381–15

Conversation No. 381-15

Date: December 18, 1972
Time: 1:20 pm – 1:40 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.

Press

Ziegler’s press conference
-Duration
-Second term reorganization
-Anne L. Armstrong
-Counselor to the President
-Cabinet rank
-Woman
-Oveta Culp Hobby
-The President’s choice
-Senate confirmation
-Requirement
-Secretary of Department in Executive Branch
-The President’s choice
-Semantics
-Tone
-Second term reorganization
-Armstrong
-Counselor to the President
-Tokenism
-Counselor to the President
-First term
-Robert H. Finch
-Donald H. Rumsfeld
-Patrick P. (“Pat”) Moynihan
 -26-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)

Conversation No. 381-15 (cont’d)

-Bryce N. Harlow
-Arthur F. Burns
-White House staff cuts
-Finch
-Return to California
-Rumsfeld
-Ambassadorship to North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
-Counselor to the President
-Peter Lisagor’s comment
-Commerce and Transportation Department
-White House staff
-Departures
-Desmond J. Barker
-Gen. Robert L. Schulz
-John C. Whitaker
-Egil (“Bud”) Krogh, Jr.
-Charles W. Colson
-Rumsfeld
-Reduction
-Executive Office
-Vietnam negotiations
-US bombing and mining of North Vietnam
-Melvin R. Laird’s statement
-The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
-Settlement agreement
-Enemy buildup
-Offensive action
-Settlement agreement
-Prolonging the war
-Henry A. Kissinger’s press conference
-Settlement agreement
-North Vietnam
-Preventing enemy buildup
-Offensive in South
-The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
-Kissinger’s press conference
-Ziegler
-Press relations
-Lead story
-The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
 -27-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)

Conversation No. 381-15 (cont’d)

-Enemy offensive
-Cessation of US bombing North of 20th Parallel
-Timing

Vietnam negotiations
-US bombing and mining of North Vietnam
-Press relations
-Tass report
-Hanoi
-Fires
-Continuation
-Cessation North of 20th Parallel
-Timing
-October 1972
-Kissinger’s view
-Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Public opinion
-Ziegler’s press conference
-Tone
-Kissinger’s mood
-B-52 losses
-Ziegler’s conversation with Kissinger
-Press and media relations
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-Ziegler’s conversation with Kissinger
-Press relations
-Kissinger’s “Peace is at hand” statement, October 26, 1972

Ziegler’s press conference
-Press relations
-Washington Post
-The President’s recent conversation with Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Philadelphia Bulletin
-Baltimore Sun
-Unknown newspaper
-Dallas Times Herald
-Washington newspaper
-Washington Star
 -28-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)

Conversation No. 381-15 (cont’d)

David C. Hoopes entered at 1:31 pm.

-Dan Rather’s question
-Unknown reporter
-Thomas E. Jarriel
-Watergate

Hoopes left at 1:32 pm.

-Current representation
-White House social events
-Cause celebre
-Local newspapers
-National administration
-Ziegler’s conversation with Helen Thomas
-Questions
-Ziegler’s handling
-Emotions
-Objectivity
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-National administration
-Carroll Kilpatrick
-Pool
-Dorothy McCardle
-Ziegler’s view
-Christmas tree lighting
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-The President’s conversation with Ziegler
-Constance M. (Cornell) (“Connie”) Stuart
-Church services
-Candlelight tour
-Children
-Mrs. Nixon
-Elinor I. (Judefind) Agnew
-McCardle
-San Antonio Light
-Kansas City Star
-Baltimore Sun

Vietnam War
 -29-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)

Conversation No. 381-15 (cont’d)

-US bombing north of 20th Parallel
-Timing
-Congressional relations
-Thomas F. Eagleton’s and Jacob K. Javit’s statements
-Public relations [PR]
-Number of plans
-Hanoi
-Ziegler’s press conference
-Use of “enemy”

Ronald Ziegler left at 1:40 pm.