Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Latin America
20 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, Rogers, Bull
President Nixon met with outgoing Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) official Felipe Herrera, along with Charls Walker and other staff, to discuss U.S.-Latin American relations and the bank's role in the region. The conversation focused on the necessity of soft-loan windows for developing nations, the importance of private capital, and the President's vision for a partnership based on "peaceful change," stability, and mutual dignity. Following the policy discussion, the President and Herrera exchanged gifts and tokens of appreciation, with the meeting concluding after further remarks from Walker regarding the administration's commitment to these diplomatic principles.
President Nixon met with Puerto Rican Governor Luis A. Ferre, accompanied by Rosario Benigno Trigo and John C. Whitaker, to discuss political and economic developments in Puerto Rico and its role as a bridge to Latin America. Governor Ferre highlighted his "North-South Center" initiative, designed to foster democratic cooperation and social technology exchange with neighboring countries, while also addressing challenges related to federal funding, education, and regional stability. Nixon expressed support for Ferre’s efforts to promote Puerto Rico as a model of peaceful democratic transition and pledged continued cooperation regarding the island's Commonwealth status and legislative needs.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and John Connally to coordinate a firm, unified U.S. foreign policy toward Latin American nations that have expropriated American assets. The discussion focused on leveraging international lending agencies, such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, to apply economic pressure or withhold loans from countries like Chile and Bolivia that pursue anti-American policies. The participants agreed to bypass bureaucratic hesitation from the State Department to ensure a more cohesive and hard-nosed strategy, including a potential policy shift regarding relations with the Chilean military.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate administrative and diplomatic priorities, specifically agreeing to exempt Latin American nations from a proposed ten-percent foreign aid cut. They also discussed strategies for an upcoming meeting with Japanese official Takeo Fukuda and deliberated on the political complexities of South Vietnamese elections involving President Nguyen Van Thieu. The discussion further touched upon the administration's stance regarding the People's Republic of China and ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discussed the strategic importance of improving relations with Latin American nations to balance the administration’s focus on upcoming diplomatic initiatives in China, the Soviet Union, and elsewhere. Nixon emphasized a personal desire to engage with Latin American leaders, noting that the region had been neglected compared to other international priorities. Rogers was tasked with investigating potential opportunities for a presidential visit, specifically suggesting a trip to Paraguay to meet with Alfredo Stroessner.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff members to review a wide range of political, administrative, and foreign policy matters. The conversation covered the potential appointment of a new Secretary of Agriculture, upcoming Supreme Court nomination strategies, and the President's schedule, including his desire to minimize press interviews and public appearances. Additionally, the participants discussed U.S. foreign policy toward the Soviet Union, Latin America, and NATO, with Nixon emphasizing his intent to exert greater control over these diplomatic initiatives while managing the roles of Secretary of State William Rogers and Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig to discuss a wide range of administrative and foreign policy issues, including strategic planning for upcoming diplomatic summits with the Soviet Union and China, and the need for the President to engage in direct, private discussions with world leaders. They reviewed the status of the war in Vietnam, noting positive casualty trends and the importance of publicizing successes in Cambodia to maintain domestic and congressional support. Additionally, the President and his staff coordinated the logistics and messaging for First Lady Pat Nixon’s upcoming foreign travel, while also addressing trade negotiations with Japan and potential economic outreach initiatives for Latin American allies.
President Nixon and John B. Connally met to discuss upcoming diplomatic strategies, specifically the President's plan to engage with key allies in France, Germany, and Great Britain prior to his scheduled trips to China and the Soviet Union. Nixon proposed a series of individual meetings with foreign leaders rather than a large multilateral summit to avoid being outnumbered, while also coordinating a separate diplomatic effort involving Latin American nations for January. Additionally, the pair discussed the need for better internal coordination between Connally, George Shultz, and Henry Kissinger to align their political and economic objectives.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, Robert Finch, and Herbert Klein to strategize on U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America, emphasizing the need for stronger personal diplomacy and effective ambassadorships. The discussion centered on managing regional economic issues, specifically the import surcharge and tuna fishery disputes, while fostering relationships with friendly military regimes like Brazil's. Nixon directed the participants to form a working group to coordinate concrete programs and trade initiatives, aiming to demonstrate the effectiveness of his administration's diplomatic outreach.
President Nixon met with Brazilian President Emilio Garrastuzu Medici and Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters to discuss regional stability and intelligence cooperation in Latin America. The discussion focused on coordinating US-Brazil policies regarding the Organization of American States, managing potential threats from Cuba and Chile, and reviewing infrastructure projects like the Pan American Highway. The participants also established private communication channels and addressed the transition of Vernon Walters to the Central Intelligence Agency.
President Nixon instructed Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters to provide a confidential briefing to Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur F. Burns regarding Latin American political conditions. The briefing was intended to prepare Burns for his upcoming diplomatic trip to Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Venezuela. Walters agreed to coordinate with Burns to arrange the meeting at the latter's office later that afternoon.
President Nixon met with Archbishop Luigi Raimondi and Peter Flanigan, along with White House staff and photographers, to discuss the role of the Catholic Church in addressing global issues and social change, particularly in Latin America. Key topics included concerns about radical elements potentially exploiting the Church for destructive purposes, the importance of the Church as a force for stability, and the need for moderate US influence. Nixon also informed Raimondi about upcoming legislative support for Catholic schools, expressing confidence in the Church's positive global impact and his commitment to maintaining strong US-Vatican relations.
President Nixon met with Charles A. Meyer to review various ambassadorial appointments and discuss U.S. policy towards Latin America. The two assessed potential candidates for diplomatic posts, including the replacement for the ambassador in Mexico and leadership in Peru, while emphasizing the need for more effective engagement in the region. Nixon encouraged Meyer to remain available for future administrative assignments and international delegations, particularly regarding Inter-American affairs, following Meyer's transition back to the private sector at Sears.
President Nixon met with Carlos Sanz de Santamaria and William J. Jorden to discuss the declining relevance of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the future of U.S.-Latin American relations. Santamaria proposed restructuring the OAS to prioritize economic development over obsolete security mandates and suggested creating an organization similar to the OECD to foster regional cooperation. Nixon expressed interest in reexamining institutional goals and indicated a willingness to work toward a new, pragmatic policy approach, provided it aligns with his 'Nixon Doctrine' of encouraging self-help and respecting national diversity.
President Nixon instructs James Keogh of the USIA to meet with recently returned prisoner of war General John B. Flynn to discuss propaganda strategies and ideological warfare. The President highlights Flynn's observations regarding the effectiveness of Chinese and Soviet propaganda magazines provided to POWs, as well as the communist focus on education, land reform, and health in Latin America. Keogh agrees to convene his top staff for a briefing with the General to evaluate potential improvements to U.S. information operations.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss the difficulty of finding qualified personnel for an unspecified position, weighing the challenges of legal and financial complications against the need for a mature, capable candidate. The conversation touches on the frustrations of delegating authority to individuals who attempt to overreach their roles, specifically mentioning a candidate who demanded control over staff appointments. Nixon ultimately expresses a desire to avoid hasty decisions regarding these personnel matters and briefly confirms Rogers’s upcoming diplomatic trip to Latin America.
President Nixon met with Secretary of State William Rogers, UN Ambassador John Scali, and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to discuss international affairs and the mounting pressure of the Watergate scandal. The conversation covered progress on foreign relations, including Rogers's recent trip to Latin America and planned diplomatic messaging for the Middle East, while Nixon expressed frustration with the administration's political paralysis and persistent negative media coverage. Nixon analyzed the unfolding Watergate investigations, including the role of former aides, the potential for grand jury testimony, and the necessity of managing public perceptions and congressional hearings to protect the presidency.
President Nixon met with bipartisan Congressional leaders, Vice President Agnew, and key cabinet members to discuss U.S. foreign policy developments in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Secretary of State William Rogers briefed the group on his recent tour of eight Latin American nations, emphasizing improved diplomatic relations despite complex issues regarding oil, inflation, and expropriation. Henry Kissinger provided an update on ongoing negotiations in Paris aimed at reinforcing the Vietnam ceasefire, while he and the President outlined a new strategy for strengthening Atlantic alliances, stressing the need to link economic, political, and defense policies to ensure future international stability.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed the scheduling requirements for a Council of the Americas meeting. Nixon expressed concern regarding whether Secretary of State William P. Rogers needed to attend, contingent upon whether the Council had already met with Rogers following his recent trip to Latin America. Bull was tasked with verifying the Council's itinerary to determine if Rogers' presence at the White House was necessary.
President Nixon met with Secretary of State William P. Rogers and the Board of Trustees of the Council of the Americas to discuss the status of United States relations with Latin America following Rogers's recent diplomatic tour of the region. The conversation addressed challenges such as political anti-Americanism, foreign expropriation of assets, and the need for a coherent long-term strategy for the Western Hemisphere. To foster closer cooperation, the participants agreed to form a study group tasked with developing an integrated economic and political program for the next decade, with Nixon emphasizing the necessity of maintaining strong national defense to support these foreign policy goals.