Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 900
Nixon White House Tape 900 (April 18, 1973)
30 conversations · Oval Office · about 6 hr 33 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Ziegler, Haldeman
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler strategized on the public narrative regarding the Watergate scandal, focusing on the President’s recent discovery of new facts and his subsequent collaboration with Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen. They discussed drafting a formal statement to address the potential involvement of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman while emphasizing the need for full disclosure. The meeting also included logistical planning for upcoming consultations with staff members and legal counsel regarding the President's handling of the ongoing investigation.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman convened in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's daily schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was the upcoming meeting with John D. Ehrlichman. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified woman in the Oval Office to discuss scheduling matters. The interaction was limited in scope, involving instructions regarding the President's calendar. The conversation concluded quickly as the individual departed shortly after their arrival.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the escalating legal and political fallout from the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on John Dean's role, his demand for immunity, and his threats to implicate the White House. The participants strategized on how to manage media narratives, maintain the President's credibility, and address the potential for damaging testimony from Dean regarding cover-up activities and blackmail demands from E. Howard Hunt. Nixon also directed Haldeman to handle his collection of White House tapes, suggesting that most should be destroyed while preserving only material deemed worth keeping for the library.
President Nixon and an unidentified individual briefly coordinated logistics for an upcoming meeting scheduled in the Roosevelt Room. The discussion focused on confirming that the participants were prepared and ready to convene. Following this short administrative exchange, the President departed the Oval Office to proceed with his scheduled activities.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review his upcoming daily schedule and manage logistical arrangements for pending appointments. The discussion focused on coordinating the President's interactions with key figures, including H.R. Haldeman, Giulio Andreotti, and John A. Volpe. Nixon provided specific instructions regarding the scheduling of these meetings and clarified his availability for the remainder of the week.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's daily schedule, focusing on upcoming appointments with James T. Lynn, Giulio Andreotti, and a meeting in the Cabinet Room. The discussion also addressed a scheduled finance-related meeting involving David K. Wilson and George H. Bush. The primary objective was to coordinate logistics and preparations for these administrative and diplomatic engagements.
President Nixon and Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, joined by Henry Kissinger, held a wide-ranging discussion on international trade, security policy, and geopolitical strategy. The conversation focused on managing trade relations with Japan, mitigating Soviet-led propaganda efforts against Western multinational corporations, and navigating the complexities of European defense burden-sharing and the Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR). The participants also discussed the political situation in Argentina and the importance of maintaining strong NATO cohesion in the face of perceived radicalism and global instability.
President Nixon met with Ambassador John A. Volpe to discuss Volpe's diplomatic activities in Italy, specifically regarding the political strength of Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. The conversation also covered the selection process for a new ambassador to Poland, with Volpe providing recommendations and status updates on potential candidates who had been vetted by the FBI and Catholic leadership. The two also addressed the logistical complexities of appointing a military officer to a civilian diplomatic post.
President Nixon and Vice President Agnew discussed the growing domestic political pressure to link U.S. foreign policy toward the Soviet Union with the emigration of Soviet Jews. Agnew expressed frustration over the confrontational attitudes of specific individuals, while the President asserted that the public would not permit a minority to undermine broader national security objectives. The conversation emphasized the administration's determination to resist congressional efforts to use trade and war policy as leverage for Soviet emigration demands.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate their strategy regarding Jewish emigration and relations with the Soviet Union, specifically aiming to address political pressure from figures like Senator Henry Jackson. Concerned about potential confrontations with activists, the President decided to cancel a scheduled meeting with Jewish leaders to avoid hostile criticism. They also discussed managing the schedule of Rainer Barzel to prioritize meetings with Congressional leaders over ceremonial press opportunities.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss public relations strategy regarding the ongoing Watergate scandal, specifically addressing John Dean's recent communications. They debated whether the President should meet with Dean and finalized a plan for how Ziegler should respond to press inquiries about his own prior knowledge of the matter. Ultimately, they decided that Ziegler would adopt a firm stance, refusing to answer detailed questions in order to protect the rights of potential defendants and maintain a neutral posture.
President Nixon met with German politician Rainer Barzel and Erich Feldweg to discuss the importance of Western unity and the maintenance of NATO forces. The participants emphasized the need for strong spiritual leadership to counter disillusionment among Western youth and the intellectual elite, whom they characterized as being overly soft toward adversaries. Nixon outlined his upcoming working trip to Europe, expressing his intent to move beyond ceremonial gestures and establish a new, robust structure for Western international relations.
President Richard Nixon met with Nellie L. Yates in the Oval Office to discuss matters regarding the President’s daily schedule. The brief meeting concluded without any official public record of substantive policy deliberations or major administrative decisions. The interaction appears to have been limited to logistical or personal calendar coordination.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinate scheduling priorities for Treasury Secretary George Shultz to discuss the Economic Stabilization Act and an upcoming energy message. Nixon emphasizes the importance of managing the flow of visitors to the Oval Office while authorizing Shultz to proceed with a film clip appearance. The exchange serves as a brief logistical planning session to prepare the President for briefings on legislative and energy policy.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage administrative priorities. The discussion centered on adjusting the meeting time for Representative William G. Bray and facilitating communication between the President and Treasury Secretary George P. Shultz regarding congressional matters. These logistical adjustments were part of the administration's ongoing efforts to maintain legislative momentum during the heightened political pressure of the Watergate era.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing communication. This brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with another party, as noted by its association with a subsequent recording. No substantial policy or political discussions took place during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss a legislative setback regarding trade and immigration policy, specifically focusing on the political maneuvers of Senator Henry Jackson. The two evaluate the risks of enforcing certain provisions versus finding ways to circumvent them, ultimately deciding to accept the legislative situation as it stands. Nixon expresses deep frustration over the impact of these political obstacles on diplomatic summits and plans to shift the burden of blame for any potential failures onto congressional opponents.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to facilitate an immediate transition or movement within the workspace. The brief discussion centered on logistical arrangements for the President's schedule, specifically regarding a commitment to Kiwanis International. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, to coordinate the logistics of his midday schedule. The brief discussion focused on arranging the President’s lunch location within the Executive Office Building and facilitating his time for rest. No substantive policy matters were addressed, as the conversation was limited to these personal administrative requirements.
President Nixon met with Congressman William G. Bray and members of Kiwanis International to discuss the organization's community service initiatives and recent global activities. The group briefed the President on their "Share Your Life" program, which focuses on elderly care and volunteerism, and introduced the upcoming "Camelot" program designed to support youth career education. Nixon expressed strong support for service clubs, noting their importance in fostering community spirit and local leadership.
President Nixon met briefly with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The discussion was limited to the President's attire. No further policy or administrative actions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with a film crew in the Oval Office to record his public remarks regarding a new energy policy message being transmitted to Congress. The session involved extensive technical coordination, including adjustments to lighting, audio equipment, and camera positioning to ensure the production met broadcast standards. After encountering technical issues and performance miscues during the initial recording, the President successfully re-filmed the statement in its entirety before concluding the session.
President Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically regarding a planned trip to Camp David. They discussed the necessity of finalizing an economic message before departing on Friday afternoon. Nixon instructed his daughter to continue with her personal plans while he managed the logistical requirements of his Cabinet and testimony commitments.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule, focusing specifically on a proposed meeting with Jewish leaders regarding the status of Soviet Jews. Nixon expressed significant reservations about participating in the meeting personally, fearing it might be unproductive or poorly received. He instructed Bull to consult Henry Kissinger for advice on whether the meeting should proceed without his attendance.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the growing legal and political risks surrounding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the recent actions and potential testimony of John Dean. They reviewed their past interactions with Dean, debated his motivations and potential conflict of interest regarding John Mitchell, and examined the vulnerabilities posed by previous meetings. The discussion included strategies for managing the White House response to subpoenas and legal inquiries, as well as the potential application of executive privilege to protect sensitive information.
President Nixon held a brief, unscheduled meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The participants engaged in a short, fragmented discussion regarding an unspecified request. No significant policy decisions or substantive developments were captured during this exchange.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors and cabinet members to discuss how to manage persistent inflation and public frustration with the economy following the recent passage of the Economic Stabilization Act. Arthur Burns and others proposed various policy adjustments, including a potential return to some Phase 2-style controls like pre-notification, while Roy Ash and Herbert Stein argued for staying the course with Phase 3 to avoid further distorting the market. Ultimately, the administration emphasized the importance of fiscal restraint and maintaining a consistent long-term strategy rather than implementing impulsive or overly restrictive controls that could trigger a recession.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified visitor in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding his upcoming meeting with Dr. Rainer Barzel. The discussion focused specifically on the scheduling and timing of the appointment with the West German political leader. No further substantive matters were recorded during this one-minute encounter.
President Nixon met with Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to finalize logistical arrangements and coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on identifying specific events and securing locations, including the Executive Office Building. The conversation primarily functioned as a briefing to ensure security and administrative preparedness for the day's itinerary.