Conversation: 874-012
Prev: 874-011 Next: 874-013Start Date: 9-Mar-1973 12:43 PM
End Date: 9-Mar-1973 12:56 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Scowcroft, Brent G. (Gen.); Irwin, John N., II;Recording Device: Oval Office
NARA Description:
On March 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, and John N. Irwin, II met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:43 pm and 12:56 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 874-012 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 874-12
Date: March 9, 1973
Time: Unknown between 12:43 pm and 12:56 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with John N. Irwin, II and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft; members of the Press and
White House photographer were present at the beginning of the meeting.
Greetings
Irwin’s departure
Residence for US ambassador in France
-Irwin's predecessor
-Arthur K. Watson
Irwin's schedule
-Children
-Vacation
US-French relations
-Irwin's role
-Talks with Georges J. R. Pompidou
-Importance of US-France relations
-Irwin's selections as ambassador
-Criteria
-Foreign policy experience
-Political appointment
-President's relation with Pompidou
-Pompidou
-Private talks
-Edward R. G. Heath
-14-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-2010)
Conversation No. 874-12 (cont’d)
-Great Britain-US relations
-France’s sensitivity
-France’s role in world
-Expansion
-President's talks with Pompidou
-Subjects
-Monetary policy
-East-West relations
-Union of Soviet Socialists Republics [USSR]
-France’s civil service
-Quality
-Compared to Great Britain
-Cooperation with US
-Personal relations with Pompidou
-Role of France in world
-Compared to World War I era
-Economic compared to military cooperation
-European Economic Community [EEC]
-North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
-Economic confrontation with Europe
-Impact on NATO
-Competition
-Consultation
-Europe, US, Japan
-Great Britain
-Japan’s role
-Post-Vietnam War settlement opportunities
-France’s role
-USSR
-Communists
-US relations
-NATO
-“Year of Europe”
-US breakthrough with USSR, PRC
-Appeal to France’s world role
-Compared to bilateral relations
-Pompidou
-Leadership
-Election
-15-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-2010)
Conversation No. 874-12 (cont’d)
-Impact
-World leadership
-Work with President
-France role in the world
-Africa
-US relations with USSR
-Irwin’s role
-Consultation with Henry A. Kissinger
-Nuclear cooperation
-Congress
-US bureaucracy
-President’s disagreement
-Trust of Great Britain, France
-Military compared to economic cooperation
-Respect
-Pompidou
-Gen. Charles A. J. M. De Gaulle
-Pompidou
-Claude Pompidou
-Ambassadors from US
-Importance of post
-William C. Bullit, David K. E. Bruce
-C. Douglas Dillon, Charles E. Bohlen, Amory Houghton
-President’s meeting with Dillon
President's visit to France
-France’s invitation
-Congressional relations
-Forthcoming US-USSR summit
-President’s reception
French food
-Bread
Irwin and Scowcroft left at 12:56 pm.
-16-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-2010)
Conversation No. 874-13 (cont’d)