Conversation: 540-004
Prev:  540-003 Next: 540-005Start Date: 20-Jul-1971 7:53 AM
End Date: 20-Jul-1971 8:05 AM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; [Unknown person(s)]; Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:10:23
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 00:22:57
NARA Description:
On July 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 7:53 am to 8:05 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 540-004 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 540-4 Date: July 20, 1971 Time: 7:53 am - 8:05 am Location: Oval Office The President met with Henry A. Kissinger. US-People’s Republic of China [PRC] relations -Forthcoming briefing of Congressional leaders on US relations with PRC -Attendees -William P. Rogers -Tone -Kissinger -Calligraphy, notes -Need to maintain secrecy during negotiations -Pentagon Papers citation -Attendees -John G. Tower, Peter H. Dominick -Kissinger's forthcoming meeting with conservatives -Possible answer to questions about Taiwan [Republic of China] -Kissinger’s July 19, 1971 meeting with columnist -Hugh S. Sidey -Richard Wilson -Edward W. Carter 4 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) News headlines -Peking, China -PRC support of North Vietnam -US -Taiwan ********************************************************************** Conv. No. 540-4 (cont.) BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1 [National Security] [Duration: 38s ] TAIWAN END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1 ********************************************************************** -July 19, 1971 meeting with Congressional leaders -Newspaper and media coverage -James B. ("Scotty") Reston -Trip to the PRC -Hospitalization -Forthcoming meetings with conservatives -Kissinger's July 19, 1971 meeting with columnists -Kevin P. Phillips -Topics -Secrecy and confidentiality -Kissinger's forthcoming meetings with conservatives -Schedule -The President's schedule -Discussion of John B. Connally's situation -Senior Review Group -Unknown staff member Vietnam negotiations -Kissinger's forthcoming trip to Paris -Kissinger's forthcoming September 1971 trip to the PRC 5 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) An unknown man entered at an unknown time after 7:53 am. William P. Rogers The unknown man left at an unknown time before 8:05 am. Conv. No. 540-4 (cont.) Vietnam negotiations -Possibility of settlement -Prisoners of war [POWs] -Kissinger's possible itinerary -Presidential election campaign in South Vietnam -Possible US tactics -Ellsworth F. Bunker, Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. -Effect on Nguyen Van Thieu -Type of agreement -Revealing secret talks -Thieu The Soviet Union [USSR] -Possibility of summit meeting -Effect of PRC initiative -Kissinger's Conversation with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin -Alexander M. Haig, Jr. -Announcement -PRC trip -Timing Kissinger and the President left at 8:05 am.