Secret White House Tapes

411-009c

About this recording

411-009a
  • President Richard M. Nixon
  • Henry A. Kissinger
  • White House photographer
  • White House operator
  • William E. Timmons
  • UNKNOWN
  • Manolo Sanchez
February 20, 1973
Conversation No. 411-9

Date: February 20, 1973
Time: 4:15 pm - 6:10 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger; the White House photographer was present at the
beginning of the meeting.

President's malfunctioning equipment

Kissinger’s trip

President's schedule
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-5-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Breakfast
-People’s Republic of China [PRC]
-William P. Rogers

The President talked with the White House operator at an unknown time after 4:15 pm.

[Conversation No. 411-9A]

[See Conversation No. 43-121]

[End of telephone conversation]

President's schedule
-Meeting with Congressional leaders
-Press release

The President talked with William E. Timmons between 4:17 pm and 4:18 pm.

[Conversation No. 411-9B]

[See Conversation No. 43-122]

[End of telephone conversation]

President’s schedule
-William E. Timmons

Kissinger talked with an unknown person at an unknown time before 6:10 pm.

[Conversation No. 411-9E]

President’s schedule
-Timmons
-William P. Rogers

[End of telephone conversation]

Kissinger’s telephone call to Rogers
-6-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)



US-PRC relations
-Message
-Kissinger’s message to Mao Tse-Tung
-Chou En-Lai [?]
-Mao
-Conversation with Kissinger
-Differing interests
-Cooperation
-Necessity
-Communist threat

An unknown person entered at an unknown time after 4:18 pm.

Equipment removal

The unknown person left at an unknown time before 4:51 pm.

US-PRC relations
-Mao
-Conversation with Kissinger
-Soviet Union
-Military build-up
-Soviet Union
-Europe, Asia
-Strategic forces
-SS-11s
-Tests
-Europe
-Foreign ministers
-Elections

US-France relations
-Georges J. R. Pompidou
-Press relations
-Europe
-Francois M. Mitterrand
-Cable
-7-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Assistance with Vietnam settlement
-State visit to France [?]
-Election

US-PRC relations
-Mao [?]
-Compliment to President
-Diplomatic relations
-Germany
-Western Europe
-Sweden
-Alaf Palme [?]
-Left wing arguments
-Foreign minister
-Norway
-Mutual and balanced force reduction [MBFR]
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Japan
-1950s
-Nationalism
-Presence of US forces
-Mao
-President’s leadership regarding PRC
-Compared to other world leaders
-Zulfikar Ali Bhutto [?]
-Personal message to President
-Press coverage
-Japan
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Conversation with Kissinger
-Japan-Soviet Union relations
-Thailand
-Middle East
-Arabs
-Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Persian Gulf
-Military aid [?]
-Iraq, Syria
-Soviet Union’s influence
-8-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Israel
-Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
-Nusrat Ispatiari Bhutto
-Beauty
-India
-Soviet Union
-Daniel P. (“Pat”) Moynihan


Vietnam settlement
-Mao
-Laos
-Cease-fire
-North Vietnam
-Provisions
-Press coverage
-President’s inquiries to Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft
-Vientiane, Hanoi
-Troop withdrawal
-B-52s
-President’s conversation with Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
-Elliot L. Richardson
-Prisoners of war [POWs]
-Bombing
-Laos
-Cease-fire
-North Vietnam
-Bombing
-Role of PRC
-Pathet Lao
-Troop withdrawal
-Bombing halt
-Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield
-William F. Buckley
-Goldwater
-Aid for Vietnam
-George S. McGovern, Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-Press coverage
-9-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Congress
-President’s leadership
-Laos cease-fire
-Political settlement
-Pathet Lao

US-PRC relations
-Kissinger’s meeting with Mao
-Oil
-Iran
-Soviet Union
-Iraq, Libya
-President’s second term
-Richard M. Helms
-Iran
-Persian Gulf
-Responsibilities
-Chou
-December 1972 bombing
-Respect
-President’s visit to South Carolina legislature
-Chou
-John T. Downey’s release
-POWs [?]
-Congressional leaders
-Invitation to Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra
-Eugene Ormandy

The President talked to the White House operator at an unknown time after 4:18 pm.

[Conversation No. 411-9C]

[See Conversation No. 43-123]

[End of telephone conversation]

Press relations
-Timing of announcements
-10-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)



US-PRC relations
-Mao
-Soviet Union
-Military actions
-Manchuria

Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 4:18 pm.

Refreshment

Sanchez left at an unknown time before 4:46 pm.

PRC-Soviet Union relations
-Kissinger’s conversation with Mao
-Attack by Soviet Union
-Nuclear treaty
-Chou

The President talked with Ormandy between 4:46 pm and an unknown time before 4:51 pm.
Kissinger talked with Ormandy at an unknown time between 4:46 pm and 4:51 pm.

[Conversation No. 411-9D]

[See Conversation No. 43-124]

[End telephone conversation]

Ormandy and Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra’s trip to PRC
-Excitement
-Announcements
-Support for President
-Soviet Union

Kissinger’s visit to PRC
-Musical entertainment
-Opera
-Western symphony
-11-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Ludwig Van Beethoven’s 6th symphony
-Chinese songs
-Piano concherto
-Pianist
-“Home on the Range”
-Meeting with Chou
-Details
-Health
-Communiqué
-Details for press
-Thailand
-Arrangements for liaison offices
-Appointments
-State Department
-John L. Jenkins, John H. Holdridge
-Status of office
-Compared to Great Britain
-Norodom Sihanouk
-Cambodia
-Neutrality
-Soviet Union’s role
-India’s role
-North Vietnam’s role
-Mansfield
-Mansfield’s trip
-Aid to Vietnam
-Henry M. (“Scoop”) Jackson
-Cambodia
-Form of government
-North Vietnam
-Soviet Union
-Bombing

Kissinger’s visit to Hanoi
-Effects of bombing
-Accuracy
-B-52s
-Respect
-12-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Souvanna Phouma
-Cambodia
-Compared to Laos
-PRC
-US-North Vietnam relations
-Economic aid
-Le Duc Tho [?]
-Soviet Union compared to US
-Congressional appropriation
-Reparations
-Cambodia, Laos
-Effect on cease-fire
-North Vietnam’s leaders
-PRC’s leaders
-Paranoia
-Hanoi
-Atmosphere
-Compared to Moscow
-Physical appearance
-Saigon
-Economic aid
-Editorials
-Marshall Plan
-Cease-fire
-Duration
-Presumption of war
-US choice
-Violations

Vietnam settlement
-POWs’ return
-Public opinion
-POWs’ statements
-Capt. Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.
-Letters to President from POWs
-President’s election
-McGovern
-Pride
-13-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
-POWs
-Effects of December 1972 bombing
-POW families
-Col. Robinson Risner
-Capt. James A. Mulligan, Jr.’s wife
-President’s policy in Vietnam
-Appreciation
-POWs

Public relations
-Downey’s release
-President’s telephone call
-William Downey
-Mother
-POW wives
-Mulligan’s wife
-Preparation for Kissinger’s public statements
-PRC
-Vietnam

Vietnam settlement
-Aid for North Vietnam
-Congressional reaction
-Republicans
-Soviet Union and PRC’s contribution
-State Department
-World Bank
-Multilateral aid
-Press relations
-Preparation for public statements
-Press conference
-Time
-Praise
-Credit for servicemen
-Budget
-Domestic programs
-National security
-14-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Emphasis on aid
-Normalization of relations
-Reparations
-Compared to post-World War I and World War II
-Aid for North Vietnam
-Investment
-Critics
-Compared to amnesty
-Abraham Lincoln, US Civil War analogy
_Source of funding
-Soviet Union

Kissinger’s trip to PRC
-Mao

Foreign relations
-France
-Pompidou
-Message
-Forthcoming election
-Assembly
-Socialists, communists, Gaullists
-Prime Minister, President
-Francois Mitterrand
-Runoffs
-Party allignees
-Election analysis
-Kissinger’s conversation with ambassador
-South Vietnam
-Nguyen Van Thieu’s visit to US
-President’s schedule
-Congress
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew’s trip
-San Clemente compared to Washington, DC
-Security arrangements
-National Press Club
-Thieu’s abilities
-Handling of cease-fire
-15-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Pham Van Dong
-Potential visit
-POWs
-Laos, Cambodia
-POWs
-Cease-fire
-Guerilla Camps
-Brutality of Vietnamese as a people
-Compared to Laotians
-Souvanna

Vietnam settlement
-North Vietnam
-Kissinger’s visit [?]
-Soviet Union, PRC
-Editorial
-Aid
-POWs
-Cease-fire
-Negotiations on South Vietnam
-President’s policy
-Opponents
-Thieu, Coalition government in South Vietnam
-[Arnold] Eric Sevareid
-Congress members
-US war dead
-Honor
-Troop withdrawal
-Cambodia
-Washington Post
-US bombing during World War II
-Germany
-Japan
-Civilian deaths

Opposition to Vietnam War
-Washington Post, Chester R. Huntley, David Brinkley, Sevareid
-World War II stance against Germany
-16-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-Compared to support for North Vietnam
-Failure of settlement
-POWs
-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer

An unknown person entered at an unknown time after 4:15 pm.

Malfunctioning Dictaphone machine
-Electric current

The unknown person left at an unknown time before 6:10 pm.

Foreign relations
-Negotiations with PRC
-Korea
-United Nations [UN]
-Commission on Unification
-Australia
-Australia
-Poll
-Softness
-Allies
-France, Great Britain
-William P. Rogers
-Briefing
-PRC
-Vietnam

Hubert H. Humphrey
-McGovern
-Edmund S. Muskie
-Thomas E. Dewey
-Election loss
-Statesman
-Herbert C. Hoover
-Humanitarian
-Harry S. Truman
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-17-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)



Congressional relations
-Vietnam settlement
-Negotiations
-President’s meeting with bipartisan Congressional leaders
-National reconciliation
-Amnesty
-POWs
-Public attitudes
-Opponents to President’s Vietnam policies
-John F. Kennedy’s policies
-Troop withdrawals
-Republicans

US-Soviet Union relations
-Briefing for President
-Soviet strategic program

******************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6
[National security]
[Duration: 12 s]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6

******************************************************************************

-Rogers
-Anatoliy F. Dobrynin

US-PRC relations
-Chou’s statement
-Toast
-PRC’s attitude toward President’s leadership
-Translations
-Film of visit by PRC’s ping pong team
-Portrayal of US
-18-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)


-President’s meeting with team members
-Taiwan
-Transport troops
-Vietnam
-Liaison office [?]
-Trade, cultural exchange
-South Vietnam
-Federation
-Chiang Kai-Shek
-Possible visit by President and family
-Soviet Union

US-Japan relations
-Kissinger’s meetings with Japanese
-Kakuei Tanaka, Masayoshi Ohira
-Tanaka’s political future
-North Vietnam
-Laos
-Diplomatic recognition

US-Europe relations
-Howard K. Smith
-Soviet Union, PRC
-News summary
-Focus to Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy
-Japan
-PRC
-Charter
-National Security Council [NSC]
-European leaders’ skill
-Chou
-Radicalism
-World leaders

US-Japan relations
-Nationalism
-PRC
-US ambassador
-19-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sep.-2010)
Conversation No. 411-9 (cont’d)



Personnel
-Moorer
-Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-Division Commander
-Gen. William C. Westmoreland
-Haig
-Army Chief of Staff
-Moorer

Instructions for Kissinger to call Rogers
-Testimony
-Lunch
-State Department

Kissinger left at 6:10 pm.
Secret White House Tapes |

411-009c

More Richard M. Nixon Recordings

View all Richard M. Nixon tapes
859–1
audio icon
860–1
audio icon
860–10
audio icon
859–10
audio icon
859–11
audio icon
860–11
audio icon
859–12
audio icon
860–12
audio icon
860–13
audio icon
859–13
audio icon