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Nixon Tapes on Diplomatic relations
126 conversations · page 2 of 2 · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Ziegler
President Nixon consulted with Stephen B. Bull and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler regarding the status and return of Henry Kissinger, who was meeting with Elliot Richardson. The participants coordinated the timing of Kissinger’s reappearance at the White House to facilitate a follow-up meeting with the President. Additionally, the group discussed upcoming communications strategy surrounding an official announcement regarding the People's Republic of China.
On February 6, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and William P. Rogers met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:57 pm and 2:47 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 409-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss how Secretary of State William P. Rogers should respond to harsh public criticisms of U.S. Vietnam policy made by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While National Security Council staff advised a 'no comment' approach, Nixon explicitly overrules them and authorizes Rogers to publicly rebuke Gandhi's remarks. Nixon instructs Haldeman to have Rogers use the President's previous correspondence regarding peace efforts as the basis for his response.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the logistics and scheduling for an upcoming visit by Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The discussion focused on finalizing the specific dates for the visit and evaluating the potential involvement of National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. They ultimately sought to adjust the existing itinerary, reflecting the President's personal attention to the planning details.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly discussed the ongoing implementation of the Vietnam ceasefire and related diplomatic challenges. The conversation touched upon the status of ceasefire violations and the management of personnel or industry-related logistics. The meeting served as a brief administrative touchpoint between the President and his press secretary regarding these sensitive foreign policy developments.
President Richard Nixon and his close associate Bebe Rebozo discussed the recent Black September hostage killings in Khartoum, with both men affirming the administration's decision to refuse the terrorists' blackmail demands. Nixon invited Rebozo to Washington for a social weekend involving a Sammy Davis, Jr. event at the White House and a visit to Camp David. The conversation concluded with a brief reflection on the successful return of American prisoners of war from Vietnam, noting praise from Ambassador Walter Annenberg.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed various logistical and scheduling matters, including upcoming social arrangements, personal errands, and the arrival of Bebe Rebozo. The discussion included planning for a birthday gift for First Lady Pat Nixon and coordinating travel for Julie Nixon Eisenhower. Additionally, the participants addressed diplomatic protocol regarding the farewell for West German Ambassador Rolf Pauls and arrangements for a meeting with H.R. Haldeman.
On March 5, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 3:27 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 037-054 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual and Stephen B. Bull to address a scheduling error regarding a memorial service for slain diplomats at the State Department. The discussion centered on a miscommunication concerning the attendance of the victims' families, which led the President to believe they would not be present. Nixon expressed frustration over the administrative oversight and directed staff to investigate the cause of the confusion.
President Nixon consulted with Henry Kissinger regarding the logistical requirements for comedian Bob Hope’s proposed visit to the People's Republic of China. Kissinger confirmed he had already received film footage from Hope and requested a formal letter detailing the specific objectives and materials associated with the entertainer's trip. This documentation was deemed necessary to finalize arrangements and maintain the positive rapport Kissinger had established with Chinese officials.
Henry Kissinger informs Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler that the People's Republic of China has agreed to release American prisoner John T. Downey on March 12, as well as prisoners Robert J. Flynn and Philip E. Smith on March 15. Kissinger instructs Ziegler to announce the news publicly, framing Downey's release as a result of a direct humanitarian appeal to Chou En-lai regarding the prisoner's mother's illness. The two discuss potential strategies for the President to comment on the development during an upcoming photo opportunity with William Rogers.
On March 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:26 pm and 3:28 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Richard M. Nixon and Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau discussed Canada's ongoing participation in the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) in Vietnam. Trudeau informed the President that his cabinet decided to postpone any immediate withdrawal of Canadian personnel, opting instead to reevaluate their commitment in May to allow more time for the peace process to stabilize. Nixon expressed his gratitude for this decision, emphasizing the diplomatic symbolism of Canada's presence, while acknowledging the political challenges this posed for Trudeau domestically.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming schedule and manage various diplomatic and administrative priorities. The discussion covered arrangements for meetings with the Indian ambassador, scheduling a briefing with Roger Shields regarding the return of prisoners of war, and preparations for Nguyen Van Thieu’s visit. Additionally, the two reviewed logistical details concerning presidential appointments, internal White House communications, and correspondence from Julie Nixon Eisenhower.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and Rose Mary Woods to refine the final text of an upcoming address regarding his administration's foreign policy and national defense strategies. Nixon and Kissinger reviewed phrasing related to the Vietnam War, relations with China and the USSR, and the importance of maintaining military strength to ensure successful arms reduction negotiations. The President expressed a desire to justify the current defense budget while addressing mounting political pressure from critics concerning both Vietnam and the Watergate scandal.
On March 30, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:44 am and 11:10 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 890-013 of the White House Tapes.
On April 29, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:36 am and 11:46 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 164-031 of the White House Tapes.
On May 2, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:21 am and 10:24 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-136 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Thomas Hart to coordinate logistical details for an upcoming visit from West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. The discussion focused on finalizing the meeting schedule and clarifying the roles and attendance of Secretary of State William P. Rogers and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. They specifically reviewed the timing of a planned photo opportunity to ensure smooth transitions for the participating officials.
President Nixon met with Senator Jacob Javits and a delegation of associates to receive the Robert L. Hague Merchant Marine Achievement Award and commemorate the Merchant Marine Act of 1970. The participants briefly discussed Javits’s long-standing relationship with the President, mutual acquaintances such as Ben Javits and Spyros Skouras, and the President's upcoming diplomatic engagements. The meeting concluded after a brief exchange regarding scheduling and administrative priorities.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical preparations for an upcoming diplomatic trip to Iceland. The discussion focused on reviewing essential background materials, summaries, and scheduling details for meetings with Icelandic officials and French President Georges Pompidou. This briefing served to organize the President’s itinerary and documentation needs ahead of his international travel.
First Lady Pat Nixon and Lucy Winchester discussed the planning of an informal tea at the White House to honor Victoria Tolbert, wife of the President of Liberia. They reviewed a list of potential attendees, specifically aiming to balance the guest list with prominent American women and administration figures to avoid the appearance of a one-sided event. During the conversation, Nixon decided to remove Nikki Giovanni from the invitation list and directed Winchester to expedite the invitations via staff members.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss urgent diplomatic developments regarding the Paris peace talks, specifically tensions between Henry Kissinger and the South Vietnamese government. Following advice from Kissinger, Nixon agrees to meet with Ambassador Tran Kim Phuong to address these critical issues. Consequently, the President adjusts his upcoming schedule, including postponing a bipartisan Congressional meeting and coordinating a private dinner with John Connally, Bryce Harlow, and Haig.
President Nixon, assisted by Rose Mary Woods and Alexander M. Haig, Jr., worked to finalize the text of his upcoming toast for the visit of Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. The participants focused on editing the speech for appropriate length and tone, specifically requesting the removal of extraneous references, such as a passage regarding John Adams. Nixon reviewed the revised wording to ensure the toast effectively conveyed a message of peace and mutual responsibility between the two global powers.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Alexander Haig met briefly to coordinate the logistics and diplomatic agenda for Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev's upcoming visit. They discussed scheduling meetings with Senators and planning specific talks regarding SALT and Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR). Additionally, the group briefly addressed emerging press reports concerning John Dean’s handling of campaign funds, with Nixon emphasizing the need to manage the fallout from the Watergate-related allegations.
President Nixon held a brief introductory meeting with West German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Walter Scheel and his aide, Heinz Weiber, accompanied by Henry Kissinger. The discussion was limited to preliminary social exchanges and pleasantries. The group concluded the meeting by coordinating an arrangement for official photographs to be taken outside the Oval Office.