Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 871
Nixon White House Tape 871 (March 7, 1973 – March 8, 1973)
12 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 26 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Sanchez, Dean
President Nixon held a brief, unscheduled meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual, followed by a discussion with White House Counsel John W. Dean, III. The primary focus of the session involved consultation with Dean regarding ongoing legal or administrative matters. Due to the lack of preserved audio content, no specific policy decisions or action items can be confirmed from this exchange.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule, specifically focusing on arrangements and agendas for upcoming Domestic Council and Cabinet meetings involving key staff like John D. Ehrlichman. The discussion also addressed logistics for a meeting with Thomas A. Pappas and a scheduled engagement with Nelson A. Rockefeller that included George H.W. Bush. Additionally, the conversation briefly touched upon personnel matters, including a mention of Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., and the coordination of a follow-up meeting with John W. Dean, III.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule, specifically focusing on upcoming meetings, press photo opportunities with photographer Ollie Atkins, and an evening event. The discussion included logistical planning for a meeting with Nelson A. Rockefeller and adjustments to the President's daily calendar. No major policy decisions were reached, as the conversation served primarily to coordinate administrative details and agenda items.
President Nixon and John Dean discussed strategies for the upcoming Senate hearings regarding L. Patrick Gray’s nomination to head the FBI, focusing on methods to expose past FBI abuses under previous administrations to deflect criticism. Following Dean’s departure, H. R. Haldeman joined to review presidential scheduling, including the management of state dinners and the necessity of engaging more effectively with Congress members. The conversation also covered foreign policy planning with Henry Kissinger, specifically regarding upcoming summits with Leonid Brezhnev and the careful navigation of international relations and domestic PR initiatives.
President Nixon, George Shultz, and Henry Kissinger met to discuss international economic and diplomatic strategy, specifically focusing on the upcoming European monetary crisis and U.S.-Soviet relations. The group strategized how Shultz should handle European leaders, such as Helmut Schmidt, by providing leadership on currency stability without committing to unsustainable massive interventions. Regarding the Soviet Union, the participants agreed to prioritize trade and rapprochement while tactfully avoiding public focus on the issue of Soviet Jewry to ensure the success of pending trade agreements and upcoming summits. Additionally, the President provided guidance on managing relations with France during its upcoming elections and discussed administrative appointments and labor-management initiatives.
Manolo Sanchez met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to briefly discuss logistical arrangements, including the scheduling of Rose Mary Woods and a potential walk. The brief exchange appears administrative in nature, though the fragmented recording limits the depth of the discussion. No substantive policy decisions were reached before the recording concluded.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met with outgoing West German Ambassador Rolf Pauls to discuss his upcoming diplomatic assignment to the People's Republic of China and the importance of maintaining strong U.S.-West German relations. The discussion emphasized the critical need to link economic stability—specifically regarding the U.S. dollar and trade—with broader military and NATO security commitments. Nixon expressed concern that European economic protectionism could feed American isolationist sentiment, and both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining the cohesion of the Atlantic alliance.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to finalize logistics for the Federal Women’s Award ceremony. The discussion focused on coordinating the event's presentation, specifically the staging arrangements involving the placement of flags and the role of Patricia R. Hitt. The meeting concluded with instructions to ensure the introduction and press presence were properly organized.
President Nixon met with a delegation of distinguished women serving in the federal government, including scientists and legal professionals, to recognize their contributions and discuss the advancement of women in public service. The discussion addressed the recruitment of qualified women into top-level government positions and the President's commitment to addressing potential workplace discrimination. Participants also engaged in casual conversation regarding international experiences, particularly in China, and shared personal anecdotes about their academic backgrounds at Duke Law School.
President Nixon held a brief, undocumented meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The participants discussed the disposition of specific administrative items, though the exact nature of these materials remains unclear due to the lack of transcript content. The meeting concluded when the unknown visitor departed shortly before 9:00 am.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed upcoming scheduling matters, including the Cardinal’s Rome investiture and the involvement of Monsignor Kuhn regarding a potential White House worship service. The discussion also addressed logistics for a meeting with singer Tony Martin and internal coordination regarding appointments at the Executive Office Building involving George H. W. Bush and Nelson Rockefeller. Bull was tasked with managing these arrangements to ensure smooth administrative operations for the President’s appearances.
This recording captures an brief, unidentified interaction in the Oval Office involving President Nixon and at least one unknown woman. Due to the lack of substantive dialogue in the transcript, the specific purpose and context of the meeting remain indeterminable. The audio primarily documents the arrival and departure of guests without any discernible policy discussion or decision-making.