Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 659
Nixon White House Tape 659 (January 28, 1972)
23 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Ziegler, White House photographer
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate White House public relations strategies, focusing on the announcement of Marina von Neumann Whitman to the Council of Economic Advisers and potential attendance at a sickle cell anemia fundraiser. The discussion pivoted to a broader political strategy involving a 'vicious' counterattack against Vietnam critics, framing them as advocates of surrender and supporters of a communist government. Nixon stressed the importance of aggressive, unified messaging and expressed frustration with Henry Kissinger’s reluctance to utilize staff expertise—specifically that of John Scali—in refining public communication regarding peace initiatives.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss managing media optics and political criticism surrounding the administration’s Vietnam policy and upcoming diplomatic activities. Kissinger addressed North Vietnam’s use of selective record excerpts to manipulate the narrative on POW negotiations, and the pair planned a briefing for Ronald Ziegler to clarify the U.S. position on cease-fire terms versus the enemy’s demands. Additionally, they reviewed strategy regarding Rainer Barzel’s opposition to West German treaties, agreeing to maintain a neutral stance to avoid unnecessary involvement in German domestic affairs while leveraging the situation for future diplomatic gains with the Soviet Union.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and West German politician Rainer Barzel to discuss the current state of Vietnam peace negotiations, Soviet foreign policy, and U.S.-European relations. Nixon emphasized a pragmatic, unsentimental approach to diplomacy, warning that the Soviet Union remains focused on fragmenting European unity and neutralizing West Germany despite superficial changes in tone. The discussion also addressed the upcoming presidential trips to China and the Soviet Union, with Nixon reaffirming that the U.S. would not compromise its commitments to NATO or the security of the Federal Republic of Germany.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Stephen Bull met to coordinate the administration's public relations strategy following Nixon’s January 25 Vietnam peace proposal speech. They discussed favorable French press coverage and planned media engagement, specifically regarding upcoming *Time* and *Life* magazine features and interviews with journalist Jerrold Schecter. Additionally, the group reviewed administrative scheduling, including the signing of executive orders and updates regarding the health of Secretary of the Treasury John Connally.
President Nixon met with administration officials, including Myles J. Ambrose, John N. Mitchell, and Dr. Jerome H. Jaffe, to formalize the launch of a comprehensive federal drug enforcement initiative. The discussion focused on a three-pronged strategy involving international supply control, treatment and prevention programs, and intensified law enforcement efforts against drug traffickers. Nixon formally appointed Ambrose to lead these consolidated enforcement activities, emphasizing the administration's commitment to aggressively pursuing drug pushers as a top priority.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and various guests to preside over the presentation of the Encyclopedia Judaica, which included discussions on U.S.-Israeli relations and the significance of Jewish heritage. Following the ceremony, Nixon and Ehrlichman transitioned into a private strategy session regarding domestic policy, specifically addressing the administration's stance on busing, the potential for a constitutional amendment, and the political implications of housing integration. They also evaluated ongoing projects, including the Bicentennial park proposal and the political viability of implementing a Value Added Tax (VAT) in an election year.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistics for a White House dinner honoring DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, focusing on protocol, lighting, and the President's toast. The discussion also addressed the administration's stance on magazine postal subsidies, specifically ensuring industry support for the legislative package. Furthermore, Nixon and his staff decided to postpone efforts to revive the Supersonic Transport (SST) project until after the upcoming election, prioritizing it instead as a key initiative for his potential second term.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to finalize the logistics and program details for an upcoming formal dinner involving the Wallaces. They discussed the sequence for toasts, the handling of the musical entertainment, and the necessity of preparing a typed script to ensure the President could read his remarks clearly during the event. The conversation also included a brief administrative request to facilitate a phone call for Joanne Goldwater Ross regarding her wedding.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, discuss the climate settings within the Oval Office. The conversation centers on a disagreement regarding the room's temperature, with the President suggesting it feels warm while Sanchez perceives it as cold. No policy or administrative decisions were made during this brief exchange regarding the environment of the workspace.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Stephen B. Bull to finalize the seating arrangements and logistics for a White House dinner honoring DeWitt and Lila Wallace. The discussion focused on balancing the guest list to ensure a lively atmosphere while navigating the last-minute attendance changes caused by a flu outbreak. Additionally, the President reviewed various administrative matters, including incoming correspondence, potential fundraising requests, and his own upcoming travel and scheduling preferences.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods confer to finalize the guest list for an upcoming White House dinner honoring DeWitt and Lila Wallace. The discussion focuses on balancing the attendance of high-profile political figures, such as the Mitchells and various cabinet members, with the logistical challenge of filling remaining tables. Nixon and Woods deliberate on potential last-minute additions to ensure the event's social success and political utility.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss personal logistical arrangements and social planning. The conversation focused on identifying suitable individuals for a specific event or engagement while ensuring the details remained confidential to maintain an element of surprise. Nixon provided instructions regarding potential attendees, specifically expressing interest in including single men and specific associates of the Walson family.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met briefly to coordinate logistical details regarding the President’s schedule and an upcoming photography session with Oliver F. Atkins. The discussion focused on managing the timing of these commitments, with the President directing that the session occur following his meeting with the Attorney General. The participants reached a consensus on the scheduling adjustment before Ziegler concluded the meeting.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review and finalize the President’s upcoming daily schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was coordinating logistics for a scheduled meeting with John N. Mitchell. Bull departed the Oval Office shortly thereafter, having completed the administrative briefing.
President Nixon consulted with an unknown individual regarding a birthday acknowledgment for Foster G. McGaw. The discussion centered on a reminder provided by Maurice H. Stans to ensure the President recognized the milestone. The brief meeting concluded with instructions to facilitate a meeting with the individual in question.
President Nixon, John Mitchell, and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate the transition of the Attorney General’s office, specifically timing Mitchell’s resignation to coincide with the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Mitchell advocated for the simultaneous Senate confirmation of Richard Kleindienst as his successor and L. Patrick Gray as Deputy Attorney General, expressing confidence in their approval despite potential political opposition. The participants also discussed administrative matters, including the presentation of the Encyclopedia Judaica to Martha Mitchell and the political outreach efforts involving Max Fisher.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming photo feature in Life magazine. They discussed the inclusion of Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler and National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger in the session. The brief meeting focused on integrating these photography sessions into the President's existing schedule.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief exchange. Their conversation focused on mundane logistical matters, specifically regarding a briefcase and the residence, alongside a casual comment about the current weather. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this short interaction.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review photographs intended for an upcoming Life magazine feature. The discussion centered on images of Henry Kissinger and those taken by White House photographer Oliver Atkins. The President evaluated these visual materials to finalize selections for the publication.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met with photographer Ollie Atkins to pose for promotional images before transitioning to a strategic review of foreign policy and public relations. Kissinger updated the President on recent discussions with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin regarding the upcoming Moscow summit, arms control, and potential Vietnam peace proposals. The pair also analyzed the domestic political response to Nixon's recent peace plan, expressing frustration with press criticism while noting broad public support despite media preoccupation with Kissinger's role as a secret emissary.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and an unidentified individual to facilitate a brief introduction. The primary purpose of this encounter was to introduce Frank A. Bonadio, a prominent labor leader, to the President. The meeting concluded shortly after these formalities were exchanged without significant policy discussion.
United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office while President Nixon was located in the Cabinet Room. The interaction involved coordination between agents and unidentified individuals regarding security logistics or administrative matters. Due to the absence of a transcript, no specific policy decisions or substantive developments were recorded.
Secret Service agents and unidentified individuals discuss the complexities of maintaining operational security regarding presidential travel routes and secret logistical arrangements. The conversation highlights the value of managing information disclosure to foster trust and political rapport with foreign counterparts, specifically referencing previous interactions with French officials. The participants reflect on the importance of controlled leaks and selective credit-sharing as strategic tools in high-level diplomacy.