Conversation 556-019

On August 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, Louise H. Dagney, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:21 pm to 12:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 556-019 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 556-19

Date: August 6, 1971
Time: 12:21 pm - 12:37 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

     George H.W. Bush

The President talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 12:21 pm and

12:23 pm.

[Conversation No. 556-19A]

[See Conversation No. 7-71]

[End of telephone conversation]

     Bush
            -Schedule
                 -Trip to New Hampshire
                       -Barbara Bush

     President's schedule
          -Trip to New Hampshire
                 -Nursing home
                      -Governor of New Hampshire
                           -Louis C. Wyman
                           -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
                      -Other guests

The President talked with Louise H. Dagney between 12:23 pm and 12:24 pm.

[Conversation No. 556-19B]

[See Conversation No. 7-72]

[End of telephone conversation]

     President's schedule

Henry A. Kissinger entered at 12:24 pm.

     Vietnam negotiations
          -James B. (“Scotty”) Reston's article
               -North Vietnam objections
               -George P. Shultz
               -Background briefing
               -Geneva Accords
               -Paris
               -US withdrawal

          -Nguyen Van Thieu
          -Shultz
          -Xuan Thuy
               -US withdrawal
                    -Timing

People's Republic of China [PRC]
     -New York Times article
           -Xuan’s comment
                - Red China compared to        PRC

Orval H. Hansen

Marvin L. Esch

PRC
     -Comments about Kissinger
     -Admiration for intelligence
     -Comments about the President
Vietnam negotiations
     -Reston article
           -Economic assistance
           -Xuan’s comments
                -Seven points
                -US withdrawal
                -Economic assistance
     -Kissinger’s meeting
           -North Vietnam line to USSR
                -US advisors
                -Aid
                -Xuan
                      -US withdrawal
                            -Timing
     -Le Duc Tho
           -Return
     -Nguyen Van Thieu
           -Election
           -Possible action by North Vietnam
                -Xuan
     -Statement of principles
     -Prisoners of war [POWs]

          -Thieu
          -USSR
          -Chances for settlement
          -Thieu
          -Lt. Gen. Duong Van Minh

     President's schedule
          -National Security Council [NSC] meeting
          -Arthur F. Burns meeting
          -NSC meeting
          -Cabinet
          -Paris negotiations
          -Service secretaries
          -Editors

     State Department

     President’s recent press conference
          -Question

     India-Pakistan crisis
           -Kissinger’s conversation with Haldeman
           -NSC
           -Joseph J. Sisco
           -State Department
                 -Arms embargo
                       -President’s position
                             -Rose May Woods
                       -Possible effect
           -New York Times

     USSR
         -Dealings with US journalists

     Vietnam negotiations
          -Xuan’s comments
                -Term PRC
                -Nicolae Ceausescu
          -State Department

The President, Kissinger, and Haldeman left at 12:37 pm.