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Conversation 854-018

TapeTape 854StartTuesday, February 13, 1973 at 10:53 AMEndTuesday, February 13, 1973 at 10:57 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

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.

Prisoners of WarFlag ProclamationPublic RelationsVietnam WarLady Bird JohnsonWhite House Communications
AudioNARA Description

On February 13, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:53 am to 10:57 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 854-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 854-18

Date: February 13, 1973
Time: 10:53 am - 10:57 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.

       Press relations
               -Ziegler’s conversation regarding flying flag
                                            -19-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      (rev. August-10)
                                                            Conversation No. 854-18 (cont’d)

                     -Richard A. Moore
                     -David R. Gergen
                     -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                     -Gergen
                             -Statement and talking points for President
              -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
                     -Prisoners of war [POWs]
                             -Conduct during imprisonment
                     -View of flying flag
              -George P. Shultz
                     -Statement about flying flag
                             -Telephone call to Claudia A. (“Lady Bird”) Johnson
                                    -Suggestions
                                           -Lyndon B. Johnson
                             -Gergen
              -Proclamation
                     -Flying flags
                             -Return of POWs to US soil
                     -Watergate
                             -Diversion
                             -Testimony
              -Shultz’s meeting with President
                     -Photograph
                             -Arrangements

Ziegler left at 10:57 am.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I talked to Dick Moore, and Dick thought it was a good idea.
He talked to Gergen, and he thought it was a great idea.
He talked to Holm, and he thinks it's a good idea.
And so Gergen has been putting some material together.
Both the statement and some talking points, if you would like to do this before camera.
I was talking to Al this morning.
Well, one thing.
I was talking to Hayden this morning on a different subject, and I just bounced this off of him.
I think he would trust me.
He said, sounds fine to me.
He said, but keep in mind, Ron, that they're bound to me.
After they're all back, he said, they're bound to me, and they have very good reason to believe this.
I'm sure you're briefed on this.
Well, that's what's going on.
He said that there are bound to be some situations that are not healthy, in other words, the conduct of some of the guys who are coming back while they were in the camps.
He said that anything that we do— While they were in the camps, yes, sir.
And he said anything that we do, although this is a time of relation and a time where America is happy, that we should have in mind this fact.
Now, he's—
He said, obviously, the gesture of raising the flag does not fall into that category.
I'm not too concerned about that.
I'm not bad at it.
Well, I'm taking this in a hurry now.
Let me sit.
Yes, I know.
I want to sit.
Yeah, sure.
Sure.
I just want to give you a report.
You all right?
No.
I just want you to get it.
I don't need to talk to you.
We'll just do it.
We'll just do it.
I need to sit down.
Would this issue a statement?
statement, but let's check it.
As soon as I get to get the statement to me to check, that you can call Ms. Johnson.
Call Ms. Johnson.
As soon as I get her suggestions, she might want to add something to the statement.
Okay.
Okay.
But I've heard it doesn't happen yet.
No, he had some talking points.
I'm going to have him transferred.
He's right beside me now, too.
Appreciate it.
All right.
All right.
Bye.
And then I would issue my briefing.
Okay, sir.
I mean, it would take us some time here, wouldn't you disagree?
No running.
No running.
What Gergen came up with a good idea is that the proclamation, which we would issue later, would have the flags moved to full staff at dawn on Thursday, sunrise on Thursday, which is the day that the first group of prisoners would be landing on U.S. soil.
So that's a very good way to point out that the anniversary would be landing on U.S. soil.
Oh, yeah, there's something.
Don't move.
This door is overriding.
That's going to be annoying for a long time.
Maybe, maybe not.
Well, yeah.
Four fellows down there.
Well, you're right.
Picture the Schultz.
That's fine.
Anytime you want.
You determine when you want a picture.
We'll do it at the start of the meeting.
All right.
1105.
Yes, sir.
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