Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on State dinner
28 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Woods
President Nixon hosted a group of private visitors in the Cabinet Room to discuss formal White House protocol and upcoming diplomatic events. The conversation touched upon the logistics of hosting high-level officials, specifically mentioning the care taken for presidential gifts and the arrangements for an arrival ceremony and state dinner for the French Foreign Minister. No major policy decisions were reached, as the meeting served primarily as an informal interaction between the President and his guests.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield reviewed final preparations for an upcoming formal white-tie dinner. They coordinated the protocol for the evening, specifically confirming that the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps would be first in the receiving line and would offer brief remarks in response to the President. The event, supported by the State Department and William B. Macomber, Jr., was structured to follow the precedent set by a previous dinner for African diplomats.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate the logistics and guest list for an upcoming state dinner honoring West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. Nixon expressed frustration with the size and formality of previous diplomatic dinners, insisting on a larger guest list of approximately 80 people to minimize his personal interaction with attendees. The President directed Butterfield to streamline the event's physical arrangements to ensure a static, less demanding environment for himself.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to review the President’s upcoming schedule and administrative priorities. Key discussion points included the leadership agenda regarding Secretary of State William P. Rogers and logistical preparations for a state visit by Yugoslavian officials. The participants specifically focused on the planning of a state dinner, involving a directive to Rex W. Scouten regarding wine procurement and budgetary considerations.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discuss the logistical arrangements and entertainment choices for an upcoming State dinner. The conversation focuses on the technical aspects of film presentation and the duration of performance segments, with the President providing specific feedback on the proposed format. Nixon also critiques the quality of a specific entertainer, ultimately deciding against the inclusion of certain background sound options for the films.
Secret Service agents and White House valet Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics and security protocols for the President's schedule and an upcoming State Dinner. The discussion addressed concerns regarding functional issues with a workplace system and established movement plans. These logistical arrangements ensured the security and transition of the President to his next scheduled engagement.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to finalize administrative details for upcoming White House events, including a state dinner for Indira Gandhi. They discussed the guest list for the dinner and reviewed potential speakers for a religious service scheduled for November 14, 1971. The President evaluated recommendations from Charles Colson and Robert Finch regarding the service, ultimately addressing the logistical difficulties of securing guests for the event.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the guest list for an upcoming state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Nixon expresses strong personal distaste for former U.S. ambassadors to India, specifically Chester Bowles and John Kenneth Galbraith, while confirming that these individuals were excluded from the invitation list. The conversation concludes with the President deciding not to involve former ambassadors in the event protocols.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, reviewed the guest list and logistical arrangements for an upcoming state dinner honoring Turkish Prime Minister Nihat Erim. The discussion focused on confirming attendance for various prominent figures, including Max M. Fisher and Del E. Webb, while addressing potential issues regarding missing invitations. The pair specifically noted the delivery status of an invitation intended for O.J. Simpson and evaluated the influence of various contributors on the guest selection process.
President Nixon speaks with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, in a brief personal exchange following a state dinner held for the Turkish Prime Minister. The President commends Julie's performance during the event and briefly discusses upcoming scheduling details, including his plans for the Easter holiday and a visit to Camp David. They also touch upon the President's professional calendar and movie screenings coordinated by White House projectionist Paul Fisher.
President Nixon met with Phillip Sanchez, George Shultz, and Alexander Butterfield to discuss the administration's outreach efforts to the Spanish-speaking community and the operational challenges facing the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Nixon emphasized that the administration must prioritize honesty, fiscal responsibility, and tangible results over the empty promises of the previous Great Society programs. Sanchez received confirmation of his standing within the administration, with Nixon encouraging him to continue his direct communication with both the President and Shultz to advocate for his initiatives.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield, Rose Mary Woods, and Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate administrative and diplomatic logistics. The primary focus involved planning a state dinner for Mexican President Luis Echeverría Álvarez, including guest list management, entertainment, and the participation of astronauts. Additionally, Nixon and Ziegler reviewed press briefing strategies regarding foreign policy, specifically covering Henry Kissinger’s upcoming trip to China, Soviet diplomatic activity, and the SALT negotiations.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met in the Oval Office to finalize logistical and ceremonial details for an upcoming State Dinner honoring Mexican President Luis Echeverría Álvarez. The discussion focused on complex seating arrangements, the management of invitation lists for various staff and guests, and the specific tone and structure of official toasts. Stephen B. Bull joined the session briefly as the President coordinated additional scheduling matters, including a meeting with John D. Ehrlichman.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming state dinner honoring Sir Alexander F. Douglas-Home. The discussion centered on room selection and seating configurations, specifically navigating the usage of the Red and Blue Rooms for the small group. They agreed on a plan to maintain the group's proximity at the table to facilitate conversation throughout the event.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the guest list for an upcoming state dinner honoring former Japanese Prime Minister Eisuku Sato. Nixon exercised strict control over the invitations, explicitly excluding various cabinet members, senators, and White House staff to focus on specific Japanese-American relations. Additionally, the pair briefly discussed logistics for a dinner honoring Georgia O'Keeffe and reviewed speech drafts for upcoming policy announcements.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Rose Mary Woods to coordinate final arrangements for upcoming social events, including a dinner at Camp David and a State dinner. The discussion focused on fine-tuning guest lists, managing seating arrangements at round tables to facilitate mingling, and selecting appropriate menu items and entertainment. Nixon specifically directed the staff to ensure Cabinet secretaries and other key officials were integrated into the events to foster better professional and social relations.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, and assistant Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative tasks and social planning. The discussion focused on managing the President's personal correspondence with celebrity acquaintances like Jane Wyman, delegating the handling of incoming telephone calls, and finalizing the guest list for an upcoming state dinner for King Hussein of Jordan. Nixon emphasized the need for a more structured approach to managing his communications to ensure effective engagement with his contacts.
L. Dean Brown and Henry A. Kissinger met to finalize the complex logistics and protocol for a state dinner hosted by President Nixon for King Hussein ibn Talal of Jordan. The discussion covered sensitive arrangements for the arrival ceremony, seating protocols for the King and Queen, and the selection of entertainment to ensure the event's success. The participants also touched upon broader diplomatic concerns, including the status of foreign dignitaries and the presentation of credentials by various ambassadors.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed protocol and security arrangements for an upcoming state dinner hosting King Hussein of Jordan. The pair focused on logistics regarding vehicle transport and seating for the official party to avoid potential security risks and crowd management issues. Nixon directed Bull to handle these instructions carefully so that the guests would not be offended by the revised itinerary.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss the guest list and scheduling logistics for an upcoming state dinner honoring King Hussein of Jordan. The dialogue focuses on clarifying potential timing conflicts and verifying that controversial or inappropriate invitees are excluded from the event. The conversation concludes with a consensus that the proposed scheduling concerns are likely unfounded.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate logistical details for upcoming presidential travel and high-level diplomatic hosting. Their discussion primarily focused on scheduling for an impending trip to California and arranging entertainment for the official visit of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Notable guests considered for the entertainment program included renowned musicians such as Van Cliburn, Benny Goodman, and Lionel Hampton, with input from First Lady Pat Nixon.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate logistical arrangements for an upcoming state dinner honoring Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The discussion focused on establishing precise protocol for the arrival of the color guard and the timing of musical fanfares during the event. Additionally, they reviewed details regarding the guest list, specifically confirming the status of Paul W. Keyes as a new staff member expected to participate in the receiving line.
President Nixon spoke with his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, to inform her that he would be unavailable that evening due to his need for rest. The two also briefly discussed the upcoming state dinner for Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. Julie confirmed that preparations were complete and noted the high level of public interest and demand for attendance at the event.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, discuss the implementation of attendance limits for White House staff at official social events. The conversation focuses specifically on the guest list for the upcoming state dinner for West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. During the discussion, they evaluate the inclusion of Peter M. Flanigan, noting his involvement in ongoing treaty negotiations.
President Nixon directed his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to reschedule a meeting with John B. Connally from late afternoon to the following morning at 10:00 am. Nixon cited a cold and the need to prepare for an upcoming state dinner honoring Haile Selassie as the reasons for the change. Bull confirmed that he would arrange the adjustment to the President's schedule.
President Nixon consulted his secretary, Rose Mary Woods, regarding the entertainment arrangements for an upcoming dinner with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The discussion focused on finalizing the lineup, specifically confirming the participation of the Johnny Mann Singers and Debbie Reynolds as preferred choices of Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The President also briefly considered the feasibility of including entertainer Danny Kaye, noting potential concerns regarding his reception by the Soviet delegation.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate final logistics for an upcoming state dinner honoring Leonid Brezhnev. The discussion focused on managing the guest list, the structure of the receiving line, and the timing of remarks to accommodate television network coverage. Nixon emphasized the necessity of precise preparation for the event's ceremonial elements.
President Nixon directed Stephen B. Bull to ensure that proper lighting arrangements were made for the podium to be used at that evening’s state dinner for Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Emphasizing the importance of the setup, the President specifically requested that the lighting be sufficient for both himself and his guest. Bull committed to executing these instructions immediately.