Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 504
Nixon White House Tape 504 (May 27, 1971 – May 28, 1971)
22 conversations · Oval Office · about 6 hr 10 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Bull, Haldeman, Kissinger
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to coordinate the day's agenda. The discussion focused on managing the President's daily schedule, specifically concerning an upcoming meeting with an unidentified individual. No further policy-related actions were recorded, as the brief exchange was primarily administrative.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and others to discuss administrative matters, including the President's recent Southern trip, press strategy, and upcoming state visits. The group reviewed the success of the President's recent tour, debated the merits of using certificates of appreciation to bolster local support, and strategized on how to better leverage public relations for administration priorities like the drug crisis. Furthermore, the President and Kissinger discussed the ongoing Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), with Nixon emphasizing the need to adopt a hardline stance toward the Soviet Union to ensure progress before any potential summit.
President Nixon, First Lady Pat Nixon, and Alexander Butterfield met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate the placement of a gift received from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The participants discussed whether the item should be displayed in the White House or transferred to the presidential library. They ultimately concluded the session by formalizing plans for the gift's handling and display.
President Nixon met with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral relations and the escalating instability in the Middle East. The King expressed deep concern regarding the influence of Zionism and Communism in the region, arguing that they often act as destabilizing forces that threaten U.S.-Saudi interests. Nixon reiterated his commitment to an even-handed Middle East policy, emphasizing that his administration sought to normalize relations with all regional states and pursue a durable peace settlement rather than just interim measures like the proposed reopening of the Suez Canal.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss a gift of a sword received from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Their brief exchange touched upon the political perspectives of a third party, characterized by the President as harboring negative views toward Saudi Arabia and Jewish people. The conversation primarily served as a casual interaction regarding diplomatic gifts and the interpersonal impressions of various individuals.
President Nixon hosted a series of brief meetings in the Oval Office to recognize the service of several individuals, including Admiral R. C. Robinson, Jack T. Cole, and long-serving government employee Carson Howell, often presenting them with commemorative gifts. During these sessions, the President discussed his opposition to the legalization of marijuana and orchestrated various photo opportunities for his guests. Additionally, Nixon met with Catherine May Bedell and Peter G. Peterson to discuss her nomination to the U.S. Tariff Commission, emphasizing the need for her to work closely with his administration and maintain direct communication with his key advisors.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative details regarding the President's daily schedule. The primary focus of the brief discussion was to organize an upcoming appointment with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. No major policy decisions were reached during this short logistical consultation.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and later Henry Kissinger to navigate sensitive political scheduling and high-stakes foreign policy dilemmas. The group discussed managing state visits, including the logistical and political optics of hosting King Faisal and Anastasio Somoza, while also deliberating on the timing of a presidential press conference and potential meetings with congressional leadership. A significant portion of the session focused on the 'Two Chinas' issue, where the President weighed the risk of losing Taiwan's United Nations seat against the diplomatic consequences of shifting U.S. policy toward the People's Republic of China. Ultimately, Nixon directed his team to stall for time, opting for noncommittal consultations with allies while prioritizing the preservation of existing diplomatic postures.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met briefly to coordinate administrative logistics regarding upcoming meetings with William P. Rogers and Henry A. Kissinger. The discussion focused on scheduling these high-level briefings and managing internal communication protocols. Butterfield confirmed the status of necessary documentation, ensuring the President's agenda was prepared before departing.
President Nixon and personal secretary Rose Mary Woods briefly consulted regarding the logistics of an upcoming evening engagement, specifically checking on an individual's itinerary and planned activities. Nixon sought clarity on the status of this individual's participation to determine how best to proceed with scheduling or campaign-related involvement. The discussion concluded without a definitive decision, as the President remained uncertain about the appropriate course of action for this person's role.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically balancing congressional social engagements with official duties. They discussed the logistics of a congressional mixer and the necessity of rescheduling certain events to accommodate a visit from Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza Debayle. The group decided to shift the congressional event to the following week to ensure proper planning and to account for the President’s travel to California.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was arranging a meeting between Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers. Butterfield exited the office immediately following this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to strategize on two critical foreign policy initiatives: the pursuit of Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR) in Europe and the shifting U.S. approach toward the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the United Nations. They discussed the tactical necessity of appearing proactive while maintaining control over the pace of negotiations, specifically regarding a potential 10% troop reduction in Europe and the delicate diplomatic maneuverings required to manage Taiwan's status at the UN. Secretary of State William P. Rogers joined the discussion to refine these strategies, and the President emphasized the importance of consulting with allies before making any final policy declarations to ensure domestic and international stability.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for a subsequent meeting involving Ronald Ziegler, Egil Krogh, and John Ehrlichman. This short exchange served primarily as a logistical check-in to ensure the administration's staff were prepared for their scheduled appointments.
President Nixon met with his senior staff and cabinet members to finalize a new, centralized strategy for combating the heroin epidemic among Vietnam veterans and the general public, including the establishment of a Special Action Office. The President directed that this new office would oversee federal drug rehabilitation, prevention, and enforcement efforts across all departments, emphasizing the urgent need for a cohesive, high-level response to prevent former servicemen from turning to crime. During the discussions, Nixon also pressed for stricter loyalty within the administration, authorized an investigation into intelligence leaks, and evaluated personnel appointments within the CIA and military leadership.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to coordinate logistics for an upcoming engagement. The President instructed Sanchez to be prepared for a nine o'clock departure or event. The brief exchange concluded with the exchange of a card and final instructions regarding timing.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The brief interaction consisted of informal personal conversation and personal matters. No significant policy decisions or official administrative actions were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon uses this brief session to dictate a formal response to a May 21 letter he received from John J. McCloy. The President expresses his appreciation for McCloy’s generous correspondence and supportive sentiment regarding his presidency. This interaction serves as a routine administrative act to maintain diplomatic relations with a prominent advisor.
President Nixon consulted with his staff regarding the drafting of a letter to Thomas W. Fletcher, the former Deputy Mayor of Washington, D.C. The discussion focused on confirming the first name of Senator Sam Ervin to ensure the appropriate level of formality in the correspondence. Nixon ultimately decided that addressing the recipient by his first name was the preferred tone for the letter.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an outgoing telephone call to Cardinal James Francis McIntyre in Los Angeles. The primary purpose of this interaction was to facilitate direct communication between the President and the prominent religious leader. The request was executed immediately following the President's brief directive to the operator.
Alexander P. Butterfield met with Secret Service agents and unidentified individuals in the Oval Office to coordinate the arrival and display of a decorative object commissioned by Lucy Ferguson. The group discussed technical requirements for the item’s installation and its visual presentation within the room. This logistical effort served as a preparatory measure for the President's upcoming return to the office.
Alexander P. Butterfield facilitates a brief, informal meeting in the Oval Office with an unknown individual, potentially a Saudi Arabian official, and a staff member named Kimberly. The dialogue primarily focuses on logistical arrangements for the guests, including moving them to a private area and offering refreshments. The encounter concludes abruptly with the party exiting the office shortly after arrival.