Conversation: 540-004
Prev: 540-003 Next: 540-005Start Date: Tuesday, July 20, 1971 11:53 AM
End Date: Tuesday, July 20, 1971 12:05 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; [Unknown person(s)]Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:10:23
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 00:22:57
NARA Description:
On July 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 7:53 am to 8:05 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 540-004 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 540-4
Date: July 20, 1971
Time: 7:53 am - 8:05 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.
US-People’s Republic of China [PRC] relations
-Forthcoming briefing of Congressional leaders on US relations with PRC
-Attendees
-William P. Rogers
-Tone
-Kissinger
-Calligraphy, notes
-Need to maintain secrecy during negotiations
-Pentagon Papers citation
-Attendees
-John G. Tower, Peter H. Dominick
-Kissinger's forthcoming meeting with conservatives
-Possible answer to questions about Taiwan [Republic of China]
-Kissinger’s July 19, 1971 meeting with columnist
-Hugh S. Sidey
-Richard Wilson
-Edward W. Carter
4
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/08)
News headlines
-Peking, China
-PRC support of North Vietnam
-US
-Taiwan
**********************************************************************
Conv. No. 540-4 (cont.)
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[National Security]
[Duration: 38s ]
TAIWAN
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
**********************************************************************
-July 19, 1971 meeting with Congressional leaders
-Newspaper and media coverage
-James B. ("Scotty") Reston
-Trip to the PRC
-Hospitalization
-Forthcoming meetings with conservatives
-Kissinger's July 19, 1971 meeting with columnists
-Kevin P. Phillips
-Topics
-Secrecy and confidentiality
-Kissinger's forthcoming meetings with conservatives
-Schedule
-The President's schedule
-Discussion of John B. Connally's situation
-Senior Review Group
-Unknown staff member
Vietnam negotiations
-Kissinger's forthcoming trip to Paris
-Kissinger's forthcoming September 1971 trip to the PRC
5
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/08)
An unknown man entered at an unknown time after 7:53 am.
William P. Rogers
The unknown man left at an unknown time before 8:05 am.
Conv. No. 540-4 (cont.)
Vietnam negotiations
-Possibility of settlement
-Prisoners of war [POWs]
-Kissinger's possible itinerary
-Presidential election campaign in South Vietnam
-Possible US tactics
-Ellsworth F. Bunker, Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-Effect on Nguyen Van Thieu
-Type of agreement
-Revealing secret talks
-Thieu
The Soviet Union [USSR]
-Possibility of summit meeting
-Effect of PRC initiative
-Kissinger's Conversation with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
-Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-Announcement
-PRC trip
-Timing
Kissinger and the President left at 8:05 am.