Conversation 481-004

On April 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, George P. Shultz, and Peter G. Peterson met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:15 am to 9:34 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 481-004 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 481-4

Date: April 17 1971
Time: 9:15 am - 9:34 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with George P. Shultz

     Dr. James R. Schlesinger
           -Departure [from Office of Management and Budget]
           -Department of Interior

     Kenneth W. Dam
         -Placement
         -Evaluation
         -William P. Rogers
         -Talent
               -Finish in law school class [University of Chicago]

     Elliot L. Richardson
           -Qualifications
           -Harvard Law School

     Welsh
         -University of Chicago
         -Abilities
         -Writings
         -”The Pricing of North Sea Gas in Britain”
         -Anti-trust
                                              6

                          NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. 9/08)



          -Common Market problem
          -Languages
          -Abilities
          -Placement
          -Peter G. Peterson
          -International economics
          -Schlesinger
          -Possible role                                          Conv. No. 481-3 (cont.)
          -Abilities
          -Age

     Upcoming meeting
         -Shultz's schedule

Peterson entered at 9:20 am

          -Agenda


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[National Security]
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     CANADA


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          -People's Republic of China [PRC] initiative
               -US relations with Taiwan

     Textile Negotiations
          -Forthcoming meeting prior to David M. Kennedy’s trip
               -Objectives
               -Strategy
               -State Department
                              7

          NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                     Tape Subject Log
                        (rev. 9/08)



      -Shultz
      -Textile industry
      -Negotiations
            -Evaluation
      -US position
      -Trade
            -Strategy
            -Southeast Asia                            Conv. No. 481-4 (cont.)
            -Negotiating problems
            -Kennedy
      -Need for instructions
            -Effect on negotiations
-Peterson's meeting with General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
      -Negotiating strategy
-Trade inducements
-Instructions for Kennedy
-Trade inducements
-Kennedy's schedule
      -Trip to Asia
            -Philippines
-Discussions of inducements
-Attendees
      -John B. Connally
      -U. Alexis Johnson
      -Peter M. Flanigan
      -Maurice H. Stans
      -Haig
      -Melvin R. Laird
      -Haig
            -Defense Department
      -Stans
      -Kennedy
            -Message to State Department
            -Role
            -Trip to Asia
            -Schedule
            -Attitude toward assignment
-Peterson's conversation with Johnson
      -Henry A. Kissinger
-Attendees
      -Kissinger
      -Haig
                                         8

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                Tape Subject Log
                                   (rev. 9/08)



                -Kissinger
                     -Defense Department
                     -Laird

     -Location
           -Oval Office
           -Cabinet Room
     -Schedule                                            Conv. No. 481-4 (cont.)
     -President's conversation with Kissinger

US economic leadership in post-Vietnam War era
     -”Peaceful competition” theme
     -PRC
     -Competitiveness
     -Leadership
          -Consequences
     -Purposes
     -US position
     -American spirit
     -Competition
          -Supersonic Transport [SST]
          -Steel
                -Exports
                      -Share of market
                           -Compared with 1940-1950
                           -Japan
     -Possible consequences of failure
          -Isolationism
          -Protectionism
     -Leadership
     -Foreign policy
          -National defense
     -Economics

State Department
      -Organization of foreign economic policy
           -Possible effect on negotiations
                 -Possible White house involvement
           -Responsibilities
           -Shultz
           -Need to build strength
           -Negotiations
                                                9

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                       Tape Subject Log
                                          (rev. 9/08)



                      -Canada
                      -Japan
                -Commercial attaches
                      -Stans
                -Spirit
                -Rogers
                      -Responsibilities
                           -State Department effectiveness in economic Conv.
                                                                       field No. 481-4 (cont.)
                           -Oil negotiations
                      -Possible conversation with Peterson and Shultz

The President, Peterson and Shultz left at 9:34 am