393–11

Conversation No. 393-11

Date: January 4, 1973
Time: After 3:02 pm and before 5:15 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with John D. Ehrlichman at 3:02 pm.

Ehrlichman's vacation
-Edward M. Kennedy
-Skiing crowd

Federal Bureau of Investigations [FBI]
-Appointments
-Delay
-James O. Eastland
-Justice Department appointments
-Law Enforcement Assistance Administration [LEAA]
-Joseph T. Sneed
-W. Mark Felt
-Message to Ehrlichman
-Leaks
-Concern
-L. Patrick Gray, III
-Unfair criticism
-Time
-Lawyers
-Messages described
-William C. Sullivan [?]
-Narcotics
-Gray
-Retention
-William D. Ruckelshaus
-Possible appointment to FBI
-Relations with press
-Reputation
-Possible future plans
-Elected office
-Senate
-Talks with the President and Ehrlichman
 -12-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Abilities
-Sneed
-New job
-Possible retirement
-Letter

Supreme Court
-The President's conversation with Warren Burger
-Sneed
-Possible appointments
-Age
-William H. Rehnquist
-William O. Douglas
-Byron R. (“Whizzer”) White

H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman entered at an unknown time after 3:02 pm.

-Potter Stewart
-Harvard
-Lifestyle
-Possible vacancies
-Douglas
-Age
-Burger
-Work
-Court reform issue
-Speeches

Nelson A. Rockefeller
-Article in New York Times
-Dr. W. Kenneth Riland
-Civil Liberties
-Drug program
-Compared to the President's program
-Ehrlichman’s and Richard G. Kleindienst’s evaluation
-Parole provision
-Sentencing provisions
-Public response
-Reason for provisions
-Enforcement
 -13-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Judges
-New York Times editorial

Administration drug program
-Marijuana
-Penalties
-Dealers
-Hard narcotics
-Penalties
-Problems
-Public relations [PR]
-New proposals
-Congress
-Wallace H. Johnson
-The President's discussion with Ehrlichman

FBI
-Gray
-Meeting with the President
-Retention
-Confirmation hearings
-Strength
-Personnel transfers
-Response
-Internal protests

Personnel transfers
-National Park Service
-National Institutes of Health [NIH]
-Robert Q. Marston
-Stand on marijuana
-The President's response

Drug programs
-Rockefeller
-The President’s response
-State of the Union address
-PR
-Congress
 -14-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

Judicial reform
-Age problems
-Speech to Congress
-Tenure of judges
-Lower courts
-Reconfirmation
-Election
-Los Angeles
-Florida
-Indiana
-Recall
-Theodore Roosevelt
-Reconfirmation
-Misconduct
-Justice Department memorandum
-Objections
-Thurgood Marshall
-Politics
-Ehrlichman’s judgment
-Introduction in Congress
-Inclusion in State of Union address
-Series of messages
-The President's plans for State of Union addresses
-Requirements

Drug program
-Drug trafficking
-Importance compared to Vietnam War
-Effectiveness
-Statistics
-Rockefeller's program
-Call from Ehrlichman
-The President’s expectations
-Legal reforms
-Justice Department
-Enforcement
-Grand Jury
-Network of dealers and users

Executive branch reorganization
 -15-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Appointments
-Legislation
-Roy L. Ash memorandum
-Department of Community Development
-Chet Holifield
-Department of Natural Resources
-Department of Agriculture
-Earl L. Butz
-Congressional briefing
-Breakfast meeting
-Length
-Attendees
-Timing
-The President's remarks
-Ehrlichman's remarks
-George P. Shultz's remarks
-Question and answer period
-Ehrlichman's presentation
-Charts
-Executive-legislative branch relations
-Cabinet-level responsibility
-Effects
-Reduction in Executive Office of the President
-Congressional relations
-Cabinet confirmations
-Testimony
-White House counselors
-Cross departmental functions
-Essential reform
-Staff reporting to the President
-Problem
-The President’s instructions
-White House staffing
-Limits
-Haldeman
-Contacts
-Counselor for Natural Resources
-Department of Agriculture
-White House
-Staffing
 -16-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Butz
-Interior Department
-Ehrlichman’s presentation
-Cabinet-level responsibility
-Executive privilege
-Reduction in problems
-Schultz
-Office of Management and Budget [OMB]
-Question and answer period
-Witholding funds
-Executive privilege
-William E. Timmons
-Samuel J., Jr.
-Attendance
-Senate Committee on Government Operations
-Ash’s role
-Ehrlichman’s role
-Withholding funds
-Congressional opinion
-Compared to other administrations
-Symbolism
-Press responses
-[Arnold] Eric Sevareid
-Critics arguments
-Water bill
-Highways
-Farm programs
-Conservation
-Housing expenditure moratorium
-Response
-Constitutional responsibility
-The President’s fiscal control
-Budget priorities
-Congress’s indecision
-Appropriations exceed tax revenues
-Congress’ “piecemeal” budgeting
-Inflation
-Possible constitutional crisis
-Ervin's view
-Executive privilege legislation
 -17-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Ervin's view
-Appearance by the President’s aides
-Ehrlichman
-Henry A. Kissinger
-John W. Dean, III
-Peter M. Flanigan
-Preparation
-Timing
-Arrangements
-Food service
-Agenda
-Shultz
-Pro forma consultation
-Prior briefings
-Wilbur D. Mills
-Russell B. Long
-Herman T. Schneebeli
-Future briefing
-Presentations
-Ash's role
-Herbert Stein's role
-The President’s role
-Presidential statement
-Presidential directive
-Future briefings
-Press backgrounder
-The President's public statement
-Release
-Content
-Federalism
-Ehrlichman's TV appearance
-James J. Kilpatrick, Jr.
-Hugh S. Sidey
-David S. Broder
-National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reporter
-Groder
-Kilpatrick


*****************************************************************
 -18-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

Press relations
-1972 election [?]
-Kevin Phillips
-Conservatives

Congressional Republicans
-Gerald R. Ford
-Robert C. (“Bob”) Wilson
-Robert J. Dole
-Wilson
-Actions
-Ford
-Timmons
-Chairmanship
-Retention
-New person
-Personality
-Compared to Clarence J. (“Bud”) Brown, Jr.

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************


Executive branch reorganization
-Congressional briefing
-Shultz
-Presentation
-Style
-Personality
-Compared to John B. Connally
-Possible questions
-Executive privilege
-Timmons
-Congress members’ attitude
-Compared to Ohio State football team

The President's schedule
-Option paper
 -19-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Kissinger
-1973 Inauguration
-Shultz
-Congress

Kissinger’s work
-New aide
-Economist
-Background
-Electricity
-Oil
-Kissinger, Shultz, Ehrlichman

Congress
-Vietnam War
-Attitude
-Republicans
-Campaigns
-The President’s assistance
-Funds
-Surrogates' appearances
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
-Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower
-Tricia Nixon Cox
-Candidates
-Democrats
-Future
-Effect of press
-Bryce N. Harlow
-Future relations with White House
-Public opinion
-Seniority system
-New buildings
-Carl B. Albert
-Library of Congress
-Staff size
-Compared to White House staff
-Relations with White House
-Possible question in Ehrlichman's TV appearance
 -20-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Productivity
-Compared with executive branch staff
-Possible improvements
-Length of sessions
-Distractions
-Appropriations process
-Possible increase in presidential briefings
-Ford
-Hugh Scott
-Timmons
-Effect
-Future dealings with White House
-Effect of 1972 election
-Timmons's staff
-Democratic Party
-Republican Party
-Relations with the President
-Spending
-Taxes
-Press reports
-Polling
-Attacks on the President
-Public opinion
-Farm programs
-Cuts
-OMB
-William H. Harsha
-Ohio
-Defense of the President
-Charles W. Colson's office
-Butz's press conference
-Public relations [PR]
-Schedule
-Productivity
-Speech tours
-Lincoln Birthday
-Jackson Day
-Reorganization
-Changes in US
-Demographics
 -21-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-New office buildings
-Staff size
-Efficiency
-Relation to executive branch reorganization
-The President's role
-Relation to judicial branch reorganization
-Burger's role
-Appropriations process
-Continuing resolutions
-Debate rules
-Senate, House of Representatives
-Seniority rules
-Scott

White House reorganization
-PR efforts
-Raymond K. Price's staff
-Specialization
-Defense Department
-Reduction
-Traveling staff
-Secret Service
-Communications staff
-Military aides
-The President's memorandum
-The President's trips to Florida
-Compared to Peoples Republic of China [PRC] trip
-Helicopter crews
-The President's trips to Florida
-Press
-The President’s Christmas trip
-Washington Post
-Staff reductions
-Kissinger
-Paperwork
-Military support staff
-Duty hours and stations
-Cost
-Stewards
-PRC trip
 -22-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Florida trips
-Manolo Sanchez
-Relations with Congress
-Ehrlichman’s TV appearance
-Ford, Scott
-Tactics
-1968 election
-Compared to 1972 election
-The President’s influence
-Timmons
-Management abilities
-Vote counting
-Bryce N. Harlow
-Clark MacGregor

Bicentennial
-Agnew
-Francis A. (“Frank”) Sinatra
-Memorandum from the President to Arthur J. Sohmer
-Status
-Agnew
-Sinatra
-Possible role
-Anne L. Armstrong
-Possible role

Office of Emergency Preparedness [OEP]
-Possible reorganization
-Candidate
-Role
-Thinker
-PR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA]
-Possible reorganization

OEP position
-Donald H. Rumsfeld
-Secretary of Transportation
-National Security Council [NSC] seat
 -23-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Frederic V. Malek
-Size of office
-Foreign policy
-Kissinger
-Elliot L. Richardson
-[David] Kenneth Rush
-William P. Rogers
-Agnew
-NSC
-Needs
-Agnew
-Creativity
-Negativity
-Church support
-Hardhats’ support
-Career possibilities
-The President’s positive role
-Kissinger
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-Value
-Foreign policy knowledge
-Rumsfeld
-Contributions

Watergate
-E. Howard Hunt
-Message

OEP position
-James D. Hodson
-Work
-Future plans
-The President’s advice
-Shultz
-William D. Eberle
-Political orientation
-Foreign policy
-Domestic policy trade
-Office of the Special Representative [OSTR]
-Career goals
 -24-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Shultz
-Possible roles
-Henry M. (“Scoop”) Jackson’s recommendation
-Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

Atomic Energy Commission [AEC]
-John S. Foster
-Dr. James Schlesinger
-Environmentalists
-Military training
-Research and development work
-Regulatory work

Kissinger entered at 4:30 pm.

-Philosophical leanings
-Possible appointment to OEP
-Personality

OEP position
-Gen. George A. Lincoln
-Abilities
-Requirements
-Richardson
-Rush
-Foster
-Possible contributions
-Technology issues
-Eberle
-Political orientation
-Knowledge
-Trade
-Europe
-Energy
-Role as Special Trade Representative
-Peter M. Flanigan
-Political orientation
-Subtlety
-Jack Miller
-Eberle
 -25-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Meeting with Kissinger
-Views on USSR
-Trade
-Possible positions
-Ambassadorships
-Geneva

Ambassadorships
-Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs
-Charles E. (“Chip”) Bohlen
-Greece
-Henry J. Tasca
-Loyalty
-Morocco
-Arabs
-Attributes
-Greece
-Indonesia
-Joseph J. Sisco

The President's schedule
-Barber's appointment
-Mrs. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower

Energy
-Kissinger
-1973 Inauguration
-Age
-Removal
-Foreign Service
-Robert G. Newman
-Afghanistan
-Jackson
-European Economic Community [EEC]
-Foreign aspects

Appointments
-Richardson [?]
-Assistant Secretary of State
 -26-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

Ehrlichman's presentation at Congressional briefing

Haldeman and Ehrlichman left at 4:44 pm.

Vietnam negotiations
-Technical talks
-North Vietnamese Vice Foreign Minister
-Agreement on protocol
-Rogers
-Information sharing
-Transcripts of talks
-Settlement agreement
-Haldeman
-October 26, 1972 agreement
-Publicity
-Transcripts of talks
-Attitude
-State Department

Appointments
-The President’s meeting with Rush
-Testing
-Future positions
-State Department
-William J. Casey
-Richardson
-Personality
-Work with the President
-Secretary of Defense
-Secretary of State

Foreign policy initiatives
-1972 election
-NSC’s role
-Energy
-Middle East
-Latin America
-Trade policy

Egypt
 -27-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Proposals
-Timing
-Vietnam
-Israeli response
-Rogers

Vietnam negotiations
-Rush
-Melvin R. Laird
-Meeting
-Attendance by Kissinger
-Bombing
-Rogers and Laird
-Positions
-Press controversy
-Military targets
-Press coverage
-Congress
-Democrats
-Proposals to end the war
-The President’s response
-Option One
-Hanoi propaganda
-PRC role
-Bombing
-Results
-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
-Duration
-USSR
-Settlement
-Timing
-Option One
-Congress
-Relations with the President
-1973 Inauguration

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty [SALT]
-Nancy Maginnes
-Critics of the President
-Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty [ABM]
 -28-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)


Vietnam negotiations
-Call from Dean Rusk
-Critics
-Letter
-Calls for the President’s resignation
-Bombing
-The President’s support
-1972 election
-John Beaman
-Report on mail
-Albert’s mail
-Option One
-Preference
-Option Two
-Nguyen Van Thieu
-Bombing
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-Withdrawal
-Effectiveness
-Prolonged bombing
-Public support
-The President’s image
-Defeat
-Congress
-Ending the war
-Public opinion
-Cease-fire
-“Bug out”
-South Vietnam’s survival
-Laird
-Press conferences
-Roger’s congressional testimony
-Stonewalling
-Option Two
-December 1972 bombing
-Possibility of settlement
-Bombing halt
-North Vietnam
-Saigon
 -29-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Kissinger’s departure
-The President’s suggestion
-Danger
-Concession
-Thieu
-1973 Inauguration
-Congress
-Withdrawal
-POWs
-North Vietnam
-Effect of agreement
-International recognition
-Laos, Cambodia
-US withdrawal
-Fighting with South Vietnam
-Difficulties
-PRC
-Le Duc Tho
-Travel
-Meeting
-Rogers, Laird, Moorer
-Cooperation
-Support to the President
-Cambodia
-Option Two
-Option One
-The President’s preference
-Thieu’s acceptance
-Option Two
-Alternative
-Letter to Thieu
-William C. Sullivan
-Call to Kissinger from Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield
-Post-settlement actions
-Thieu
-DMZ
-Cambodia
-Congress
-Democrats
-Motives
 -30-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-1972 election
-December 1972 bombing
-Republicans
-Motives
-1972 election
-Effect on the President
-Thieu
-Handling
-South Vietnam
-Political process
-Settlement
-Critics
-Conservatives
-North Vietnam

The President's schedule
-Barber
-Meeting with Colson
-Assignments
-Attacks on anti-war critics
-Congressional briefing
-Vietnam

An unknown person entered at an unknown time after 4:44 pm.

Meeting with Colson

The unknown person left at an unknown time before 5:15 pm.

Congress
-Gerard C. Smith
-The President’s image
-Support for the President
-Audience
-Committees
-Self-interest
-December 1972 bombing
-Public reaction [PR]

Vietnam negotiations
 -31-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept.-08)

Conversation No. 393-11 (cont’d)

-Possible television [TV] appearance
-Kissinger’s presentation

The President's schedule
-Harry S. Truman memorial service
-Meeting with Kissinger
-Paper delivery

Kissinger left at 5:15 pm.