Walters, Vernon A.
During the Nixon administration, Vernon A. Walters served as the U.S. military attaché in Paris until May 1972, where he played a key role in facilitating Henry Kissinger's secret negotiations with North Vietnamese officials. In May 1972, President Nixon appointed him Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, a position he held for the remainder of Nixon's presidency. For a brief period in the summer of 1973, Walters also served as the Acting Director of Central Intelligence.
President Nixon met with Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters to discuss regional military strategy and evaluate potential career assignments for Walters. The conversation focused on the progress of Operation Lam Son 719, particularly the strategic situation regarding the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the role of U.S. air support. Nixon explored various future deployment options for Walters, including potential roles within the White House, the Army, or the CIA under Director Richard Helms.
President Nixon met with Brazilian President Emilio Garrastuzu Medici and Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters to discuss regional stability and intelligence cooperation in Latin America. The discussion focused on coordinating US-Brazil policies regarding the Organization of American States, managing potential threats from Cuba and Chile, and reviewing infrastructure projects like the Pan American Highway. The participants also established private communication channels and addressed the transition of Vernon Walters to the Central Intelligence Agency.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler and Deputy Director of the CIA Vernon Walters to discuss sensitive intelligence matters. The conversation, which was almost entirely redacted for national security, focused on confidential briefing details and operational secrecy. Walters departed the Oval Office shortly after the discussion concluded.
H. R. Haldeman contacts newly confirmed CIA Deputy Director Vernon A. Walters to seek logistical advice regarding an overnight stop during President Nixon's upcoming trip to the Soviet Union. The two discuss potential locations for the stop, weighing the security, weather, and diplomatic implications of using various military bases. They ultimately conclude that a U.S. base in Spain, specifically Rota, appears to be the most practical and convenient option for the President's itinerary.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, focusing on administrative changes, travel plans, and the finalization of a speech for his trip to Canada. The discussion moved to managing press relations for the upcoming Soviet summit, with Nixon expressing frustration over the administration's perceived tendency to court hostile media figures rather than supporting loyalist journalists. They also evaluated domestic policy messaging, particularly concerning food prices and the administration's response to the North Vietnamese offensive, while deciding to maintain a firm, proactive stance in their public communications.
President Nixon met with Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters to receive coaching and practice the pronunciation of French phrases for an upcoming address to the Canadian Parliament. The session involved detailed linguistic drills, with Rose Mary Woods assisting in the logistics of the speech drafts and Alexander P. Butterfield briefly joining to deliver documents. The discussion also touched upon ongoing military concerns in Vietnam, including North Vietnamese movements and the status of diplomatic efforts.
President Nixon hosted a ceremony in the Oval Office for Vernon A. Walters to mark his promotion and official swearing-in as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Joined by Walters's family, Judge Edward Tamm, and CIA Director Richard Helms, the President administered the oath of office and acknowledged Walters's 31 years of military service. The meeting concluded with a photography session and the distribution of presidential gifts to the attendees.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors, including George P. Shultz, Arthur F. Burns, Caspar Weinberger, and Herbert Stein, to review the status of the U.S. economy, specifically focusing on inflation, unemployment rates, and price stability. The discussion covered the political implications of economic indicators ahead of the 1972 election, particularly regarding potential campaign issues against George McGovern, and touched upon international currency problems and foreign policy matters involving Latin America. The group debated the efficacy of various economic interventions, including wage and price controls and potential actions to address rising meat prices, while weighing the impact of these policies on business and public perception.
President Nixon instructed Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters to provide a confidential briefing to Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur F. Burns regarding Latin American political conditions. The briefing was intended to prepare Burns for his upcoming diplomatic trip to Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Venezuela. Walters agreed to coordinate with Burns to arrange the meeting at the latter's office later that afternoon.
President Nixon initiated this brief call to reach Deputy CIA Director Vernon A. Walters after discovering that CIA Director Richard Helms was unavailable. The primary purpose was to coordinate a forthcoming meeting regarding sensitive matters involving Soviet leadership and concerns over potential information leaks from the State Department. Nixon also signaled an intent to discuss the protection of the CIA and provided specific instructions to be relayed to relevant personnel.
President Nixon met with Deputy Director of the CIA Vernon A. Walters to discuss his adjustment to his new role within the intelligence agency. Nixon inquired about Walters' satisfaction with the position and instructed him to secure assistance in managing specific operational challenges. The conversation emphasized the President's desire for Walters to navigate these internal matters discreetly without unnecessary administrative oversight.