Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Middle East diplomacy
37 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, Bull, Haldeman
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate upcoming National Security Council (NSC) meetings, refine public relations strategies regarding Vietnam, and discuss ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The President expressed frustration with internal leaks and administrative friction between Henry Kissinger and Secretary of State William Rogers. Decisions were made to streamline briefing procedures for the NSC and to manage diplomatic messaging to the press and Congress regarding the Vietnam conflict.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Alexander Haig met to discuss the volatile diplomatic landscape of the Middle East, focusing specifically on Israeli concerns regarding potential border adjustments and U.S. policy. The participants examined the implications of a return to 1967 borders, the role of the Soviet Union in the region, and the necessity of maintaining military support for Israel. The discussion concluded with a consensus on the need to consult Joseph Sisco to better align future U.S. policy options ahead of a scheduled meeting with Secretary of State William Rogers.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger, to review administrative priorities following his March 4, 1971, press conference. The discussion focused on managing public and media reactions to the Vietnam War and Laos operations, as well as addressing ongoing Middle East diplomatic developments. Additionally, Kissinger updated the President on his efforts to challenge anti-administration sentiment among the academic and policy "establishment" during a recent appearance at the Brookings Institution.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the Israeli proposal for a Suez Canal withdrawal, a diplomatic development encouraged by Henry Kissinger to secure a temporary period of stability in the Middle East. Haig expressed concern that the State Department might react negatively to the proposal's initial toughness, potentially leading to a premature rejection by the Egyptians. They concluded that the administration should allow the diplomatic process to play out for now, with the President reserving potential intervention with Israeli leadership for a later stage.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss a proposed diplomatic tour of the Middle East, which would follow Rogers' scheduled attendance at SEATO and CENTO meetings in London and Ankara. Nixon encourages the trip, noting its potential to shift media focus away from Vietnam and capitalize on invitations from Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Additionally, the two touch upon labor relations, specifically regarding Nixon’s recent outreach to George Meany and building trades leaders, as well as the positive impact of the President's recent China initiative on public discourse.
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 met with H.R. Haldeman and later Ronald Ziegler to discuss public relations strategies in response to recent anti-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C. They debated how the administration should publicly address the protests, balancing the need to remain firm against the demonstrators while acknowledging the overall peaceful nature of the events. Additionally, they coordinated talking points for Ziegler's upcoming press conference, focusing on foreign policy initiatives, including Secretary of State William P. Rogers' trip to the Middle East and potential future outreach to the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon and his Cabinet met to receive a briefing on international affairs and domestic policy, with a focus on Secretary of State William P. Rogers' recent diplomatic travels to the Middle East and the feasibility of desalinization technology. Rogers reported on his efforts to stabilize the Middle East through ceasefire maintenance and discussed the geopolitical concerns of various regional leaders. Dr. Edward E. David Jr. and other experts presented a detailed plan to advance domestic water desalinization and nuclear power capabilities, with the President calling for a major, accelerated federal effort to ensure American technological leadership. The meeting concluded with a brief status report from Treasury Secretary David M. Kennedy regarding the current international monetary situation and the fluctuations of the dollar.
President Nixon met with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to discuss complex foreign policy strategies involving the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, and the Middle East. Nixon emphasized the importance of leveraging the Soviet Union's underlying anxiety regarding China while maintaining a careful, high-level approach to diplomatic overtures with the PRC. Regarding the Middle East, the President instructed Rogers to take a firm stance in negotiations, expressing personal willingness to apply pressure on Israel to reach a settlement while critiquing the current Israeli leadership.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss shifting diplomatic strategies regarding the Middle East and the fallout from a sensitive media leak concerning the People's Republic of China. The conversation addresses the influence of Soviet leadership on Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and examines statements made by King Faisal regarding Israel. Nixon and Rogers coordinate their response to the Washington Post report, evaluating the roles of Henry Kissinger and administration press secretaries in managing the potential security breach.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers coordinated their public messaging in preparation for an upcoming presidential press conference. They discussed maintaining a noncommittal stance on Middle East arms sales to Israel and ongoing Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction (MBFR) talks, while expressing sympathy for the domestic political pressures faced by Egyptian leader Anwar el-Sadat. Furthermore, the two men agreed on the necessity of bolstering American morale through more patriotic, upbeat public events and symbolic displays, such as those involving martial music.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig to discuss ongoing foreign policy challenges, specifically concerns regarding a proposed State Department cable to Cairo and the broader diplomatic strategy in the Middle East. The pair also addressed the political impact of the Pentagon Papers, with Nixon emphasizing the need for firm management of the situation to prevent further division among critics. Additionally, they reviewed military developments in Vietnam and Laos, focusing on the handling of press relations and the status of diplomatic negotiations.
President Nixon met with Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict and the strategic importance of stability in the Middle East. Prince Fahd conveyed a message from King Faisal regarding the desire of Egyptian leadership to move away from Soviet influence and toward a more constructive relationship with the United States. Nixon expressed his commitment to regional peace and emphasized the value of maintaining close bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia to counter the spread of radicalism and communism in the region.
Unnamed participants discuss the ongoing diplomatic stalemate in the Arab-Israeli conflict, specifically focusing on the intractable disagreement over territorial withdrawal and secure borders. The conversation highlights the fundamental tension between the Arab demand for full Israeli withdrawal and Israel’s insistence on maintaining strategic boundaries. The dialogue reflects a concern that the lack of progress on these core issues increases the likelihood of renewed hostilities.
President Nixon held a brief, informal discussion with an unidentified individual regarding matters pertaining to Israel. Given the extremely limited duration and fragmented nature of the recording, no specific policy decisions or substantive diplomatic actions are discernable from the transcript. The exchange serves primarily as a brief point of contact concerning Middle Eastern affairs.
In this extensive Oval Office meeting, President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and others discussed a variety of administrative and policy matters, including the selection of guests for upcoming White House events, the management of Cabinet and sub-cabinet appointees, and the President's upcoming diplomatic trips to the USSR and the People's Republic of China. A significant portion of the conversation focused on congressional strategy regarding national security, specifically managing Democratic support for administration policies amidst ongoing debates over Vietnam and foreign aid. Additionally, the President and his advisers addressed the leakage of sensitive foreign policy information, the potential for an interim settlement in the Middle East involving Israel, and the political fallout of his Vietnam withdrawal strategy.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and William Rogers met to coordinate strategy ahead of an upcoming visit from Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, specifically focusing on maintaining regional military balances and encouraging diplomatic negotiations. The participants agreed that the U.S. must provide security assurances and potential future arms deliveries to Israel without creating public, provocative announcements that could derail peace efforts. Additionally, the group discussed the timing of a future European Security Conference and potential summitry with the Soviet Union, as well as managing international monetary policy and high-level diplomatic scheduling regarding Italy, Canada, and China.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed complex diplomatic strategies regarding the Middle East, focusing on the implications of recent negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and the necessity of managing US-USSR-PRC relations. They strategized on how to stall formal settlement processes until at least 1973 to avoid political fallout and potential conflicts while maintaining the balance of power. Additionally, the conversation touched upon personnel matters, including the potential appointment of David M. Kennedy and the handling of the ongoing India-Pakistan crisis.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the geopolitical fallout of the Indo-Pakistani War, focusing on the roles of the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, and the United States. They evaluated the effectiveness of recent diplomatic maneuvers and military posturing, agreeing that the U.S. successfully demonstrated resolve to both global powers despite the conflict's outcome. The conversation also shifted to Vietnam, where the President authorized a military strategy involving air strikes against North Vietnamese targets to counter enemy aggression and address frustrations regarding the stalled Paris peace talks.
H.R. Haldeman briefs President Nixon on a conversation with Henry Kissinger regarding ongoing diplomatic issues, including Vietnam troop withdrawals and Middle East negotiations involving Yitzhak Rabin. They discuss Kissinger's frustration with mounting press leaks and rumors of his resignation, which he believes stem from internal bureaucratic opposition. Nixon and Haldeman agree that Kissinger's habit of taking media calls is a counterproductive distraction, and they finalize plans for a upcoming meeting between Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Secretary of State William Rogers.
President Nixon dictates a confidential memorandum to Secretary of State William P. Rogers to guide his upcoming discussions with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin ahead of the Moscow summit. The President emphasizes a cautious approach toward the summit agenda, specifically regarding the Middle East, Vietnam, and SALT negotiations, while urging Rogers to avoid premature commitments or explicit references to linkage. Nixon further instructs that US trade and credit concessions should be utilized as strategic bargaining chips rather than early giveaways. Finally, the President mandates that these sensitive guidelines remain restricted to Rogers and Henry Kissinger to maintain tactical control over the diplomatic process.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed sensitive foreign policy and electoral strategy ahead of the upcoming Soviet summit. They deliberated on the complex technical aspects of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), particularly regarding radar and missile site configurations, while seeking to prevent the bureaucracy and negotiator Gerard C. Smith from securing unfavorable terms. The pair also coordinated plans to have Secretary of State William P. Rogers conduct European diplomatic outreach to bolster the administration's position, while simultaneously managing the political risks associated with potential agreements in the Middle East and Vietnam during an election year.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and senior staff to discuss foreign policy developments, specifically focusing on Vietnam, Middle East peace strategies, and the logistics of upcoming summit travels to Russia, Poland, and Iran. The group deliberated on how to handle the political fallout from the ITT scandal and the associated legislative impacts, emphasizing the need for a more disciplined communication strategy. Nixon and his advisors also reviewed political maneuvering regarding the upcoming election, including the importance of tax rhetoric and the necessity of maintaining control over internal messaging.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss strategies for the 1972 election, focusing heavily on managing political opposition and framing the Vietnam War as a campaign asset. They reviewed potential diplomatic maneuvers, including a revised proposal for North Vietnam and approaches to Middle East tensions following the expulsion of Soviet advisors from Egypt. Nixon expressed deep frustration with the United Nations and the bureaucracy, directing Kissinger to adopt a colder, dismissive tone toward UN leadership and to initiate a post-election effort to purge unsupportive officials from the government.
President Nixon coordinated with staff members Stephen B. Bull and William H. Carruthers to finalize technical and logistical arrangements for a scheduled telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. The discussion focused on managing the broadcast of the call, including the timing of the connection and the involvement of the press. Following the direct conversation with Meir, Nixon participated in a photo session where he discussed regional Middle Eastern geopolitics and development with members of the media.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate foreign policy strategies and political messaging leading up to the 1972 election. They discussed the administration's response to the Munich Olympic massacre, secret negotiations with Egypt, and the management of a proposed bipartisan delegation to the People's Republic of China. Additionally, the two finalized plans for upcoming Soviet relations, including high-level visits by Andrei Gromyko, prospective trade agreements, and the timing of announcements for SALT II and other diplomatic initiatives to maximize domestic political impact.
President Nixon and Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson discussed Jackson’s upcoming diplomatic tour through Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, during which Jackson agreed to convey the President's regards to foreign leaders including Golda Meir and the Shah of Iran. The conversation also addressed Nixon’s second-term reorganization plans, specifically regarding personnel appointments and the restructuring of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Jackson offered his support for these efforts, promising to coordinate with Henry Kissinger regarding a list of recommended personnel changes and potential new appointments.
President Nixon met with Admiral Horacio Rivero, Jr., the new U.S. Ambassador to Spain, to provide guidance on his diplomatic objectives and assess the political future of the Spanish regime under General Francisco Franco. Nixon emphasized the importance of strengthening U.S.-Spanish relations through trade and mutual cooperation, while positioning Spain as a significant European power. The discussion also covered the transition to a post-Franco government, the necessity of maintaining a robust U.S. Sixth Fleet to ensure global stability, and the potential for Spain to serve as a diplomatic bridge between the United States and the Arab world.
President Nixon met with members of the Council on Environmental Quality and key administration advisors to discuss the content and delivery of his upcoming State of the Union messages. Nixon emphasized a desire for a positive, forward-looking tone regarding the environment and population growth, while shifting from a single speech to a series of ten installments to maintain sustained media interest. The conversation also touched upon the restructuring of intelligence and resource management, as well as complex diplomatic maneuvers involving Vietnam negotiations and potential Middle East initiatives.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy for upcoming diplomatic engagements, including meetings with British Prime Minister Edward Heath and potential high-level discussions regarding the Middle East, the Soviet Union, and China. They discussed managing economic tensions with Europe, timing future summits to maximize leverage, and maintaining a strategic approach to sensitive issues like Taiwan and nuclear treaties. The conversation also included logistical planning for Kissinger’s upcoming international travel and adjustments to the President's schedule to facilitate these diplomatic goals.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinated logistics for upcoming travel schedules, including Vice President Agnew's itinerary and Kissinger's planned return from Asia. They discussed the Vietnam peace process, specifically authorizing Ronald Ziegler to announce negotiations for a ceasefire in Paris, and agreed that Kissinger should visit Laos to leverage a ceasefire there. Additionally, they deliberated on diplomatic strategy regarding King Hussein of Jordan and how to manage a potential secret meeting with Egyptian representatives without triggering excessive interference from the State Department.
President Nixon met with key advisors and staff, including H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Henry Kissinger, to manage several pressing domestic and foreign policy issues. The discussion covered the President's upcoming appearance at the Gridiron dinner, strategic coordination for the proposed energy message and potential deregulation of gas prices, and the finalization of a tax reform package. Additionally, the President and his team addressed personnel matters regarding ACTION, debated the best approach for congressional relations, and received a comprehensive briefing from Kissinger on international developments, specifically regarding Vietnam, the Middle East, and relations with the People's Republic of China.
Henry A. Kissinger and Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin coordinate the strategy for an upcoming meeting between President Nixon and Prime Minister Golda Meir. They finalize the approach for discussing a potential interim agreement and formalize the U.S. commitment to address Israel's request for additional A-4 and F-4 aircraft. Kissinger confirms that the administration is prepared to approve a production figure of 100 planes, with further technical details to be managed through established diplomatic channels.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Joseph Sisco met to discuss a confidential diplomatic strategy for managing Middle East tensions through both formal channels and back-channel negotiations. The participants emphasized the necessity of maintaining secrecy and building psychological deterrence to manage Egyptian expectations and prevent military escalation, despite the intransigence of the Israeli government. Additionally, the President and Kissinger reviewed Sisco's potential future assignments, ultimately suggesting that his skills were best utilized in Washington to continue his active role in Middle East diplomacy rather than an ambassadorship in Moscow.
President Nixon met with Mrs. Cleo Noel and Mrs. G. Curtis Moore, the widows of two American diplomats killed by terrorists in Sudan, to offer his condolences and government support. The discussion covered the administration's efforts to combat international terrorism through United Nations sanctions and the challenges of navigating complex Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions. The President also expressed his personal commitment to pursuing a more peaceful world, framed as the objective for which their husbands gave their lives, and provided gifts for their families.
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, joined by Alexander Haig, met with William Scranton to recruit him for a high-level position as the administration's "energy czar." Nixon emphasized the need for a non-industry figure with political credibility to unify disparate agencies, manage complex foreign policy ties with oil-producing nations, and oversee long-term energy strategies. The discussion underscored the role's immense workload and political sensitivity, with Nixon urging Scranton to consider the offer after consulting with his wife. Throughout the meeting, the President also reflected on his broader foreign policy accomplishments, specifically regarding China, the Soviet Union, and the delicate diplomatic balance required in the Middle East.