Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 860
Nixon White House Tape 860 (February 21, 1973)
17 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 43 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Haldeman, Sanchez
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing connection to another party. This brief interaction served an administrative purpose, functioning solely to initiate a telephonic communication. No substantive policy discussions or policy-related decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed administrative details concerning the first anniversary of the President’s historic trip to the People's Republic of China, including the presentation of a commemorative pen. They also discussed upcoming scheduling commitments, specifically verifying the timing of a meeting involving Hafez Ismail and Henry Kissinger. Nixon directed Bull to confirm the precise scheduling of these appointments to avoid any conflicts.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to manage the logistical complexities of the President’s daily schedule, focusing on meeting durations and the coordination of upcoming appointments. They discussed specific scheduling challenges regarding meetings with Hafez Ismail, Charles S. Rhyne, and various members of Congress, with Nixon emphasizing the need for more realistic time allotments for these encounters. Additionally, the President directed Bull to improve the system for managing congressional visits and finalized arrangements for a party hosted by Senator Strom Thurmond.
President Nixon briefed Senator John C. Stennis on recent developments in U.S.-China relations and the shifting status of the conflict in Southeast Asia. Nixon discussed the implementation of a ceasefire in Laos, the planned establishment of reciprocal liaison offices with China, and commitments from the Chinese government regarding the release of American prisoners. These discussions aimed to keep the Senator informed on foreign policy initiatives intended to stabilize the region and strategically manage relations with both China and the Soviet Union.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to receive personal assistance. The brief interaction focused on the delivery of refreshments to the President. No major policy decisions or historical developments were recorded during this informal engagement.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This brief interaction served administrative purposes to establish contact with another party. No substantive policy discussions or significant political decisions occurred during the exchange.
President Nixon held a brief meeting in the Oval Office with an unknown individual, during which Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler was also present to facilitate the delivery of materials. While the specific substance of the dialogue remains unrecorded due to a lack of transcript, the meeting concluded within eight minutes. No definitive policy decisions or significant developments are documented for this exchange.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to manage his incoming communications as he prepared to depart the office for an extended period. The brief exchange focused on coordinating the return of a pending phone call later in the day. The President confirmed his unavailability, effectively placing his immediate call schedule on hold.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler briefly discussed upcoming social events, including the Gridiron and White House Correspondents Association dinners, and the President's planned nonattendance at the former. The conversation also touched upon Ziegler's press briefing strategy and Henry Kissinger's meetings. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Watergate scandal, specifically the E. Howard Hunt, Jr. and G. Gordon Liddy stories, and how Ziegler and Gerald Warren should respond to news reports, particularly those linking Hunt to Dita Beard and Charles Colson, amidst ongoing Senate hearings.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman deliberate on the political optics of attending a reception for Senator Carl Curtis immediately following a White House event for congressmen. Nixon expresses concern that rushing to the Capitol would create a negative press narrative and undermine his congressional relations. Ultimately, the pair weighs the administrative convenience of the appearance against the potential for unfavorable media coverage.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the logistics surrounding John B. Connally’s visit to the White House. The brief discussion focused on the timing of Connally's arrival and departure to ensure he exited the premises before the arrival of other scheduled parties. No policy decisions were made during this logistical briefing.
President Nixon and John B. Connally discuss potential career paths for former Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst, emphasizing the benefits of joining a stable, prestigious law firm over solo practice. The conversation transitions to domestic politics, with Nixon expressing support for his ongoing budget cuts and fiscal policies despite pressure from special interest groups and the media. Finally, the two address international affairs, including the potential for deeper U.S. association with Caribbean nations like Jamaica, the release of American prisoners in the People's Republic of China, and planning for Connally's upcoming international travel.
President Nixon met with John D. Ehrlichman in the Oval Office to discuss administrative logistics or strategic planning. The brief exchange focused on breaking down specific tasks or information, though the transcript remains largely undefined. The meeting concluded quickly, with the unknown participant departing before 4:02 pm.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to briefly coordinate the scheduling of upcoming appointments with John B. Connally and John D. Ehrlichman. The discussion focused on adjusting the timing of these meetings to align with the President's availability for the remainder of the afternoon. The participants ultimately decided to reschedule the consultations for 5:00 p.m.
President Nixon met with key advisors and staff, including H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Henry Kissinger, to manage several pressing domestic and foreign policy issues. The discussion covered the President's upcoming appearance at the Gridiron dinner, strategic coordination for the proposed energy message and potential deregulation of gas prices, and the finalization of a tax reform package. Additionally, the President and his team addressed personnel matters regarding ACTION, debated the best approach for congressional relations, and received a comprehensive briefing from Kissinger on international developments, specifically regarding Vietnam, the Middle East, and relations with the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Stephen Bull, and Ronald Ziegler to manage administrative staffing, personnel appointments, and public relations strategies. Key discussions focused on Henry Kissinger’s upcoming press briefing regarding the Vietnam settlement, the logistics for the White House Correspondents' dinner, and resolving job placement issues for Patricia Hitt and other administration figures. The group also addressed concerns regarding the tendency of staff members to over-expand their own bureaucracies and the importance of message discipline when communicating budget and policy stances to Congress.
President Nixon held a brief, four-minute meeting in the Oval Office with unknown individuals. Due to the lack of audible dialogue in the recording, the specific purpose and substantive content of the discussion remain unidentified. No actionable outcomes or policy developments are discernable from the available record of this brief encounter.