Conversation 702-010

On April 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 6:01 pm to 6:18 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 702-010 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 702-10

Date: April 4, 1972
Time: 6:01 pm - 6:18 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.

     The President's meeting with Russell A. Kirk
          -Book

     Vietnam
          -Weather
                -Reports
          -Air strikes
                -Initiation
                -Effectiveness
                -Public support
          -North Vietnamese offensive
                -Demilitarized Zone [DMZ] crossing

H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman entered at 6:03 pm.

                -Washington Star headlines
                     -Offensive
                -Wire service leaks
                     -Department of Defense
                     -Department of State
                     -White House
                -Violation of 1954 and 1968 agreements
                -Uniqueness
                -Public relations efforts

Ziegler left at 6:03 pm.

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 1m 10s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

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                                 -ITT [International Telephone and Telegraph]
                                      -Money

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 25s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3

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     Speeches
          -Henry A. Kissinger invitation
               -Frank Stanton
               -Station owners
                     -Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS] affiliates
                          -Program rights
                                -Local news
                          -Editorials
                          -Support for the President
               -Approval

     Mitchell
          -Control of campaign

               -ITT case
                    -Diversion

    1972 campaign
         -Finances
              -Mitchell's concerns
              -Congressional guidelines
              -John W. Gardner
              -List of contributors
                    -Release
              -Mailings
              -Handling
              -List of contributors
                    -Release
         -The President's posture
              -Major issues
                    -Vietnam

    Vietnam
         -Kissinger
         -Negotiations
         -Bombing
         -Stakes of war
              -Consequences of defeat
                    -Viability of US foreign policy
                         -Credibility

    Education
        -Forthcoming speech to the National Catholic Education Association [NCEA]
              -Speech draft
                   -John D. Ehrlichman
                   -Delivery to the President
                   -The President's review
                        -Executive Office Building [EOB]
                   -Contents
                        -John Cardinal Krol
                              -Conversation with Charles W. Colson

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 1m 17s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 5

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     ITT case
          -Haldeman’s discussion with Mitchell

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6
[Personal returnable]
[Duration: 2m 13s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6

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     The President's schedule
          -Trip to Philadelphia
                -Krol
                -Reception

The President and Haldeman left at 6:18 pm.