
              -Scheduling

     Schedule
          -Clark R. Mollenhoff
               -Bureau Chief
          -Richard (“Dick”) Wilson                                   Conv. No. 539-6 (cont.)

     The PRC initiative
          -Kissinger
               -Rogers’ role
          -Media coverage
               -The President
               -Kissinger
                     -Newsweek


******************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 32s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

******************************************************************************


Alexander P. Butterfield entered at an unknown time after 11:29 am

     Schedule
          -Kissinger’s briefing in the Roosevelt Room

Butterfield left at an unknown time before 11:37 am

[Haldeman talked to an unknown person at an unknown time between 11:29 am and 11:37 am]

[Conversation No. 539-6A]

     Instructions for Kissinger
                                              8

                          NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                       (rev. 10/08)




[End of telephone conversation]

The President and Haldeman left at 11:37 am



                                                               Conv. No. 539-6 (cont.)