Conversation: 890-008
Prev:  890-007 Next: 890-009Start Date: 30-Mar-1973 8:50 AM
End Date: 30-Mar-1973 11:18 AM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.; Shultz, George P.; Sonnenfeldt, Helmut ("Hal"); Ehrlichman, John D.; [Unknown person(s)]; Recording Device: Oval Office
NARA Description:
On March 30, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, George P. Shultz, Helmut ("Hal") Sonnenfeldt, John D. Ehrlichman, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:50 am and 11:18 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 890-008 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 890-8 Date: March 30, 1973 Time: Unknown between 8:50 am and 10:18 am Location: Oval Office The President met with Stephen B. Bull. Rose Mary Woods -Schedule George P. Shultz, Helmut (“Hal”) Sonnenfeldt and John D. Ehrlichman entered and Bull left at 9:07 am. President's speech -March 29, 1973 Ehrlichman -Conversation with Ronald L. Zielger -Report for President -5- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Proposed changes -President’s meeting with state legislators An unknown woman entered at an unknown time after 9:07 am. Private file -Woods The unknown woman left at an unknown time before 10:18 am. International economics -Henry A. Kissinger -Briefing by Shultz -Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] and European summits -Importance of economics -European side -Kissinger's weak area -Learning speed -Shultz’s knowledge -Trade legislation -Monetary issue -US interests in European views -Linkage with security -Shultz’s concession -Trade and national security -President’s view -Kissinger’s views -Trade with Europe -Conditions -Possible results for US -Isolationism -Sonnenfeldt -Bridge between National Security Council [NSC] and Treasury Department -Role in treasury -Kissinger -Shultz -Study of trade -Linkage between trade and national security -6- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Trade with USSR -President’s view -Sonnenfeldt's plans -Confirmation hearing -Scope of work at Treasury Department -Trade with USSR -Kissinger’s role -National security -East-West negotiations -Shultz’s knowledge of national security -Willy Brandt’s message -Shultz’s telephone call to President -Insolence -Japan’s response -Edmund R. G. Heath’s response -Sonnenfeldt’s role -Political costs -President’s response -Problems -Bureaucratic problems -Psychological problems -Personal problems -Peter M. Flanigan's office -Strategic terms -Economic advice in Treasury Department report -Flanigan's views -Kissinger's view -Sonnenfeldt's role -Risks -Negotiations -USSR -Working groups -Europe -Advantages -Formal, public position -East-West negotiations -Under Secretary of Treasury -Entitlements -Paul A. Volcker, William E. Simon -7- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Kissinger -Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] negotiations -Sonnenfeldt's role -Middle East involvement Shultz's report to President -Domestic economy -Labor issues -Shultz’s trip abroad -USSR -Reception by Leonid I. Brezhnev -Brezhnev's relationship with President and US -Importance -Nostalgia -Shultz's meeting with Brezhnev -Picture -Carving -Picture of Brezhnev and President at SALT I signing ceremony -Accessibility -Trade compared with economic policy -Distinction noted by Brezhnev -Trade -Vodka, Pepsi Cola -Economic policy -Long time span -Gas deals -Brezhnev -US-USSR relationship -Transitory relationship -Most Favored Nation [MFN] status -Discussion between Shultz, Kissinger and President -Messages -Brezhnev's view of issue -Test issue of US-USSR relations -US economic organization -Peter G. Peterson -Brezhnev's meeting with Shultz -Shultz’s competence -Shultz's closeness to President -8- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Theme of Brezhnev’s personal relationship with President -SALT -Kissinger -Impact of trip to Moscow on Europeans -US-USSR relations -Europe -Reaction to present state of US-USSR relations -Peace issue -Monopoly position with USSR and People’s Republic of China [PRC] -US involvement -Gas deals -Aggressive stance -Conception of role as bridge in East-West relations -US-Europe relations -Avoidance of confrontation -Brandt's message to President -Response -Heath, Brandt -Monetary conferences -Paris, France -Sense of community -Avoidance of confrontation with US -Trade bill in US -Apprehension by Europe -US involvement -First Paris meeting -US role -European confusion -Closure of exchange markets -Giscard D’Estaing’s luncheon -Compared to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s action -Central bankers -Concerns for free market -Second Paris meeting -Draft communiqué -Helmut H. W. Schmidt -Giscard D'Estaing -Adoption of US draft at meeting -US influence -9- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -European attitude -Shultz’s reaction -Energy problems -Importance to Europeans -Rates of inflations -International Monetary and Balance of Pay -US involvement -President's message -Energy users -International cooperation -Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC] -Cartel -International flavor -Shultz's talk to bankers -Paris, France -Schmidt -Energy as subject -Preoccupation with economic problems -Rates of inflation -Great Britain -West Germany -France -Japan -Italy -Italy -Political situation -Schmidt -Finance minister -Central banker -Great Britain -Labor situation -Confrontations with Heath -Comparison with US -US cooperation Steel Agreement -Shultz's work with I[lorwith W[ilbur] Abel -Possible telephone calls by President to Abel and R. Heath Larry -Constructive atmosphere in US -10- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Industry -Labor Management Committee Labor in US ***************************************************************** [Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift] President’s father, Frank Nixon -Liberal view -Belief in work ethic -Comment on Industrial Workers of the World [IWW] [End segment reviewed under deed of gift] ***************************************************************** US-Europe relations -Political atmosphere -Drift to left -Tension -Investment capital -Flow to US from Europe -Increase -Flow to Europe from US -Image -Shultz’s table -Common Agricultural Policy [CAP] -Common markets -US policy -Earl L. Butz -Visit to Europe -Need for negotiations -President’s standing in Europe -Mao Tse-Tung -Quality of world leadership -Great Britain -Heath -11- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Stature -Prospects for European unity -Compared with PRC and USSR -Chou En-lai US foreign policy -Lee Kuan Yew -Meeting with President -Robert Menzies -Great Britain -Potential as leader Shultz's trip -Meeting with Kissinger -Kissinger's negotiations with USSR -US economic policy -Political impact US foreign policy -Problem with balance -US leadership -European advocates -Shultz’s view -International monetary problems -US responsibility -Newspaper column -Milton Friedman [?] -Dollar prices -Compared to mark prices -Inflation rates -Industrial nations -Social issues -Europe -Dependence on US leadership -reaction -Resentment -Left-Wing youth in West Germany -President’s future discussion with Sonnenfeldt and Kissinger -12- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Unrest -Great Britain -France -West Germany -Brandt -Party conference -US-USSR relations -Perception of US-USSR deals by Europe -Détente delays criticized -Need for balance -European isolationism -Brezhnev's motives -US, PRC, Japan, Europe -Demoralization -SALT, Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction [MBFR] -Common Market -USSR-US relations -1972 meeting between Brezhnev and Peterson -Brezhnev -Longevity -Age -Long-range goals -Gas deals -PRC -Succession -Europe -Balance -Germany, Great Britain, France, Netherlands -Comparison with US -Leadership responsibilities -Vietnam War -US responsibilities -Colleges and universities -Professors -Blacks -Chicanos -Whites -Germany -Italy -13- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Netherlands -Belgium -Scandinavians -Cheese, women -Big Powers -Decline of power -Unity of Europe -Meaning -Generation in power -Youth -Bureaucrats -Values -Illusions -Academics -Frustrations Economy -Unemployment insurance -Pension reform -Termination insurance -Reasons -Expense -Benefits -Link with Trade Bill -Peter J. Brennan -Support for reform -Public speeches -Roy L. Ash -Talk with Shultz -Termination insurance -Reaction of management -Big companies -Premiums -Small companies -Unknown results -Areas of controversy -Minimum wage -Administration of funds -Labor Department -14- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Treasury Department -Labor Department -Management's objections -Judgment of pension fund quality -Fear of government intervention -President’s opinion -Bureaucrats -Staffing -Link with other bills -Trade bill -Pension package -Unemployment insurance package -Presentation to Congress -Pros and cons -Link with Trade Bill -Study by President -Balance of equities -Problems -Labor compared with management -Trade -Brennan -Chamber of Commerce -Business representation -Budget -Balance -Agriculture -President's policies -Need for farm state congressmen’s support on vetoes -Termination insurance -Management's concerns -Labor -Management of assets -Unemployment insurance -Extensions of coverage -Farm workers -1969 recommendation -Ronald W. Reagan's support -California -Butz's support -15- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Major problem -Federal standards for benefit levels -Dwight D. Eisenhower's action as President -Republican opposition -Ways and Means Committee -Union support -Arthur F. Burns's support -Business opposition -States -Controversy -Raising of benefits -Coordination with William E. Timmons -Government relations -President’s meeting with state legislators -Support -Economic advisors -Ash, Brennan, Butz, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., Peter M. Flanigan, Herbert Stein, Herbert G. Klein -Budget battle -California -Paper -Unemployment insurance package -Study for President -Meeting with Nguyen Van Thieu -Major problems on economic issues -Federal standards for benefit levels -Brennan's support -Insurance for strikers -State laws -New York, Rhode Island -Union support -George Meany -Shultz’s actions as Labor Secretary -Unemployment insurance for strikers -Brennan's support -Intensity -Special relationship with President -Letter to President -Unintelligible name -16- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Duration of benefits -Increases -Trigger mechanism -Labor support -Controversy -Brennan compared with economic advisors -Brennan's attitude -Swearing-in of Willie J. Usery -Meany's attendance at ceremony -Remarks by Brennan -Labor Unionists in Labor Department -Commerce Department -Brennan -President's handling -President's study of economic package -Minimum wage -Testimony by Brennan -Coverage -Extension -Level -Brennan's attitude Bull entered at an unknown time after 9:07 am. President's meeting with state legislators Bull left at an unknown time before 10:18 am. Economic policy -Minimum wage -Coverage -Level -Youth differential -Brennan's position -Amount -Two dollar bill -Bargaining -John N. Erlenborn -Citizenship [?] -17- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -16 and 17 year olds -19 year olds -18 year olds -Erlenborn bill -Vote -Brennan’s testimony -Congress -Administration’s stance -Conservatism -Budget -Leadership -Youth differential -Brennan’s testimony -Problems -Brennan -Handling -Discussion with the President, economic advisors -Politics -Problems -Budget -Constituency -Testimony to Congress -Preparation -San Clemente visit -Minimum wage issue -Meeting with President -Confrontation -Minimum wage -Talk with Ehrlichman, Shultz -Shultz’s skill -Direction by President -Need to control -Congressional opposition -Republicans -Southern Democrats -Termination insurance -Opposition lobby -Financial contributors -Unemployment insurance -18- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Brennan -Need to control -Congress’s position -Liberals -Minimum wage -Bargaining of levels -Extension of coverage -Youth differential -State and local government workers -Cole -Coverage -Problems with issue -Need to sell -Next year’s package -Local governments, revenue sharing -Unemployment insurance -Federal standards -Persuasion of President -Strikers -Meeting with President -Preparation -Labor leader -Bargaining -Trade Bill -Surcharge -Application -General compared with selective basis -International obligations -Unilateral decision -Internationally-developed Most Favored Nation [MFN] principles -Guidelines Bull entered at an unknown time after 9:07 am. President's meeting with state legislators Bull left at an unknown time before 10:18 am. -19- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) Economic policy -Trade bill -Surcharge -International obligations -Kissinger -State Department -Special Drawing Rights [SDRs] [?] -President's powers -Treasury Department -National Security Council [NSC] -Congress -Reaction of other countries -Canada, Great Britain, Europe -Wilbur D. Mills's view -Kissinger's reaction to August 15, 1971 monetary measures -Bargaining power -Increases -“Fuzzy language” -MFN status for communist countries -Kissinger's strategy -Presidential authority in trade bill -USSR -Jacob K. Javits's proposal -Mills's opposition -Fallback position in Committee -Administration strategy -Kissinger -Meeting with Dobrynin -Problems -Henry M. (“Scoop”) Jackson, Charles Vanik, Mills -Amendments on immigration -Vetoes -Immigration issue -USSR -Pattern of performance -Jackson -Suspicions -Administration strategy -Bargaining -20- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. August-2010) Conversation No. 890-8 (cont’d) -Jackson amendment -Javits's view -Veto procedure -Jackson’s opposition -Mills’s view -Unemployment insurance -Negotiations with unions -Federal government bailout -Brennan -Deal -Jackson amendment -President’s reaction -Jewish community in the US -Initiatives with USSR -Blame Shultz, Sonnenfeldt and Ehrlichman left at 10:18 am.