Conversation: 520-004
Prev:  520-003 Next: 520-005Start Date: 15-Jun-1971 10:39 AM
End Date: 15-Jun-1971 10:59 AM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Ziegler, Ronald L.; Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:47:08
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 01:06:39
NARA Description:
On June 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:39 am to 10:59 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 520-004 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 520-4 Date: June 15, 1971 Time: 10:39 am - 10:59 am Location: Oval Office The President met with Henry A. Kissinger Meeting with Willy Brandt -Kissinger’s attendance -Photo session -Egon Bahr -Brandt -President’s view -[David] Kenneth Rush -German politics -Ostpolitik -Berlin 9 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) Kissinger’s schedule -Meeting with Arthur K. Watson -Telegram sent through State Department -Georges J. R. Pompidou to President -Algeria -Export-Import Bank -Leak Conv. No. 520-4 (cont.) Watson -Invitation to Brandt dinner -Attendance Vietnam -Troop levels -Kissinger role -Other negotiations -Financial arrangements -Possibilities Kissinger lunch with John B. Connally -Updating of Connally knowledge of negotiations -Connally knowledge versus John N. Mitchell knowledge -People’s Republic of China [PRC] -Vietnam -Leak of documents -William A. K. (“Tony”) Lake defense -Berlin negotiations with Soviet Union -Vietnam talks -Use of “Separate Channels” -US-Soviet talks -Chances of agreements -Movement in negotiations -Reason for secrecy -Knowledge of US actions by officials -William P. Rogers -Melvin R. Laird -Mitchell -Effect of Departments of State and Defense bureaucracies -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew 10 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) George S. McGovern-Mark O. Hatfield amendment -Hugh Scott -Kissinger’s talk with unknown representative -Gerald R. Ford role -Ford conversation with President -US position -Milton R. Young -Narcotics Conv. No. 520-4 (cont.) -Role of military service -Change of context -Kissinger’s meeting with Henry Hubbard -Articles -Public position of administration -Effect of passage of McGovern-Hatfield amendment -Destruction of negotiations New York Times disclosures (Pentagon Papers) -Mitchell -Lyndon B. Johnson -Substance of articles -Defense of governmental process -New York Times role Ronald L. Ziegler entered at 10:47 am -Attorney General role -President’s action on assuming the Presidency -Assessment of policy -Substance of article -Role of previous administrations -Injunction from Justice Department -Rationale -Enforcement of law -Disclosure of classified material -Procedures -Legal requirements -Prosecution of guilty -Responsibilities of administration -Flexibility of position -New York Times response -Administration response -Legal process of declassification 11 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) -Violation of declassification procedures -Necessary procedures -President’s non-involvement in “family quarrel” -Responsibilities of administration -Penalties for administration disclosures -Max Frankel Ziegler left at 10:54 am Conv. No. 520-4 (cont.) Kissinger-Anatoliy F. Dobrynin meeting -Advantages -Relation to upcoming PRC trip -Noncommittal acceptance of proffered document -Soviet desire for summit -Timing of response New York Times situation -Mitchell -Injunction -President’s approval -Rationale Vietnam negotiations -President’s meeting with Republican Congressional leaders -Peter H. Dominick -Questions -Coalition government -”Back channel” negotiations -Results of nonsupport of President -Handling Congress -Effect of New York Times situation during election -Security of files -Laird role -Rogers -Cabinet leaks -Campaign problems -Congressional attitudes -Kissinger -John D. Ehrlichman -Reminder of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] -PRC trip -Packaging 12 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/08) -Soviet Union -SALT Kissinger left at 10:59 am Conv. No. 520-4 (cont.)