Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Richard Helms
32 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haig, Bull, Ziegler
These are conversations about Richard Helms. For the 32 conversations Helms took part in, see Richard Helms’s page →
When Richard Helms comes up
Related topics: CIAWhite House operationsPresidential schedulingPresidential communicationWatergateNational SecuritySchedulingHenry KissingerDaniel EllsbergWhite House communicationsVernon A. WaltersPublic relationsPentagon PapersL. Patrick Gray
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the allegiances and perceived loyalty of CIA Director Richard Helms following a prior meeting. Nixon expresses concern regarding the internal dynamics of the intelligence agency and emphasizes the necessity of having a clear understanding of where Helms’s loyalties lie. The conversation concludes with Kissinger confirming that Helms has become a more reliable and forthright proponent of the administration’s objectives.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman held a brief, cryptic discussion regarding potential personnel changes involving CIA Director Richard M. Helms. The conversation centers on the administration's skepticism regarding Helms's ability to fulfill specific requirements or maintain a desired focus. No formal decision was finalized during this one-minute exchange.
President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield to discuss the logistics of an upcoming engagement involving CIA Director Richard M. Helms. The brief exchange focused on coordinating the Director's return and ensuring the administration's readiness for a significant, unspecified event. The conversation emphasizes the President's reliance on Butterfield to manage the sensitivities and execution of this task.
On November 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:23 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 015-060 of the White House Tapes.
On November 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:27 am and 10:45 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 015-064 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger strategized on the structure of an upcoming briefing regarding the current international situation. Seeking to balance high-level participation, Nixon determined that CIA Director Richard Helms would be excluded, while Secretary of State William Rogers would be included to maintain a specific optics strategy. The meeting concluded with plans to organize the sequence of presenters to ensure the desired political balance during the sessions.
On April 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:14 pm and 2:06 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-108 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler, Stephen Bull, and Rose Mary Woods to coordinate logistical and administrative matters regarding his daily schedule. The discussion involved planning for a meeting with White House secretaries and the preparation of photographs. The participants also touched upon internal staffing details, specifically mentioning Richard Helms and Alexander Butterfield.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to relay a directive to intelligence agencies—specifically mentioning Richard Helms’ organization—demanding immediate, creative propaganda strategies regarding the Vietnam War. Frustrated by a perceived lack of initiative, Nixon insisted that staff work through the night to develop non-routine ideas that could strike terror into the enemy. The conversation concluded with the President emphasizing the urgency of the situation and acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the support staff.
On June 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:07 am and 12:30 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 025-070 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon updates CIA Director Richard Helms regarding a recent meeting with Mexican President Luis Echeverría. Nixon confirms that he has authorized a private discussion between Echeverría and Helms, intending to facilitate a high-level intelligence channel. The President also instructs Helms to brief the Mexican leader on U.S. foreign policy perspectives concerning the Soviet Union and China.
On July 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:16 pm and 1:02 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 026-042 of the White House Tapes.
On July 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone from 1:00 pm to 1:02 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 026-043 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon directs Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to implement a strict, uncooperative approach regarding any potential security briefings for Paul C. Warnke, citing Warnke’s dismissive public statements about previous interactions with Henry Kissinger. Nixon explicitly orders that CIA Director Richard Helms subject Warnke to aggressive, sworn questioning concerning his possible connections to Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. The conversation also touches on the President's satisfaction with current Vietnam negotiation delays as a tactic to manage domestic political critics, noting that anti-war rhetoric from figures like Ramsey Clark has begun to backfire.
President Nixon directs Alexander Haig to instruct CIA Director Richard Helms to conduct a rigorous, sworn investigation into the involvement of individuals associated with the Pentagon Papers and Daniel Ellsberg. Nixon emphasizes the need for a sanitized, restrictive approach when dealing with outside inquiries, explicitly ordering that no sensitive information be leaked to the press or unauthorized parties. Additionally, the President critiques Henry Kissinger’s negotiation strategy regarding the Vietnam War, arguing that minor concessions should not distract from the necessity of securing a favorable political settlement.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Stephen B. Bull to discuss operational planning for the 1973 Inauguration, including venue logistics and the President's public appearances. The participants also reviewed second-term staff reorganization, focusing on potential roles for Julie Nixon Eisenhower and the need for stronger executive support for congressional liaison William Timmons. Additionally, they addressed the sensitive transition of Richard Helms from the CIA to an ambassadorship and expressed frustration over Henry Kissinger’s recent press interactions.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator and staff member Marjorie P. Acker to arrange a secure telephone call with CIA Director Richard M. Helms. The President emphasized strict security protocols, specifying that he only wished to speak with Helms if the communication line was secure and free from risks associated with the Director’s current travel status. The conversation concluded with the President instructing the operator to verify Helms's location and availability before initiating any contact.
On December 27, 1972, the White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 10:53 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-011 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon dictated a memorandum outlining instructions for CIA Director Richard Helms regarding his upcoming transition to the ambassadorship in Iran. The President tasked Helms with conducting a comprehensive analysis of Middle Eastern political stability and the regional oil situation as it pertains to the energy security of the United States, Europe, and Japan. Additionally, the directive addressed Helms' recent communications with John Connally concerning Middle Eastern diplomatic travel and established the framework for their future consultations on these critical national security matters.
On January 25, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:34 pm and 6:18 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-112 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon consulted CIA Director Richard Helms regarding his upcoming appointment as Ambassador to Iran and his role in addressing the unstable situation surrounding Iranian oil. Nixon emphasized the need for Helms to exert broader influence over regional stability in the Persian Gulf, suggesting an early trip to the region despite Helms’s initial plans for a mid-March departure. Helms was instructed to consult with John Ehrlichman, Peter Flanigan, and John Connally to prepare for this mission, which aimed to consolidate U.S. interests and intelligence prior to an anticipated crisis.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a logistical plan for sending floral arrangements and personalized messages to the wives and mothers of returning prisoners of war. The discussion also addressed adjustments to the President's upcoming schedule, specifically prioritizing meetings with Donald Rumsfeld regarding his NATO assignment and Richard Helms prior to his departure. Nixon finalized these scheduling priorities, emphasizing the need for photographic records of these personnel transitions.
President Nixon met with outgoing CIA Director Richard Helms to discuss Helms's upcoming ambassadorial appointment to Iran and to provide strategic guidance on global foreign policy. Nixon emphasized the importance of Helms applying his intelligence background to the critical issue of energy and oil production while maintaining a balanced, pragmatic approach to international relations. The two also addressed the challenges of managing global criticism of the U.S., regional security dynamics in the Persian Gulf, and the complex geopolitical task of negotiating a Middle East settlement between Israel and the Arab states.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull in the Oval Office to discuss upcoming events and personnel matters. Key topics included the schedule for the Apollo 17 astronauts' visit to Camp David and a potential meeting with them, as well as arrangements for a meeting with Sammy Davis Jr. The President also considered a report from Richard Helms and a meeting with Leonard H. Marks. A decision was made to give the astronauts watches and to meet with Sammy Davis Jr. on Saturday afternoon.
On February 28, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 12:30 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 037-007 of the White House Tapes.
On February 28, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:30 pm and 12:41 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 037-008 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the legal and political risks surrounding sensitive memoranda of conversation (memcons) related to the Watergate investigation and potential CIA involvement. Concerned about potential leaks and forthcoming testimony from officials like James Schlesinger and Vernon Walters, Nixon insisted that these documents remain in White House possession to protect national security and the administration's legal standing. The two also coordinated a strategy for press secretary Ronald Ziegler to counter negative narratives by emphasizing past administrations' use of wiretaps and ensuring the administration's public stance on cooperation remains consistent.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss legal strategy regarding the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on John Dean’s role and his potential testimony. They review documentation of Dean's interactions with Lt. Gen. Vernon Walters, aiming to frame these as standard investigative procedures while distancing the President from Dean’s actions. The two conclude that J. Fred Buzhardt should consult with Richard Helms to assert national security privilege over specific records to limit their disclosure during the ongoing inquiry.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the administration’s strategy regarding Watergate-related documents, specifically focusing on the handling of memoranda of conversation (memcons) and the containment of information held by Vernon Walters and Richard Helms. They emphasize the necessity of maintaining a unified stance that no such records exist or will be released, framing this as a critical protection of presidential papers under the guise of national security. Furthermore, they coordinate efforts to contact L. Patrick Gray for testimony and confirm the preparation of additional materials by Leonard Garment for review at Camp David.
President Nixon directed Alexander Haig to contact H.R. Haldeman regarding his recent meeting with Richard Helms, Vernon Walters, and John Ehrlichman. Nixon expressed frustration over the perception of a cover-up and instructed Haig to reassure Haldeman that their actions were based on presidential directives to investigate the matter. The discussion highlights Nixon’s effort to manage the fallout of the Watergate scandal by ensuring his staff remained firm in their defense against the ongoing investigation.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the strategic public release of information regarding Senator Thomas Eagleton’s medical history at the Barnes Hospital and the Mayo Clinic. Nixon directs Haig to ensure Henry Petersen pursues the investigation immediately to shape public perception. The two also touch upon the career status and potential culpability of Richard Helms, with Nixon expressing a desire to support him while distancing him from wrongdoing.
President Nixon directs Ronald Ziegler to coordinate a strategy involving Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott to demand the release of Kennedy and Johnson-era wiretap records. Nixon orders the immediate public disclosure of information regarding the Daniel Ellsberg break-in, insisting it be handled decisively despite potential political fallout. Additionally, Nixon instructs Ziegler to signal to Richard Helms that he intends to declassify sensitive materials related to the Bay of Pigs and the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, pressuring Helms to prepare for the imminent release of these records.