35–2

Conversation No. 35-2

Date: December 26, 1972
Time: 4:36 pm - 4:52 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Charles W. Colson.

White House Staff's travel plans
-Henry A. Kissinger
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-Trip to West Coast
-Working habits

Public relations [PR]
-Colson's conversation with Kissinger
-Timing
-The President’s conversation with Colson
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Kissinger’s schedule
-Palm Springs
-John A. Scali and Kenneth W. Clawson
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Gerald L. Warren
-The President’s view
-News stories
 -2-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Oct.-07)

Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d)

-Harry S. Truman's funeral
-Nicaragua earthquake
-Vietnam War
-Truman's funeral
-Public exposure for the President
-Scali and Clawson’s view
-Public statements
-December 26, 1972
-Documentaries on Truman’s life
-Football
-Rose Bowl
-US activities
-Weekend
-Possible statements on Vietnam
-Kissinger
-William P. Rogers
-Melvin R. Laird
-Possible effect
-Current developments
-William E. Timmons
-Congress
-Possible actions
-Current developments
-Kissinger
-Possible news events
-Clawson and Scali’s view
-Possible speech by the President
-Timing
-Event or development
-Prisoners of War [POWs] wives
-Network coverage
-Tone
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Explanation

Vietnam War
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Effects on North Vietnam
-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
-Compared to May 8, 1972 mining, bombing
 -3-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Oct.-07)

Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d)

-Targeting
-Effects on civilians
-Albert E. Sindlinger’s view
-Explanation of US bombing
-Possibilities
-Negotiations by North Vietnam
-Compared to the President’s June 1972 trip to the Soviet Union
-The President’s May 8, 1972
-Reason
-Cessation of bombing to release POWs
-Popular support
-The President’s view
-Terms
-US withdrawal
-Future assistance of South Vietnam
-Assistance of North Vietnam by its allies
-Negotiations
-The President’s view
-End of war
-Burden of decision making
-Truman
-Popularity
-Compared to the President’s
-1972 election
-[Korean War]
-Alger Hiss case
-The President as Congressman
-Korean War
-Yalu River
-Bombing

John A. Scali
-United Nations [UN] appointment
-Reaction
-Kissinger’s reaction
-Ziegler
-New York
-Alleged leaks
-Kissinger’s view
-Nicholas P. Thimmesch
 -4-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Oct.-07)

Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d)

-Colson
-State Department
-Support for the President
-Loyalty to the President
-Ability as ambassador
-Compared to Henry Cabot Lodge
-Compared to George H.W. Bush
-Toughness
-Policy stands
-Loyalty to the President's policy
-Vietnam War
-US Relations with Nguyen Van Thieu
-Alleged leaks
-Loyalty to the President

Kissinger
-Meeting with Charles H. Percy
-Colson’s schedule
-Percy’s trip to Asia
-Effect
-Build up of Percy
-Presidency
-Louis P. Harris poll
-Colson’s role

Harris poll
-News on Vietnam negotiations
-The President’s view
-Timing
-Mailing
-Press people
-Colson
-Content
-Kissinger
-The President's handling of Vietnam
-Views of Kissinger as negotiator
-Results
-\"Peace is at hand,\" comment [in October 26, 1972 press conference]
-Intent
-Effect
 -5-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Oct.-07)

Conversation No. 35-2 (cont’d)

-The President’s address to the Nation, “Look to the Future,”
November 2, 1972
-Importance
-The President’s relationship with Kissinger
-Kissinger's identity outside of administration
-Image
-Lifestyle

Kissinger
-Thimmesch article
-Kissinger’s reaction
-Tone
-Criticisms of Kissinger vis-a-vis the President
-Joseph C. Kraft
-Thomas W. Braden
-Meeting with Percy
-Duration
-Haldeman
-White House personnel policy
-Colson’s telephone call to Kissinger’s office
-Scali