184–6

Conversation No. 184-6

Date: December 18, 1972
Time: 10:48 am - 11:11 am
Location: Camp David Study Desk

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

Vietnam War
-Ziegler’s press conference
-US bombing and mining of North Vietnam
-William Beecher’s New York Times article
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Washington Star
-Washington Post
-Source
-[National Security Council] [NSC]
-Kissinger’s reaction
-The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
-Purpose
-Settlement agreement
-Enemy buildup and offensive action
-Kissinger’s press conference
-Negotiations
-Negotiations
-Enemy buildup and offensive action
-Invasion of South Vietnam
-Points to make
 -4-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)

Conversation No. 184-6 (cont’d)

-Settlement agreement
-Prolongation of war and negotiations
-The President’s memorandum
-October 1972 agreement
-Principles
-Kissinger
-Negotiations
-Resumption
-Settlement agreement
-Nguyen Van Thieu
-Breakdown
-Thieu
-Purpose
-Enemy buildup and offensive action

Press relations
-Washington Post
-Alleged barring from White House
-Helen A. Thomas article
-Washington Post article in Style section
-Ziegler’s possible call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s possible conversation with Thelma C.
(“Pat”) Nixon
-Ziegler’s statement to United Press International [UPI]
-Tone
-Ziegler’s statement to the Washington Star
-Invitations
-Washington Star
-Press pool
-New York Times
-Washington Star
-New York Times
-Selection process
-Wire services
-Washington Post articles
-Style section
-Dorothy McCardle
-Associated Press [AP] photographs
-Pool report
-White House access policy
 -5-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)

Conversation No. 184-6 (cont’d)

-San Antonio Light
-[Marianne Means] [?]
-Wire services
-Mrs. Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Ziegler’s view
-Washington Post’s attitude toward White House
-Alleged barring from White House
-Discrimination claim
-Thomas article
-Unknown article
-White House access policy
-UPI
-Press pool
-Criticism
-Washington Star
-New York Times
-Local compared to national coverage
-Ziegler’s conversation with Kenneth W. Clawson
-Past access
-Freedom of the press
-Prerogative claim
-Social events
-Open House
-Candlelight tour
-Ziegler’s conversation with David
-Washington Star
-Kraslow
-Sources
-Past practice
-Washington, DC
-Influence of Washington Post and New York Times
-Call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Washington Post
-Alleged barring from White House
-Ziegler’s possible call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-The President’s possible call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-New York Times
-Contact with Kissinger
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman, Ziegler
-State Department
 -6-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)

Conversation No. 184-6 (cont’d)

-Haldeman, Ziegler

The President’s schedule
-Dinner party
-Announcement
-Timing
-Attendees
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth
-Howard K. Smith
-Richard L. Wilson
-Katherine Young (Macy) Wilson
-Anne L. Armstrong
-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer

Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Announcement
-Timing
-Washington Star

Press relations
-Washington Star
-White House social events
-Local compared to national coverage
-Kansas City Star
-Dallas Times Herald
-Washington Star
-Timing
-Wire services
-Ziegler’s conversation with Patrick J. Buchanan

Vietnam War
-Kissinger’s press conference
-Negotiations
-Ziegler’s press conference
-US bombing and mining of North Vietnam
-Kissinger’s advice to Ziegler
-Settlement agreement
-The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
-Continuation
 -7-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-08)

Conversation No. 184-6 (cont’d)

-Settlement agreement
-Purpose
-Enemy buildup and offensive action
-The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-Cease-fire
-Free elections in South Vietnam