Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 477
Nixon White House Tape 477 (April 12, 1971)
14 conversations · Oval Office · about 6 hr 28 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Kissinger, Sanchez
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate administrative strategy, focusing on upcoming press engagements and public relations tactics. They discussed managing the political fallout of potential Vietnam protests, the future of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and the necessity of aligning the State Department with the administration's Vietnam policy. Additionally, the participants reviewed economic indicators and planned for upcoming diplomatic initiatives involving China and Pakistan.
President Nixon met with departing Taiwan Ambassador Chow Shu-kai and later with Anna C. Chennault to discuss U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, specifically balancing commitments to Taiwan with new diplomatic and trade overtures toward the People's Republic of China. Nixon emphasized his administration's continued support for Taiwan despite minor symbolic trade relaxations, while also coordinating private channels to maintain communication with Chiang Kai-shek and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. The participants explored utilizing Chennault as an unofficial liaison to navigate regional political sensitivities and concerns regarding U.S. policy shifts.
Henry A. Kissinger met with White House valet Manolo Sanchez in the Oval Office for a brief exchange. The recording consists entirely of withdrawn material, leaving the substantive content of their interaction unknown. No specific policy decisions or significant developments were recorded.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed various administrative and foreign policy issues, including Kissinger’s upcoming meeting with John D. Rockefeller III and the role of Anna C. Chennault. The conversation shifted to the complexities of the Vietnam War, specifically focusing on the political pressure regarding troop withdrawal deadlines and the urgency of U.S. policy toward prisoners of war (POWs). The discussion emphasized the administration's need to solidify a clear position on POW issues, with plans to coordinate further with Charles W. Colson.
President Nixon hosted a brief meeting in the Oval Office with Marilyn, Barbara, and Bobby Cochran, accompanied by Henry C. Cashen, II, for a photo opportunity and gift presentation. The conversation focused on the younger Cochrans' interest in skiing, with the President encouraging their determination and persistence in the sport. Nixon concluded the visit by providing the group with a brief educational tour of the office, highlighting various historical artifacts including a portrait of George Washington and an 1837 depiction of the White House.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to discuss scheduling and logistical arrangements regarding a request for an intervention, possibly involving individuals named Frank or Waiters. The conversation also touched upon a potential engagement or event related to France. The meeting concluded quickly, leaving the specific purpose of the intervention unclear.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss a wide-ranging agenda of administrative, political, and public relations matters. Key topics included coordinating Secretary of State William P. Rogers's public stance on Vietnam to bolster the administration's position, finalizing plans for presidential radio "fireside chats" to bypass traditional media, and reviewing polling data that suggested televised addresses significantly improved the President's approval ratings. Additionally, the two discussed personnel appointments and managing leaks from within the bureaucracy, ultimately deciding to maintain a disciplined communication strategy to mitigate public frustration regarding the Vietnam War.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate a briefing session with Peter G. Peterson. The primary objective was to arrange a meeting between the President and Peterson regarding his official schedule. Nixon provided specific instructions to facilitate the call and ensure Peterson could be brought into the Oval Office for the discussion.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to organize his daily agenda and coordinate upcoming meetings with key economic advisors. The discussion focused on scheduling a brief session with Peter G. Peterson prior to a subsequent meeting with George P. Shultz. Nixon specifically directed Bull to ensure these transitions were managed efficiently to accommodate his immediate administrative priorities.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Peter G. Peterson, and George P. Shultz to coordinate administration strategy regarding upcoming press conferences, the handling of planned anti-war demonstrations, and the launch of new international economic and foreign policy initiatives. The discussion emphasized a pivot toward economic competition as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, specifically addressing relations with China and the restructuring of trade policy. Nixon directed his team to prioritize quiet, low-key implementation of administrative and civil rights goals to avoid political backlash and unnecessary public controversy.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Maurice Stans, and James Lynn to review a comprehensive report by the Commerce Department regarding the business community's dissatisfaction with the administration. The participants discussed strategies to improve government-business relations, including mitigating the influence of anti-business sentiment in federal agencies, addressing specific grievances concerning antitrust and environmental regulations, and improving the commercial services provided by the State Department. Nixon directed his staff to maintain a defensive posture for business against Congressional and public pressure while cautioning that the administration's capacity to favor business is limited by the prevailing anti-industry political climate.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to review the upcoming presidential schedule and necessary preparations for pending appointments. The discussion centered on logistics regarding visits from William P. Rogers, Victor Lasky, and Patricia Lasky. Bull provided updates on these scheduled engagements to ensure the President was adequately briefed on the agenda.
President Nixon met with author Victor Lasky and his wife, Patricia, to discuss the scope and themes of Lasky's upcoming book about the Nixon administration. The conversation focused on Nixon's efforts to steer the country through crises such as the Vietnam War, the Middle East conflict, and economic inflation, while emphasizing his commitment to steady, long-term policy over short-term political gains. Nixon critiqued the establishment's resistance to his Vietnamization strategy and China initiative, positioning his decisions as essential for maintaining American credibility and global strength.
President Nixon met with Secretary of State William Rogers and several staff members to discuss two primary agendas: the public relations strategy for Tricia Nixon’s upcoming wedding and the administration's foreign policy maneuvering regarding China and Vietnam. Nixon emphasized the need for a choreographed, graceful presentation of the wedding to the press while explicitly rejecting over-exposure on talk shows. Regarding international affairs, the participants discussed the necessity of capitalizing on the ongoing withdrawal from Vietnam to secure domestic credit for broader diplomatic achievements, including the recent opening to China and progress on arms control, while maintaining a firm stance on security and defense appropriations.