Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
24 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Kissinger, Haig, Agnew
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy for an upcoming press conference, specifically focusing on messaging regarding arms control, the Soviet Union, and ongoing military operations in Vietnam. They discussed the tactical necessity of linking offensive and defensive weapon limitations in future Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) negotiations. Additionally, the pair reviewed the military situation in Vietnam, focusing on road access and enemy movements as they finalized public talking points.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate foreign policy strategy, specifically discussing the delay of a USS Enterprise visit to Chile and the ongoing management of U.S. bombing authorizations in Vietnam. They reviewed press criticism of the administration’s handling of the conflict in Laos and debated the potential effectiveness of public statements regarding Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Ultimately, the President decided to maintain a firm stance on administration messaging despite negative media coverage and legislative inquiries.
President Nixon met with his National Security Council and key cabinet officials to receive a high-level briefing on developments in Soviet strategic capabilities, particularly concerning new ICBM silo construction and ballistic missile test programs. The participants evaluated the implications of these technological advancements for U.S. defense posture, including the necessity of maintaining a robust anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system. Discussions emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to strategic negotiations and the potential impact of Soviet military growth on current arms limitation efforts.
President Nixon met with Gerard C. Smith and General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to facilitate a photo opportunity during the signing of a private letter containing instructions for the U.S. ambassador. The discussion touched upon the administration's public diplomatic position and the prospects for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Nixon expressed skepticism regarding immediate progress, suggesting that negotiations would likely remain stalled until the conclusion of the Soviet Party Congress.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss urgent foreign policy matters, specifically the status of Vietnam negotiations and ongoing relations with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. Kissinger briefed the President on planned communications with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin regarding the Vietnam conflict, while the two analyzed political fallout from domestic media coverage and recent anti-war demonstrations. Additionally, they reviewed poll data on the administration's Vietnam policy and discussed the political necessity of maintaining a firm stance against partisan criticism from Democrats.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to review and coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the brief discussion was the logistics regarding Nixon's planned meetings with the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) delegation. No major policy decisions were reached during this short administrative consultation.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss the strategic management of upcoming Congressional votes, specifically the Mansfield Amendment, and a significant breakthrough in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). To maintain leverage and avoid the appearance of political maneuvering, Nixon instructs Rogers to confidentially brief Senator Mike Mansfield about the progress on SALT only after the Senate vote concludes. They also address diplomatic logistics, including Vice President Agnew’s planned attendance at South Korean President Park Chung-hee’s inauguration and the potential for Rogers to represent the U.S. at an Atoms for Peace anniversary event in Geneva.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger to finalize the announcement of a breakthrough in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), emphasizing the need for a brief and controlled public presentation. Following this, the President convened a broader group of officials to address domestic policy, specifically focusing on expanding agricultural drought relief for Texas and Oklahoma and managing national economic policy, including interest rates and housing market stability. The meeting concluded with a review of upcoming congressional votes, where administration staff expressed confidence in defeating the Mathias Amendment.
President Nixon directed Henry Kissinger to organize an informal cocktail reception for Gerard C. Smith and the SALT delegation before their return to Vienna for further negotiations. While Kissinger initially expressed concern that the event might signal a loosening of oversight on the negotiators, Nixon clarified that the gathering was strictly social in nature. The President finalized plans to host the event in the State Dining Room, including the invitation of William P. Rogers, Melvin R. Laird, and Admiral Thomas H. Moorer.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to announce a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Nixon informed the attendees of a forthcoming joint statement with the Soviet Union pledging to focus on limiting anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems and certain offensive strategic weapons. While some lawmakers advocated for immediate unilateral U.S. defense cuts to demonstrate good faith, the President and his advisors successfully urged the leaders to maintain existing defense programs during the negotiations to avoid losing vital bargaining leverage.
President Nixon consulted with John A. Scali regarding media relations and the effective communication of administration messaging. The discussion touched upon the public and press reception of the President's upcoming schedule, including coverage by NBC's John Chancellor concerning relations with the PRC and the USSR. They also coordinated details regarding a social event for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) negotiators involving key cabinet members and the Nixon family.
President Nixon met with key advisors including John Ehrlichman, George Shultz, and Henry Kissinger to navigate a broad agenda covering economic policy, domestic legislative priorities, and the recent Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreement. The participants discussed strategies for managing inflation and fiscal policy, coordinating economic messaging through the Quadriad, and securing congressional support for revenue-sharing initiatives. Furthermore, the President focused on maintaining political discipline regarding his SALT negotiations, successfully leveraging support from key figures like McGeorge Bundy to bolster the agreement's reception among Senate leadership.
President Nixon directs Henry Kissinger to meet with columnist Joseph Alsop to manage his public reporting and address his frustrations regarding administration policy. Additionally, Nixon and Kissinger coordinate on the timing of a statement regarding Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), with Nixon advising that comments concerning Gerard C. Smith be withheld until after Smith returns from Vienna to prevent premature international disclosure.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy regarding sensitive international negotiations, including Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), relations with the People's Republic of China, and the ongoing war in Vietnam. They discussed managing diplomatic obstacles, such as the potential for an undesirable five-power conference, while Kissinger prepared for upcoming meetings with Soviet ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin. Furthermore, the two prioritized maintaining strict control over sensitive records to circumvent potential leaks from the State and Defense Department bureaucracies, which Nixon explicitly stated he no longer trusted.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss a successful meeting with senators and coordinate on various foreign policy and administrative issues. They deliberate on potential diplomatic assignments, including a proposed trip to Japan and Vietnam by John Connally, and express frustration regarding the conduct of Gerard C. Smith at the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Additionally, they evaluate administrative strategy regarding UN voting, specifically aiming to pressure countries like Panama and Venezuela to support U.S. positions.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the escalating India-Pakistan War and its potential impact on U.S.-Soviet relations and the upcoming 1972 presidential election. The President expressed concern about the crisis jeopardizing the Moscow Summit and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, while Kissinger emphasized the need to prevent an Indian attack on West Pakistan. They further explored the possibility of leveraging military actions in North Vietnam to send a strategic message to both the Soviet Union and China regarding U.S. resolve.
President Nixon met with the General Advisory Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament to deliberate on the ongoing negotiations with the Soviet Union regarding strategic arms limitations. The discussion focused on the complexities of ABM systems, the technical challenges of verification, and the political implications of potential agreements for domestic support and international relations. Participants also analyzed the strategic balance between the U.S. and the USSR, weighing the risks and opportunities of reaching a formal accord.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate the media strategy and final preparations for the President’s upcoming speech on the Vietnam War. They discussed the administration's decision to withhold advance copies of the speech from the press, opting instead to have Kissinger personally brief television networks to ensure control over the narrative regarding North Vietnamese aggression and South Vietnamese resilience. Additionally, the participants reviewed the status of Soviet diplomatic relations, including the status of strategic arms limitation talks and the logistics for the President's upcoming Moscow summit.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss internal administrative friction regarding ongoing arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union, specifically targeting the obstructionist behavior of Gerard C. Smith. Kissinger reports that Smith is attempting to undermine the inclusion of submarine provisions in the potential treaty, a move the Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly oppose. Nixon and Kissinger affirm their decision to proceed with a public statement on the progress of these negotiations to ensure they receive credit and to prevent the Soviets from controlling the narrative via leaks.
General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. convened a meeting with administration officials, including representatives from the State Department, Department of Defense, and the NSC, to establish strict coordination protocols for public communications following a potential arms limitation agreement in Moscow. Participants were instructed to centralize all public statements and congressional briefings through White House channels to ensure consistency and to minimize unauthorized commentary until the President returned. The group also discussed creating target lists of supporters and preparing rationale papers to manage public and legislative reception of the agreement once it was officially announced.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and key Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate legislative strategy on critical administration priorities, specifically revenue sharing, the defense procurement bill, and Vietnam-related war powers resolutions. The discussion focused on overcoming Democratic resistance to the President’s revenue-sharing program and maintaining a firm legislative stance on maintaining military strength. Nixon emphasized that American foreign policy, including negotiations with the Soviet Union, remains contingent upon the credibility of U.S. defenses and a unified national commitment.
Henry Kissinger and Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. discussed the logistical and political challenges of using civilian-manned ships for maritime operations in the context of ongoing Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). They evaluated the feasibility of transitioning ships from Navy to non-Navy status to appease Soviet demands while navigating potential obstacles, including maritime union opposition and congressional funding concerns. Ultimately, Kissinger expressed skepticism regarding the proposal's complexity and suggested the plan might be abandoned due to the difficulty of managing internal government stakeholders.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to review the President's performance in a recent National Security Council meeting and discuss upcoming foreign policy maneuvers. They analyzed complex strategic issues, including the potential for a nuclear test ban, Soviet missile throw-weight advantages, and the impact of the Trident program on future negotiations. Additionally, they coordinated a strategy for releasing military contracts to Pakistan, emphasizing the need to manage diplomatic friction with India and prioritize broader geopolitical interests involving the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to refine strategy regarding Leonid Brezhnev’s ongoing visit and the upcoming Agreement on the Prevention of Nuclear War. They discussed whether to seek a Congressional resolution for the agreement, ultimately deciding against it to avoid unnecessary legislative scrutiny. Additionally, the pair reviewed the President's foreign policy accomplishments, specifically noting the positive shifts in media coverage and public perception despite the ongoing Watergate scandal.