Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 854
Nixon White House Tape 854 (February 13, 1973)
38 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 36 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Sanchez, Ziegler, Scowcroft
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a phone call to Colonel Reisner, a resident of Oklahoma City. The brief exchange focused on confirming the spelling of the name and clarifying the status of the Colonel's spouse. The primary objective was to successfully initiate a connection with the intended party.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to conduct brief administrative business. The discussion focused on logistical matters regarding John D. Ehrlichman's office space. No major policy developments occurred during the short exchange.
President Nixon telephoned Mrs. Robinson Risner to express his profound gratitude and pride regarding the return of her husband, Colonel Robinson Risner, a recently released prisoner of war. Nixon praised the Colonel's heroism and acknowledged the critical role that the families of POWs played in maintaining national resolve during the conflict. The President urged the family to prioritize the Colonel’s rest and recovery before any formal recognition ceremonies, even offering lighthearted advice on his post-captivity diet.
President Nixon met with Mrs. Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr. to offer his gratitude and support following the imminent return of her husband, a Vietnam prisoner of war. The President praised the resilience of POW families in helping secure an honorable end to the conflict and assured Mrs. Denton that returning servicemen would be reunited with their families as quickly as medical evaluations permitted. Nixon emphasized the importance of the men readjusting to civilian life after their long captivity.
President Nixon initiates a brief request to the White House operator to place a telephone call to Mrs. Leonard Johnson. This interaction serves as a routine administrative step for the President to facilitate personal or official communication. No further substantive policy matters or decisions are recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and former First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson discuss the return of American prisoners of war and the appropriate way to honor the occasion. Nixon proposes raising the American flag to full-mast from its current half-mast position to signify the joy of the soldiers' homecoming, reflecting the sentiment that the late President Lyndon B. Johnson would have desired such a tribute. Nixon commits to consulting legal counsel regarding the protocol for flying the flag before proceeding with an official announcement.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling of upcoming meetings with H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler. The conversation focused on the logistics of an arriving group, specifically noting that a second bus would reach the White House within fifteen minutes. This brief exchange served to facilitate the immediate management of the President's morning appointments and personnel arrivals.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler reviewed news coverage, specifically discussing journalistic criticism directed toward the administration. The conversation pivoted to the logistics of ending the official mourning period for the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, incorporating feedback from Lady Bird Johnson regarding flag protocols. They ultimately decided to issue a formal public statement that would simultaneously serve as a tribute to the former president and acknowledge the return of prisoners of war.
President Nixon held a brief meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual. The discussion primarily consisted of the President expressing his thanks to the participant. No other policy matters or substantive actions were documented during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to discuss logistical preparations regarding the reception of returning prisoners of war. The conversation focused on the identification of specific POW leaders, including Captain Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., and the coordination of transport aircraft for their return. No final policy decisions were finalized, but the exchange highlighted the logistical focus on managing the high-profile return of these individuals.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed the status of recently released prisoners of war, specifically focusing on Captain James A. Mulligan, Jr. and another returnee named Strunk. The President reviewed details regarding statements made by the repatriated individuals upon their arrival from South Vietnam. Bull provided updates on communication efforts with the families and the involvement of General Brent Scowcroft in managing the information flow.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified associate regarding the well-being and status of spouses of American prisoners of war (POWs). The discussion focused on confirming the current condition of specific women, including Mrs. Robinson Risner, Mrs. Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., and Mrs. James A. Mulligan, Jr. The participants briefly exchanged updates to ensure these individuals were being properly managed or accounted for during the sensitive period of the POW repatriation process.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a phone call to Mrs. James Mulligan, the wife of a recently returned Navy captain. The purpose of the request is to facilitate a conversation with the spouse of a returning service member. This interaction highlights the President's personal involvement in outreach efforts regarding military personnel returning from duty.
President Nixon met with Mrs. James A. Mulligan, Jr. to express his gratitude for the support and faith provided by the families of prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. The President praised the recent public statements made by returning servicemen, including Mrs. Mulligan's husband, and emphasized that their sacrifices were instrumental in achieving peace in the region. Nixon reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing prisoner release schedule and expressed optimism regarding the future stability of South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule and administrative preparations. Their discussion centered on coordinating a meeting involving Charles Colson and H.R. Haldeman, as well as timing for a legislative message and a related radio announcement. They ultimately decided to schedule a briefing or announcement for 12:00 p.m.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual in the Oval Office for a brief interaction. The brief, seven-minute exchange consisted of standard greetings and the delivery of unspecified materials or information. No substantive policy discussions or significant presidential directives were recorded during this encounter.
President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to discuss Colson’s upcoming diplomatic travel to the Soviet Union and Romania, as well as broader issues of administration strategy. The conversation covered political public relations, specifically the need to project strength regarding the recent return of Vietnam POWs and a firm stance against amnesty for draft dodgers and deserters. Additionally, they reviewed personnel appointments for the Department of Labor and Commerce, emphasizing the necessity of hiring staff with political loyalty over neutral systems analysts, while also strategizing on how to manage potential congressional investigations into the Watergate scandal.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinated a public relations strategy surrounding the return of American prisoners of war (POWs). They discussed issuing a presidential proclamation to raise flags to full staff upon the arrival of the POWs on U.S. soil, a gesture intended to serve as a positive national event. Additionally, they consulted with Lady Bird Johnson regarding the announcement and reviewed talking points prepared by staff, including David Gergen, while noting concerns about potential controversies regarding the conduct of some POWs during their imprisonment.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman, George Shultz, and other staff to discuss economic policy, personnel appointments, and administration public relations strategy. The discussion centered on managing the ongoing international monetary crisis, the devaluation of the dollar, and the necessity of passing new trade legislation to address economic imbalances. Nixon emphasized a need for calm, steady leadership to combat public and corporate uncertainty, while also navigating labor relations with figures like Frank Fitzsimmons to build support for the administration's trade agenda.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to coordinate logistics for a scheduled photo session with Ambassador John A. Scali. They discussed moving the shoot to the Rose Garden to take advantage of the pleasant weather. The President directed Bull to inform relevant staff of the change in venue before the participants proceeded with the walk and subsequent meeting.
President Nixon met with incoming UN Ambassador John A. Scali and General Brent Scowcroft to discuss strategies for representing U.S. interests within the United Nations. Nixon emphasized that Scali should adopt a pragmatic approach, defend U.S. foreign policy, and actively challenge the 'double standard' often applied to the United States by smaller nations. The discussion also covered logistical improvements for the UN mission staff, the status of Vietnam POWs, and the administration's firm stance against international subversion, particularly regarding Cuba.
President Nixon met briefly with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage administrative logistics. The discussion centered on arrangements for a telephone call with Julie Nixon Eisenhower and the handling of incoming messages regarding corsages. The brief exchange concluded with the President and Bull addressing minor clerical items before Bull departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, coordinate plans for a Valentine’s Day celebration for First Lady Pat Nixon. The President seeks Julie's advice on whether to host a dinner out or stay in, ultimately deciding to frame an outing as a Valentine’s surprise. The conversation focuses on scheduling and logistics to ensure the First Lady has a pleasant evening.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a logistical plan for sending floral arrangements and personalized messages to the wives and mothers of returning prisoners of war. The discussion also addressed adjustments to the President's upcoming schedule, specifically prioritizing meetings with Donald Rumsfeld regarding his NATO assignment and Richard Helms prior to his departure. Nixon finalized these scheduling priorities, emphasizing the need for photographic records of these personnel transitions.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinate a brief meeting or phone call with Donald Rumsfeld before his departure for Brussels. Nixon expresses a desire to bid Rumsfeld farewell, tasking Bull with determining whether a personal meeting at the National Airport or a telephone call would be more convenient given Rumsfeld’s travel schedule. The discussion serves as a logistical arrangement to facilitate this brief high-level interaction.
President Nixon met with General Brent Scowcroft and Stephen B. Bull to review the status of Henry Kissinger’s ongoing negotiations with North Vietnam and discuss the political implications of a proposed anti-hijacking agreement with Cuba. The President expressed concerns regarding how the timing of the Cuban agreement might affect U.S. relations with the People's Republic of China, leading him to request a meeting with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to coordinate the public rollout. Additionally, Nixon addressed the sensitive issue of returning prisoners of war, directing that no information regarding potential collaborators be released to avoid jeopardizing the positive public narrative surrounding their return.
President Nixon met with Marjorie P. Acker to discuss the status and handling of two specific Japanese audio recordings. The President requested that Acker retrieve the tapes and assess their audio quality to determine if they could be successfully transcribed. This brief interaction focused on the technical verification and preparation of these materials for further review.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to review and finalize the President’s upcoming schedule. They discussed the attendance and logistics of various appointments, including meetings with Donald H. Rumsfeld, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and William P. Rogers. The conversation also touched upon a seminar being held at Camp David involving William E. Timmons and the presence of Senator Joe Biden.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate an upcoming administrative briefing. The primary purpose of the brief interaction was to arrange for Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to provide a status update. No substantive policy matters were recorded, as the meeting functioned primarily as a logistical check-in.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review and finalize administrative arrangements for his daily schedule. The discussion focused on coordinating upcoming meetings with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler and counselor Donald H. Rumsfeld. The session served primarily as a logistical check-in to confirm the arrival times and sequence for these key personnel.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to address a brief personal matter. The conversation focused on locating the President's eyeglasses. The brief exchange concluded shortly thereafter when Sanchez departed the room.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review and coordinate the President's daily schedule and upcoming appointments. The discussion focused on the logistics regarding Donald Rumsfeld’s arrival and departure, as well as preparations for a telephone call with Secretary of State William P. Rogers concerning trade legislation and George P. Shultz. The conversation served primarily as an administrative briefing to manage the timing and sequence of these high-level meetings.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss sensitive public relations and foreign policy matters, specifically cautioning against any premature move toward normalizing relations that might alienate the American Jewish community. The President also expresses deep admiration for recently released prisoners of war, contrasting their resilience with the critical stance of the news media. Nixon urges Rogers to maintain a firm position regarding the administration's Vietnam policy, advising him not to be rattled by hostile press coverage or political critics.
President Nixon met with Donald Rumsfeld to confirm his travel arrangements for a commercial flight to Europe, with specific attention paid to his departure schedule from National Airport. Following this logistical check, Stephen Bull joined the discussion to coordinate a photo opportunity for Rumsfeld in the Rose Garden. The meeting concluded with the participants preparing to head outside for the scheduled photographs before Rumsfeld's departure.
President Nixon and Donald Rumsfeld met to discuss U.S. foreign policy challenges, particularly the strain on NATO and European allies' criticism of American actions in Vietnam and recent diplomatic overtures to the Soviet Union and China. The President expressed frustration with the lack of European self-sufficiency and the necessity of convincing allies that the U.S. is indispensable to their security. Following this, the conversation shifted to domestic politics, with Nixon offering his support for Rumsfeld’s potential Senate candidacy and criticizing the perceived weakness and lack of leadership in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to coordinate his daily itinerary. The primary focus of the brief discussion was to confirm the logistics for an upcoming meeting with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. Following the confirmation of these scheduling details, the meeting concluded shortly thereafter.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss media strategy, focusing on controlling the narrative regarding White House staffing changes and press relations. They specifically addressed public rumors concerning the departure of Secret Service official Robert Taylor, with Ziegler defending the administration's version of events against press inquiries from journalists like Helen Thomas and Dan Rather. Additionally, the pair discussed the repatriation of prisoners of war (POWs) and the importance of highlighting the POWs' reported support for the President to bolster public perception.
President Nixon held a brief, undocumented meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. Due to the lack of an available transcript, the specific subject matter and any resulting decisions or actions remain unknown to historical researchers. The interaction lasted no more than seven minutes, concluding before 9:48 am.