Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on China policy
15 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, Haldeman, Bull
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss ongoing South Vietnamese military operations and recent diplomatic back-channel communications with Soviet officials regarding Berlin and potential summit prospects. Kissinger reports on his briefing of Senator Mike Mansfield concerning the President's upcoming announcement regarding China policy. The pair finalize plans for Clark MacGregor to notify key congressional leaders, including Gerald Ford, Carl Albert, and George Aiken, about the impending policy shift.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss managing journalist John Scali, who is pushing for a more aggressive public relations campaign regarding the administration's China policy and Vietnam withdrawal plans. Nixon firmly rejects Scali's suggestions for premature withdrawal announcements, insisting that any public pronouncements on Vietnam be delayed until after Kissinger's scheduled meetings in Paris and consultations with South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. Kissinger confirms he is maintaining contact with Scali to keep him aligned with administration strategy without adopting his disruptive proposals.
President Nixon and aide Patrick J. Buchanan discuss the political fallout of the administration's new initiative toward the People's Republic of China. They observe that the move has successfully disrupted the liberal press, drawing attention away from the Vietnam War and causing confusion among political 'doves.' Nixon emphasizes his cautious approach regarding formal UN recognition and his ongoing commitment to maintaining relations with Taiwan.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, Stephen Bull, and Ronald Ziegler to manage various administrative priorities, focusing heavily on controlling the narrative surrounding Vice President Spiro Agnew’s recent unauthorized remarks regarding the administration's China policy. The group also discussed the logistics of upcoming public appearances, including a strategic approach to a recent Supreme Court ruling on school busing and the management of high-level personnel changes. Furthermore, they coordinated foreign policy messaging, specifically addressing Secretary of State William Rogers’s upcoming Middle East trip and the need to establish a discreet, direct communications channel with the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate media strategy regarding the administration's China initiative, focusing on countering news reports that suggested a rift between Henry Kissinger and Secretary of State William Rogers or that the State Department deserved primary credit. They discussed using journalist John Scali to correct the narrative and emphasized that the China policy was fundamentally driven by the President. Additionally, the pair reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, including a meeting with the U.S. table tennis team, and considered potential administrative personnel reassignments for Clifford Hardin and Bryce Harlow.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and H.R. Haldeman to coordinate strategy for an upcoming press conference, focusing heavily on countering North Vietnamese propaganda regarding Prisoners of War (POWs) and ceasefire proposals. They discussed correcting public misinterpretations of Secretary of State William Rogers' recent statements on China, emphasizing the need to keep diplomatic rhetoric low-key to avoid unnecessary friction. Additionally, the President and his staff reviewed concerns over television production techniques and public image management, balancing the importance of authentic substance over staged performance.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to deliberate on sensitive foreign policy objectives, specifically addressing the administration's "Two China" strategy regarding Taiwan's United Nations membership. The discussion also evaluated ongoing U.S. military operations in Vietnam and Cambodia, assessing the effectiveness of South Vietnamese forces. Additionally, the participants touched upon press relations and communications strategy, referencing the involvement of Herbert G. Klein.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the potential recruitment of a new writer who is described as a "zealot" with strong, articulate views that align with the President's perspective. The conversation touches upon the effectiveness of current political messaging, the need for sharper, more focused public communication, and the strategic impact of high-profile upcoming events, specifically referencing the potential for a trip to China. They also coordinate logistics for an upcoming social event, including the President's attire and guest arrangements.
President Nixon and John W. Rollins discussed organizational efforts for an upcoming Republican fundraising dinner, specifically focusing on Rollins's role as chairman and his need for assistance with donors. The conversation also touched upon the positive reception of the President's recent television program regarding the People's Republic of China initiative. Additionally, the participants reviewed the strategic significance of the 18-21-year-old vote and other demographic sectors in a Delaware Republican poll, with Rollins noting he would coordinate with Harry S. Dent on the matter.
President Nixon consults with pollster Louis Harris regarding a proposed study on public sentiment toward domestic issues, particularly the economy. The two discuss the potential benefits of integrating foreign policy topics, such as the China initiative and Vietnam, to better understand their influence on the public's overall economic optimism. Harris agrees to coordinate with staff members Chuck Colson and Edwin Harper to develop a comprehensive survey that probes beyond surface-level polling data.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discussed the strategic nuances of potential upcoming summitry and international diplomatic relations. Nixon emphasized his desire to visit the Soviet Union, citing the positive reception of his China policy by Russian media as a catalyst for potential progress. The conversation centered on leveraging this momentum to address key global issues, specifically European security, SALT negotiations, and force reduction in the Middle East.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including Henry Kissinger, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler, to discuss the political fallout of the United Nations' vote to expel Taiwan and seat the People's Republic of China. Nixon expressed frustration with the State Department and perceived efforts by Secretary of State William Rogers to undermine his China policy and independent diplomatic efforts. The group focused on controlling the narrative regarding the UN vote, specifically by emphasizing the 'shocking' and 'disrespectful' conduct of delegates who celebrated the U.S. defeat, rather than dwelling on the vote itself, to channel public and Congressional anger away from the administration. Consequently, they decided to adopt a low-key approach regarding future announcements of Nixon’s China trip and to avoid a public, high-level meeting with Ambassador George H.W. Bush to minimize media speculation.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss logistics for upcoming travel to Florida and coordinate the messaging for Kissinger’s interactions with the Nixon family. The conversation addresses reports of skepticism from Secretary of State William P. Rogers regarding the President’s China policy, which Nixon and Kissinger dismiss as a lack of understanding. The two reaffirm their control over foreign policy strategy, specifically regarding China, the Soviet Union, and Vietnam negotiations.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield discuss the tactical orchestration of an upcoming meeting regarding China policy. Nixon explicitly decides to exclude Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird to avoid the necessary inclusion of Secretary of State William Rogers, tasking Henry Kissinger with leading the briefing instead. The President emphasizes that China-related matters should remain distinct from standard congressional relations to ensure the initiative is perceived as a significant diplomatic event rather than partisan politics.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the positive results of the recent Moscow Summit, noting Soviet leaders' desire to strengthen personal ties with the President. They also assessed the deteriorating situation for North Vietnam, with Nixon reiterating the administration’s strategy to attack presidential candidate George McGovern's proposal to visit Hanoi as a form of surrender. Finally, they coordinated the logistics for announcing Kissinger's upcoming trip to China and his subsequent testimony before the Senate, aiming to minimize political backlash by controlling the timing and narrative.