Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 891
Nixon White House Tape 891 (April 9, 1973)
13 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 45 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Scowcroft, White House photographer, Sanchez
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman meet to discuss the escalating Watergate scandal, focusing on the legal and political vulnerabilities posed by pending Senate hearings and damaging press reports. The President expresses deep unease regarding the White House taping system and issues explicit instructions to Haldeman to dismantle the system and destroy the recordings to prevent them from being used against the administration. They also deliberate on how to frame the public narrative, debating whether Mitchell or other staffers should accept responsibility to insulate the White House from direct culpability.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and a film crew in the Oval Office to record a formal public address regarding his trade legislation. The President delivered a scripted statement emphasizing the potential for increased jobs, consumer benefits, and the strengthening of international peace through these new trade proposals. The session concluded promptly following the successful completion of the filming segment.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and an unidentified individual to address routine administrative tasks, specifically the processing of presidential signatures and scheduling matters. The discussion centered on the recent promotion of Admiral James B. Stockdale and the coordination of the President's upcoming haircut appointment. The meeting concluded with confirmation of the late afternoon schedule.
President Nixon met with Admiral James B. Stockdale and General Brent Scowcroft to discuss Stockdale's experiences as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and broader geopolitical themes regarding American leadership. The conversation centered on the resilience of POWs, the strategic necessity of the December 1972 B-52 bombing campaign in securing negotiations, and the ongoing challenges of maintaining public and congressional support for post-war commitments. Nixon and Stockdale emphasized the importance of a strong, responsible 'leader class' in American society to prevent isolationism and ensure the nation continues to project influence and maintain global stability against communist adversaries.
President Nixon and General Brent Scowcroft met to discuss the disposition of a sensitive file concerning General John B. Flynn. The primary focus of the brief exchange involved the secure handling and internal administrative routing of this documentation. The discussion resulted in the retrieval of the file for storage within the President's personal safe.
President Nixon met with General Brent Scowcroft in the Oval Office to discuss ongoing national security and foreign policy matters. Given the lack of a transcript or detailed record, the specific substance of their exchange remains classified or unrecorded. The discussion concluded without documented shifts in policy or formal action items, leaving the exact nature of their consultation unavailable to researchers.
President Nixon met with Gen. John B. Flynn and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft to discuss the experiences of American Prisoners of War (POWs) in Vietnam, the morale of the American public regarding the war, and broader Cold War foreign policy. Flynn, a former POW leader, shared his perspective on the North Vietnamese strategy and the psychological impact of U.S. military actions, such as the December 1972 bombing campaigns. The group also examined the effectiveness of Communist propaganda, particularly in Latin America, and identified the need for the U.S. to maintain global leadership and strength to deter Communist expansion. Consequently, the President decided to engage James Keogh of the USIA to evaluate and improve the quality of American counter-propaganda materials.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to discuss scheduling matters involving an unidentified individual. The brief exchange touched upon the individual's availability, including a reference to a symphony performance. Additionally, the President requested specific documentation to be prepared for the following day.
President Nixon held a brief administrative coordination meeting with an unidentified individual to arrange for a follow-up report. Nixon requested that the staffer be notified of his impending relocation to the Executive Office Building (EOB). The conversation primarily served to facilitate the logistics of delivering this report later in the day.
President Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding Kissinger’s upcoming travel schedule. The discussion focused on finalizing the details of his itinerary and ensuring proper administrative alignment for his pending departure. No major policy shifts were recorded during this brief exchange, which functioned primarily as a scheduling consultation.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office to discuss matters related to the President's daily schedule. The brief interaction focused on logistics regarding Nixon’s upcoming appointments and personal requirements. No significant policy decisions or major developments were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon held an brief, unrecorded meeting in the Oval Office with unidentified individuals. The discussion focused on logistical arrangements concerning the President's upcoming travel schedule to California. No further details regarding the substance of the meeting are available as the remainder of the session remains restricted or unrecorded.
President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, and unidentified individuals met briefly in the Oval Office to facilitate an unspecified logistical or medical arrangement. The discussion involved technical coordination regarding telecommunications equipment and the movement of the participants within the office. The meeting concluded with the departure of the unknown parties, leaving the exact nature of the interaction largely unrecorded.