Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 622
Nixon White House Tape 622 (November 22, 1971)
16 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 13 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haldeman, Sanchez, Butterfield, Lewis
In this Oval Office meeting, President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinate U.S. foreign policy regarding the escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan. Kissinger expresses frustration with the State Department's perceived insubordination, advocating for a firmer stance against Indian military aggression while aligning more closely with Pakistani interests and Chinese diplomatic positions. The President directs Kissinger to issue sharp, clear warnings to both India and the Soviet Union regarding U.S. expectations, while strategically delaying UN Security Council involvement to better assess Chinese objectives.
President Nixon met with Hobart D. Lewis, the editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest, to discuss the possibility of a feature or interview piece for the magazine's upcoming 50th anniversary. The two men also touched upon political challenges, including concerns regarding board stability and legislative strategy. Nixon emphasized his commitment to maintaining a firm stance on controversial issues while coordinating with Lewis on the messaging strategy for the publication.
President Nixon utilized this session in the Oval Office to dictate a memorandum and review recorded materials. The discussion, which included brief personal commentary regarding the appearance and attire of an unidentified individual in Miami, served primarily as a private administrative exercise. No major policy decisions or significant external developments were recorded during this brief period of dictation and playback.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a logistical necessity for the President to connect with another party. No substantive policy discussions or significant political decisions were recorded during this connection process.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to address routine personal requests. During this brief encounter, the two discussed the service of tea for the President. The meeting concluded quickly without any significant policy developments or administrative action items.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum regarding aesthetic changes to the Oval Office. He notes the recent removal of white curtains from the windows and discusses the appearance of the trees visible outside. The remarks appear to be informal observations intended for administrative staff concerning the room's decor and atmosphere.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor discuss the political implications of upcoming legislation and its effect on party dynamics. They examine potential strategies for managing congressional opposition and the impact of fundraising pressures on the political landscape. The conversation concludes with an assessment of the legislative timeline and the risks posed by party defections.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator connect him to an individual located in the White House hall. This brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to facilitate an immediate follow-up conversation. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this short administrative exchange.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate telephonic communications. The exchange served primarily as a logistical step to connect the President with a specific party. No substantive policy discussions or significant political decisions were recorded during this brief connectivity process.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly discuss the necessity of Treasury Secretary John Connally's involvement in an ongoing matter. Nixon expresses his intent to intervene in the situation and instructs Haldeman to provide a comprehensive briefing later that evening. The exchange highlights the President's desire to manage the process personally while seeking counsel to prepare for upcoming decisions.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum analyzing current political challenges, focusing on his recent reception at the AFL-CIO convention and public reaction to foreign policy developments. He addresses concerns regarding declining public approval ratings linked to the recent United Nations vote, which he views as a significant political liability. The President also evaluates how his upcoming diplomatic trips to China and the Soviet Union might influence public perception and Democratic electoral prospects.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the administration's tense relationship with organized labor and the potential resignation of George Meany from the Pay Board. They reviewed contingency plans for replacing labor representatives and discussed the President's strategy for managing economic controls and public perception. Additionally, the two reviewed the status of pending tax legislation, upcoming media interview requests, and long-term polling trends compared to the Kennedy administration.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics. The discussion focused specifically on the scheduling and calendar arrangements for John D. Ehrlichman. The brief encounter served as a routine internal management session to align the President's staff priorities.
President Nixon held a brief, informal interaction with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, during which he inquired about Sanchez's personal opinion of the French. Sanchez expressed a negative view, suggesting that the French held an inflated sense of their own importance. The conversation concluded shortly after this exchange without any formal policy decisions.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate White House strategy following the President's recent, confrontational address to the AFL-CIO convention. The discussion emphasized maintaining a hard-line stance against labor leadership, while capitalizing on positive public reception of the President's perceived strength. Additionally, they reviewed domestic policy projects, including the potential creation of national parks at Catalina Island and Greenbelt, Maryland, and discussed the President's intent to express support for the FBI's success in arresting individuals involved in the murder of police officers.
President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, and unidentified participants engage in a brief, informal exchange characterized by repetitive phrasing regarding specific individuals. The discussion lacks substantive policy content and appears to involve the identification or categorization of people present in the room. No formal decisions or significant developments occur during this two-minute recording.