Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 603
Nixon White House Tape 603 (October 27, 1971)
7 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 41 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Ziegler, Bull, Butterfield, Haldeman
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including Henry Kissinger, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler, to discuss the political fallout of the United Nations' vote to expel Taiwan and seat the People's Republic of China. Nixon expressed frustration with the State Department and perceived efforts by Secretary of State William Rogers to undermine his China policy and independent diplomatic efforts. The group focused on controlling the narrative regarding the UN vote, specifically by emphasizing the 'shocking' and 'disrespectful' conduct of delegates who celebrated the U.S. defeat, rather than dwelling on the vote itself, to channel public and Congressional anger away from the administration. Consequently, they decided to adopt a low-key approach regarding future announcements of Nixon’s China trip and to avoid a public, high-level meeting with Ambassador George H.W. Bush to minimize media speculation.
President Nixon held a brief, one-minute consultation with a White House operator to facilitate a connection for an outgoing telephone call. This interaction served purely administrative purposes to manage the President's immediate communications. No substantive policy discussions or decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Tricia Nixon Cox to discuss administrative logistics and political concerns, including the appropriate frequency of the First Family's use of government JetStar aircraft to avoid public scrutiny. The group also addressed the recent United Nations vote regarding Taiwan, expressing frustration over the conduct of delegates during the proceedings. Additionally, they reviewed scheduling matters, campaign-related travel for Tricia, and the selection of an official portrait photograph for the President and First Lady.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the administration's public response to the United Nations vote expelling Taiwan. Ziegler reviewed his recent press briefing, during which he condemned the "shocking" behavior of delegates who celebrated the outcome, effectively distancing the White House from the issue to prevent further damage. They agreed to move past the topic quickly and focus on upcoming developments, specifically Henry Kissinger’s briefing regarding the President’s pending visit to the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to finalize scheduling arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Charles W. Colson. The brief discussion served to coordinate the timing of Colson's arrival and manage the President's immediate calendar. Bull subsequently departed the Oval Office to facilitate these administrative tasks.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and Ronald Ziegler to discuss the diplomatic and domestic fallout following the United Nations vote to expel Taiwan. The participants focused on managing public reaction to the behavior of UN delegates, potential legislative retaliation regarding foreign aid, and the strategic framing of the issue for American conservatives. Additionally, the group reviewed economic indicators, including wage and price policies, and discussed upcoming outreach strategies to mitigate political criticism.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson and Ronald Ziegler to discuss the strategic framing of the recent United Nations vote to expel Taiwan. They focused on leveraging public outrage regarding the perceived hostility of the UN delegates to bolster support for the President’s leadership and his new economic policy. Nixon and his advisors decided to have George H.W. Bush speak to friendly columnists to emphasize the administration's active efforts to fight the expulsion, while maintaining the President's public stance of supporting the UN institution despite his frustration with its actions.