Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 559
Nixon White House Tape 559 (August 10, 1971)
25 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 55 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Bull, United States Secret Service agents, White House photographer
President Richard M. Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield in the Oval Office to facilitate an urgent administrative request. The primary purpose of this brief interaction was for the President to summon Henry A. Kissinger for a consultation. Following the exchange, Butterfield departed to carry out the President's instructions.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics regarding Henry Kissinger's schedule. The brief discussion served to align the President's priorities with the National Security Advisor's upcoming appointments. No major policy decisions were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger to discuss personnel changes, press relations, and upcoming strategic initiatives. The group reviewed the President's public image, specifically criticizing the media's use of negative adjectives and tone, while coordinating a strategy to promote a media study by Edith Efron. They also reviewed foreign policy issues, including arms control and upcoming diplomatic efforts with China, and addressed the need for strict internal secrecy regarding pending economic policy decisions.
Manolo Sanchez and an unknown individual met with Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to coordinate the physical placement of specific objects within the room. The discussion focused on logistical details regarding equipment setup, including the positioning of a screen and table, as well as clarifying procedural standards for placement. The meeting concluded after the participants successfully determined the desired arrangement of these items.
United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office to conduct a routine check of the taping system's recording status. The exchange confirmed that the equipment was operational and properly capturing audio. No substantive policy matters or political discussions were addressed during this brief technical coordination.
United States Secret Service agents coordinated regarding the President's precise movements and current location within the West Wing. The conversation served as a logistical update to ensure security protocols remained aligned with the President's immediate activities. The participants successfully established communication status to facilitate continued monitoring during the President's transition between rooms.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to review the exchange of diplomatic gifts between the President and Prime Minister Lon Nol of Cambodia. The discussion centered on the specific items presented, including a clock and flowers given by the White House, and a silver urn and gold ruby necklace received in return. This meeting served as a procedural wrap-up of the gift-giving protocols associated with the Prime Minister's visit.
President Nixon met with Cambodian Prime Minister Sisowath Sirik Matak to discuss the military and political situation in Cambodia amidst the ongoing Vietnam War. The discussion focused on Cambodia's defense strategy, the resilience of the Cambodian people against North Vietnamese aggression, and concerns regarding the regional impact of U.S. troop withdrawals from South Vietnam. Nixon reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Asian independence and maintaining a military presence in the Pacific to prevent communist domination, while emphasizing that regional nations must ultimately bear the primary responsibility for their own defense.
President Nixon met with Aldo F. DiChiara, Crensenzi W. Castaldo, and George T. Bell for a brief ceremonial visit that included a photo opportunity and the presentation of gifts, such as cufflinks and presidential seals. The participants engaged in light conversation regarding the 1964 presidential campaign and Barry Goldwater before discussing Nixon's upcoming speaking engagements, including an address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The group also briefly touched upon federal assistance for parochial schools and expressed their organizational support for the President.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate the logistics of an upcoming meeting with Jon M. Huntsman. The brief discussion served to finalize the President's schedule regarding this visit. No other policy matters were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon met with A. Blaine Huntsman and Jon M. Huntsman in the Oval Office for a brief, ceremonial encounter. A White House photographer was present to document the session, which centered on the formal exchange of gifts, specifically golf balls. The meeting concluded after approximately one minute with no substantive policy matters discussed.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate staffing and public relations strategies, including the management of First Lady Pat Nixon's upcoming trips and regional political outreach efforts. They also discussed the professional development and salary adjustments for staff members within the First Lady's office, specifically addressing the compensation of Julie Robinson relative to her colleagues. Additionally, the President reviewed administrative concerns regarding Senator Edward Gurney's relationship with the White House and potential public outreach opportunities at Glacier National Park.
Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative matters regarding the President’s daily schedule. The discussion focused on logistical planning for upcoming appointments and operational arrangements for the executive office. No substantive policy decisions were reached during this brief organizational meeting.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage pending administrative tasks. Key discussions centered on the timeline for an urgent appropriations bill and the logistics of a White House tour for broadcaster Paul Harvey. Nixon sought to streamline these appointments to accommodate upcoming meetings with the Council of Economic Advisers and other staff members.
President Nixon summoned the White House operator to his office to assist with initiating a telephone call. The exchange serves as a brief administrative interaction to facilitate communication. No substantive policy matters or political developments were addressed during this short encounter.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury John Connally discussed the implementation schedule for a major economic policy plan, confirming the intent to proceed with their original timeline rather than accelerating it. The participants touched upon administrative logistics and the necessity of coordinating with the Joint Chiefs regarding budget preparations. They concluded the brief exchange by finalizing travel plans and affirming their commitment to the established strategic agenda.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield coordinate the logistics and movement of a visitor through the White House residence. The brief exchange focuses on ensuring the individual’s arrival and departure are managed discreetly, including confirming the visitor's awareness of their schedule. The discussion concludes with procedural instructions regarding the guest's path through the executive complex.
President Nixon met with Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. and George P. Shultz to discuss budget overages in the Agriculture and Labor-HEW appropriations bills. The participants evaluated the political feasibility of a veto, concluding that the Labor-HEW bill lacked the necessary support to sustain a veto while the Agriculture bill presented a difficult political optics challenge due to attached HUD water and sewer grants. Ultimately, the President decided to sign the bills rather than pursue a veto, opting instead to direct agencies like the OMB to manage budget outlays through administrative strategies such as impounding funds or delaying grants.
President Nixon dictates a letter to his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, addressed to Senator Norris Cotton regarding a recent trip to New Hampshire. The conversation shifts to a discussion about a recent White House church service and the President's explicit refusal to cooperate with the New York Times. Nixon expresses clear resentment toward the newspaper, emphasizing that his staff was instructed to avoid assisting them with their reporting.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to conduct an administrative review of his daily schedule. This brief session served to manage the President's upcoming commitments and logistical arrangements within the Oval Office. No major policy initiatives were recorded, as the discussion remained focused on routine executive time management.
President Nixon met with broadcaster Paul Harvey and aide Harry S. Dent to discuss the cultural divide in America, specifically contrasting the "liberal elite" with the values of the nation's "heartland" and working class. The conversation focused on the influence of media, academia, and religion on public opinion regarding the Vietnam War, law enforcement, and traditional patriotism. Nixon articulated his belief that political success depended on appealing to the middle and working classes who remained committed to traditional values despite the influence of the intellectual establishment.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to address administrative matters concerning the President's daily schedule. Specifically, the discussion centered on coordinating a meeting with Thomas R. Shepard, Jr. The brief exchange served to finalize these scheduling arrangements for the President's calendar.
President Nixon met with Thomas R. Shepard, Jr. and H.R. Haldeman to discuss strategies for addressing the perceived moral crisis and lack of leadership within the American intellectual and opinion-making classes. Nixon expressed deep frustration with the media, academia, and business elites, characterizing them as self-destructive and lacking the conviction of the 'silent majority.' The conversation focused on the need to cultivate a more patriotic, constructive narrative to counteract the negative influence of these groups, with Nixon encouraging Shepard to continue using his public platform to advocate for these values.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to confer with the President regarding security protocols and operational oversight. During the brief interaction, the participants engaged in a dialogue centered on the veracity of specific intelligence or procedural information. The encounter concluded with the agents exiting the office to continue their assigned duties.
President Nixon met with unidentified Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to briefly discuss seating arrangements. The brief interaction focused on logistics regarding the President’s location within the room. No further substantive policy or operational discussions were recorded during this session.