Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 634
Nixon White House Tape 634 (December 9, 1971)
20 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 11 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Bull, Kissinger, Haig
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on the legislative progress of a pending tax bill. Nixon discussed the necessity of contacting Representative Wilbur D. Mills to secure the bill's passage. Butterfield was tasked with facilitating the communication and managing the timing of this engagement.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to discuss the placement of obstacles or physical barriers. The brief exchange focused on the logistics of clearing or positioning items in the middle of a street. No major policy decisions were made beyond these logistical arrangements.
President Nixon met with Congressman Wilbur D. Mills to exchange congratulations regarding the successful passage of pending legislation, likely related to economic or tax policy. The brief discussion served to affirm their ongoing collaboration, with Mills expressing his readiness to intervene or provide further support if the legislative process requires additional executive pressure. Nixon acknowledged the congressman's contributions, solidifying the coordination strategy for the remainder of the session.
President Nixon initiates a brief communication through the White House operator to place an outgoing call. The interaction serves as a functional request to connect with an individual in Burns, Wisconsin. No substantive policy discussions or political developments occur during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman coordinated the President's upcoming schedule, specifically discussing travel logistics to Florida and the management of high-level meetings. The President expressed frustration with staff, particularly over unauthorized scheduling of a meeting with an ambassador to receive a letter, and raised concerns regarding the physical and mental exhaustion of Henry Kissinger. They also touched upon legislative updates regarding tax bills and broader economic indicators such as inflation and unemployment.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly met to discuss administrative arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Hubert Maga. The President specifically inquired about the logistics of obtaining photographs for the event. Nixon directed Bull to coordinate with Ronald L. Ziegler regarding these visual materials.
President Nixon met with Hubert Maga of Dahomey, accompanied by Sophia K. Porson and Alexander M. Haig, Jr., to discuss international relations, foreign aid, and bilateral cooperation. The conversation focused on Dahomey’s alignment with U.S. positions at the United Nations, the importance of sovereign principles over national size in global affairs, and agricultural and urban development challenges in Dahomey exacerbated by drought and supply issues. The leaders addressed Congressional opposition to foreign aid and discussed Dahomey’s request for U.S. support regarding international labor appointments and peace efforts in the Middle East as recommended by the Organization of African Unity.
President Nixon met with his personal aide Manolo Sanchez and staffer Stephen B. Bull to discuss a scheduled engagement with Ambassador Jaime Arguelles. The brief exchange focused on coordinating the logistics of the meeting, with mention of General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.'s involvement in the arrangements. No major policy decisions were reached, as the conversation served primarily as a brief administrative coordination regarding the President's daily schedule.
President Nixon met with Jaime Arguelles and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss a letter from Spanish leader Francisco Franco regarding Spain's position on Law of the Sea negotiations. Beyond the diplomatic correspondence, the conversation largely consisted of pleasantries and an exchange of personal regards. The President fondly recalled his previous visit to Spain and extended an open invitation for Franco’s grandchildren to contact the White House if they visit the United States.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Manolo Sanchez to coordinate the timing and protocol for an upcoming federal judgeship announcement. The President confirmed his intention to proceed with the announcement and attended to administrative tasks, including the signing of a letter or bill. The brief session concluded with the departure of Butterfield and Sanchez after these procedural matters were addressed.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to refine the administration's response to the escalating India-Pakistan conflict, specifically regarding a letter to be sent to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The discussion focused on discouraging Indian military aggression against West Pakistan and leveraging potential trade consequences to exert pressure. Nixon directed Kissinger to keep the communication firm and direct, explicitly avoiding a prolonged debate over the technical details of ongoing negotiations.
President Nixon met with Soviet officials Vladimir Matskevich and Yuli Vorontsov, alongside Henry Kissinger, to discuss the deteriorating India-Pakistan conflict and its potential to derail broader US-Soviet relations. Nixon emphasized that while the Soviet Union might gain influence through India's military success, such a result risked jeopardizing key diplomatic initiatives, including upcoming summits, trade agreements, and arms control talks. Following the Soviet delegates' departure, Nixon and Kissinger strategized on using a naval task force to signal American resolve while pressuring India for assurances against further territorial expansion in West Pakistan.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming daily schedule and arrange briefings with key advisors. They specifically discussed the logistics for an impending meeting with Treasury Secretary John B. Connally and a phone call with Henry A. Kissinger. Additionally, Nixon initiated plans for a follow-up conversation with John D. Ehrlichman regarding the veto message for the Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1971.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to finalize the veto message regarding the Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1971. The brief discussion focused on reviewing the contents of the drafted message to ensure it met the President's requirements. Following this review, the participants reached a consensus to proceed with the planned veto.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the escalating India-Pakistan conflict and the potential necessity of U.S. intervention with the Soviet Union. Nixon affirmed his commitment to supporting Pakistan despite contrary diplomatic advice and concerns regarding the upcoming Moscow Summit. The two strategized on how to pressure the USSR to restrain India from invading West Pakistan, establishing a fallback position should their initial efforts fail.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury John Connally met to strategize on impending international monetary negotiations and domestic tax legislation. Connally advised the President on the necessity of securing trade concessions and achieving currency realignment before agreeing to remove the import surcharge or modifying the gold standard. They specifically discussed the political strategy for upcoming bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, including French President Georges Pompidou, aiming to leverage US economic standing to reach a favorable multilateral agreement.
President Nixon held a brief meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss his upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was a request for a future meeting with a specific person. No other details were recorded regarding the identity of the interlocutor or the nature of the requested engagement.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative details regarding the President's schedule. Their discussion focused specifically on the processing and handling of a pending veto message. The brief exchange served as a logistical update to ensure staff were prepared to execute the required documentation.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed strategies to manage the India-Pakistan conflict, focusing on orchestrating a ceasefire and a potential joint U.S.-USSR appeal to preserve West Pakistan. They assessed the geopolitical risks to the upcoming Moscow Summit and agreed to maintain a hardline stance against Indian aggression, including providing financial aid to Indonesia to counterbalance India's regional influence. Additionally, the President issued instructions regarding an upcoming meeting with conservative members of Congress about the defense budget and authorized Kissinger to explore a potential international monetary deal with French President Georges Pompidou.
Secret Service agents met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to coordinate security logistics and verify the President’s location. The brief exchange focused on confirming the President’s transition to the residence and addressing administrative communication protocols via the office buzzer system. The conversation concluded with the agents exiting the office shortly thereafter.