Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 506
Nixon White House Tape 506 (May 28, 1971)
14 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 28 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Kissinger, Bull, Butterfield, White House photographer
President Nixon met with Danish representative Torben Ronne and Henry Kissinger to discuss international security, specifically regarding the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union, and ongoing Vietnam War tensions. The discussion emphasized the need for a coordinated alliance position on arms control and regional stability, while Ronne expressed concerns regarding potential unilateral diplomatic recognition of Hanoi by other Scandinavian countries. Nixon reaffirmed the administration's commitment to consulting with Denmark on sensitive regional matters and acknowledged the Danish government's support regarding troop levels and foreign policy alignment.
President Nixon met with leaders of the Retail Clerks International Association, including James Suffridge, James Housewright, and William McGuire, alongside aide Charles W. Colson for a brief, ceremonial visit. The participants engaged in light conversation, exchanged gifts including golf balls and cuff links, and discussed a prayer shared by a local pastor. The interaction concluded with a photo opportunity and a brief discussion regarding a gift received from Saudi Arabia intended for the presidential library.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review and finalize arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Harry S. Dent. This brief administrative consultation focused on managing the President's schedule and ensuring the coordination of the appointment. No further policy decisions were recorded during this session.
President Nixon met with H. John Heinz III and Harry S. Dent to discuss Heinz's campaign for a congressional seat in a Democratic-leaning district in Pennsylvania. Nixon provided political advice, emphasizing that Heinz should focus on a personal appeal to voters while addressing economic concerns like jobs and inflation. The meeting concluded with Nixon presenting gifts to Heinz for his family and reflecting on his own early experiences as a young congressman.
President Nixon held a brief, two-minute meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss scheduling coordination regarding an upcoming appointment with Henry Kissinger. The exchange focused on logistical instructions to ensure a medical professional was available or properly managed during the transition between meetings. No broader policy or strategic decisions were finalized during this short interaction.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator connect him to his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. This brief interaction served solely as a logistical request to facilitate a personal phone call. No policy matters or administrative business were conducted during this exchange.
President Nixon met briefly with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, to discuss her recent attendance at a social event. The conversation centers on Julie’s role in representing the family at a gathering associated with the Kennedy family. The exchange is informal and serves primarily as a personal check-in between the President and his daughter.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss foreign policy initiatives, specifically the delicate handling of the People's Republic of China, and the broader political landscape concerning the administration's re-election prospects. They evaluated the performance of cabinet members, with Kissinger expressing distrust toward Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird’s political ambitions and perceived lack of loyalty. Additionally, they addressed concerns regarding the Vietnam War, emphasizing the necessity of preventing a collapse of Saigon before the 1972 election while noting the military's ongoing struggles with drug abuse.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss administrative matters and personal requests. The brief interaction primarily centered on the President's inquiry regarding the procurement of salmon. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate the President’s upcoming travel schedule, which included stops in Indianapolis, California, Midway Island, and Maine. They discussed speech drafting, particularly for an upcoming address to the American Medical Association, and debated the logistics of using helicopters versus airplanes for these trips. Additionally, the pair reviewed recent polling data from Louis Harris and George Gallup regarding public opinion on the People's Republic of China’s admission to the United Nations, noting a shift in Republican sentiment in response to administration policy.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the administrative handling of a forthcoming presidential speech and the vetting of potential political appointees. They reviewed the distribution of speech drafts to key staff members, including Henry Kissinger and Alexander Haig, while incorporating revisions based on Kissinger's recommendations. Additionally, Nixon expressed strong reservations about appointing individuals like Charles Schultze or John Gardner due to their perceived ties to Democratic candidates, ultimately deciding against their inclusion.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to inquire about the status and location of specific groups of veterans. The brief exchange focused on locating these individuals, highlighting a concern regarding administrative oversight or accountability. No formal policy decisions were reached, as the discussion remained strictly focused on identifying the whereabouts of the mentioned personnel.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, John N. Mitchell, and other staff to refine a forthcoming speech at West Point and discuss a wide range of domestic and international political strategy. Key topics included the U.S. response to Soviet naval activity in Cuba, the ongoing effort to manage the Vietnam War in the public consciousness, and organizational strategies for the 1972 primaries, specifically concerning Ohio, California, and Texas. Nixon and Mitchell also reviewed potential personnel appointments and cabinet-level changes, including the roles of Leonard Firestone and Louie Nunn, while finalizing the administration's political positioning regarding Democratic challengers.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate security logistics during a time when President Nixon was located at the White House residence. The brief exchange consists almost exclusively of affirmative acknowledgments and operational check-ins between the personnel present. Due to the high level of ambient noise and the repetitive nature of the audio, no substantive policy discussions or significant presidential decisions were recorded.