Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 572
Nixon White House Tape 572 (September 14, 1971)
15 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 39 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, United States Secret Service agents, Haldeman, White House photographer
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met with Gerald Ford and staff to review the President's upcoming schedule and discuss the political fallout of the recent Attica State Prison riot. Nixon and Haldeman defended New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller's handling of the situation, specifically praising the use of force and rejecting the necessity of amnesty for the inmates. Additionally, the group briefly critiqued a local Washington, D.C. environmental initiative involving bike lanes on Rock Creek Parkway, dismissing the project as a costly inconvenience to commuters.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to address an urgent, though unidentified, medical emergency involving an individual's health. The discussion focused on coordinating an immediate response, including instructions to contact emergency services. The brief exchange concluded with the agents clearing the area after addressing the crisis.
President Nixon met with Senator Gordon Allott and other administration and congressional officials to secure the passage of the military draft extension bill. The discussion focused on overcoming legislative stalemates, specifically the concerns surrounding the Mansfield Amendment and the threat of a Senate filibuster. Nixon emphasized that extending the draft was critical to maintaining the United States' international standing and global leverage, and he committed to personally lobbying Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to reach a resolution.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics and secure the space for an upcoming event or meeting. The discussion focused primarily on vacating the room to prepare for the President's subsequent activities. The agents successfully finalized the transition, vacating the office shortly thereafter to ensure the space was cleared.
President Nixon met with U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Francis J. Galbraith and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss the political and economic climate in Indonesia under President Suharto. The discussion focused on balancing economic and military aid to ensure Indonesia’s regional stability while navigating concerns regarding the U.S. approach to the People's Republic of China. Nixon emphasized the necessity of maintaining military support for Indonesia despite conflicting views within the Foreign Service, and Galbraith provided an update on Indonesian perspectives regarding the Vietnam War and American withdrawal.
Secret Service agents met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to coordinate security logistics and movements. The brief exchange focused on verifying the President's immediate location and schedule requirements. The interaction concluded with a commitment to remain in communication regarding ongoing protective arrangements.
President Nixon met with an unidentified Secret Service agent in the Oval Office to discuss matters related to the President's security and movements. The brief exchange reflects coordination regarding the President's upcoming transition to the Cabinet Room. The majority of the conversation remains restricted under federal statutes protecting sensitive security protocols.
President Nixon met with his senior staff and other officials to coordinate legislative strategy, manage public relations, and oversee administrative appointments. Key discussions included the use of polling data to pressure members of Congress on pending tax and pay legislation, the need for Cabinet members to adopt more aggressive public stances against political opponents like Edmund Muskie, and the management of White House press relations. The President also reviewed personnel matters within the military aide office and logistical arrangements for upcoming events and appearances.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield discuss the selection and acquisition of specific photographs, referencing notes provided by Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The conversation centers on clarifying which photos have been designated for purchase versus those previously handled by Rose Mary Woods. Nixon instructs Butterfield to ensure that the specific selections made by his daughter are prioritized and finalized.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate protocol and media logistics for the arrival of Prince and Princess Hitachi. They reviewed the formal titles required for addressing the royal couple and finalized arrangements for the presence of photographers during the ceremony. The discussion ensured that the official welcome proceeded according to standard diplomatic expectations.
President Nixon met with Prince and Princess Hitachi of Japan to facilitate diplomatic relations, discuss the Prince's upcoming tour of the United States, and exchange views on international affairs. The conversation covered the importance of U.S.-Japan relations for global peace, the impact of royal visits on foreign diplomacy, and the Prince's interest in cancer research. The meeting also featured personal exchanges regarding their respective families and the President's past visits to Japan.
President Nixon met with Senate leaders Mike Mansfield and Hugh Scott to discuss the legislative agenda and foreign policy, specifically emphasizing the urgent need to extend the military draft. Nixon explained that securing the draft extension was vital for his leverage in sensitive arms control negotiations and maintaining his credibility with the Soviet Union and China. The participants also reviewed the status of major domestic bills, including welfare reform and government reorganization, while discussing the international reaction to Nixon's recent economic policies and the complexities of Middle East diplomacy.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his late-afternoon scheduling and upcoming appointments. The discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for meetings with Henry A. Kissinger and George P. Shultz. The President also factored in time for a personal grooming appointment with his barber during the briefing.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull to finalize scheduling and logistical details regarding his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The discussion centered on the timing of her upcoming visit and the selection of new, professional family portraits to display in the Oval Office. Nixon directed his staff to review and select the best images from the photographer Ollie Atkins for immediate use.
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss administrative staffing, specifically replacing a director at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with Paul O'Neill. They also address ongoing labor tensions, specifically a West Coast dock strike and the administration's considerations regarding a potential Taft-Hartley intervention. Additionally, the pair evaluates the effectiveness of the current wage-price freeze and strategies for pressuring banks to lower interest rates to bolster public confidence in the economy.