Conversation: 475-023
Prev:  475-022 Next: 475-024Start Date: 8-Apr-1971 3:56 PM
End Date: 8-Apr-1971 4:21 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); MacArthur, Douglas, II; Haig, Alexander M., Jr.; White House photographer; Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 05:14:06
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 05:39:42
NARA Description:
On April 8, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Douglas MacArthur, II, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:56 pm to 4:21 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 475-023 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 475-23 Date: April 8, 1971 Time: 3:56 pm - 4:21 pm Location: Oval Office The President met with Douglas MacArthur, II and General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.; the White House photographer and members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting Greeting President’s schedule -Veto of bills 53 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) President’s speech on Southeast Asia, April 7, 1971 Iran -Mohammed Reza Pahlavi -President’s possible visit to Iran -MacArthur’s memorandum -President’s visit -Timing Conv. No. 475-22 (cont.) -President’s message to Shah [Camera noise] -President’s message to Shah -President’s trip to Iran -Timing -Scheduling -President’s itinerary -Haig -Central Africa, Northern Africa -Morocco -King Hassan II -President’s visit to Iran -Symbolism -President’s previous trips -Message to Shah -Scheduling -Timing -Vietnamese elections -Scheduling -British pull-out from Persian Gulf -Vacuum -Iranian role -Capabilities -US review -Defense Department -Shah’s strength -Vacuum -US -Japanese imports of petroleum -North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], Europe -Radical Arab countries -Liberation fronts 54 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) -Shah’s conversation with MacArthur -Shah’s comments about the President -Previous US presidents -Middle East -President’s trip to Iran -Suggestions for discussions -Scheduling -British pull-out from Persian Gulf Conv. No. 475-23 (cont.) -State Department -William P. Rogers -Scheduling -Instructions to Haig -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman -Message to Shah -Timing -Shah -Need for money, arms -Role in region -Need for money, arms -Development of five-year plan -Equipment -Infrastructure -Personnel -Identifying priorities -MacArthur’s conversation with Henry Kearns -Export-Import Bank -Need for Credit -Type -Amount of loan -Fiscal Year 1972 -Importance to US -Japan, Europe -Iranian friendship for US Asia -India -Pakistan 55 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) ****************************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1 [National Security] [Duration: 20s ] FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conv. No. 475-23 (cont.) END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1 ****************************************************************************** -Vietnam Thailand -President’s conversation with Robert C. Byrd -Reduction of forces -Compared with Vietnam -Treaty with US -Consequences of US withdrawal -Vietnam -Credibility -Japanese interest in US presence -Reduction of forces Iran Philippines -Political stability Taiwan -Strength Malaysia and Singapore -Conflicts -Lee Kuan Yew Indonesia 56 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) ****************************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3 [National Security] [Duration: 9s ] FOREIGN AFFAIRS Conv. No. 475-23 (cont.) END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3 ****************************************************************************** Middle East -Iran -Petroleum -Importance -Arab-Israel conflict -Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] -Iran -Strength -Balance to Soviet influence -Strength -Friendship with US -Compared with -Morocco -King Hassan II -Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Sudan, United Arab Republic, Jordan, Lebanon -US alliance with Israel -Morocco -USSR -US ties with Israel -Effect on US-Arab relations -Iran -Shah’s ties to US -President’s conversation with the Shah 57 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) ****************************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4 [National Security] [Duration: 1m 9s ] MIDDLE EAST Conv. No. 475-23 (cont.) END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4 ****************************************************************************** Iran -Reform program -Land reform, education, health, housing -Tudeh Party -Youth -Activists -Aspirations -Reform program -Feudalism -Effects on social structure -Shah’s conversation with MacArthur -Aspirations -Hospitals, health services, housing, schools -Social conscience -Stability -Economic growth -Petroleum -Manufacture -Diversification -Automobiles -Agriculture -Exports -Dates -Wheat -Tractors -John Deere Company -Romanian activity 58 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) -Ford Motor Company -US and European investments -Scott’s tissues -Free enterprise -Security -MacArthur’s conversation with Shah -Petroleum negotiations -Radical Arabs and Shah Conv. No. 475-23 (cont.) -Investment profits -Investment climate -Exports -Industrial investments -Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf -Industrial projects -Leadership -Shah’s ability -Zaire -Belgium -Constitution -Mobutu Sese Seko -Compared with African nations -Africa -Development -Democracy -Compared with Vietnam ****************************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5 [National Security] [Duration: 7s ] AFRICA END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5 ****************************************************************************** 59 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) -British -US Latin America -Brazil -State visit -Colombia -Political situation -Mexico Conv. No. 475-23 (cont.) -Venezuela -Other countries -Brazil -Stability -Argentina -General Juan Domingo Perón -US policy -Democracy -Dictatorship -Recognizing different stages of development Political developments in other countries -Japan -Business oligarchy -Constitution President’s responsibilities Laura L. (Barkley) MacArthur -Tehran -Conversation with President -Alben W. Barkley -Tehran President’s visit to Tehran -Accommodations President’s meeting with ambassadors Presidential gifts -Cufflinks 60 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 9/08) President’s visit to Iran -Scheduling -Message to Iranians MacArthur and Haig left at 4:21 pm