854–35

Conversation No. 854-35

Date: February 13, 1973
Time: 1:11 pm - 1:41 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Donald H. Rumsfeld; this recording began at an unknown time while the
conversation was in progress.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
-Rumsfeld’s assignment
-Joseph M. Luns
-European national interests
-Prime ministers
-Public opinion
-Great Britain
-Edward R. G. Heath
-December 1972 bombing
-Support
-European allies
-Criticism of US Vietnam policy
-Problems
-US response to criticism
-Threat to NATO
-US interests
-Continued criticism
-US commitment of troops, money
-Effect on US
-Speeches
-Mutual reduction of forces
-European Security Conference
-Great Britain
-Soviet Union
-Weaken NATO
-Self-sufficiency
-US commitment to alliance
-US isolationism
-Vietnam
 -48-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. August-10)
Conversation No. 854-35 (cont’d)


-Dangers
-President’s opposition
-December 1972 bombing
-Spending on ghettos
-Defense budget
-Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster
-Staff
-Opposition
-European politicians
-Prime ministers
-Public opinion
-Georges J. R. Pompidou
-Willy Brandt
-Italy
-Prime minister
-Other countries
-Criticism of US
-President’s trips to Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China [PRC]
-Bombing
-Vietnam settlement
-Trade
-Shultz’s policy
-Aid
-Dealings with European allies
-Viability of Europe and US without alliance
-Balance of power
-Fortress America
-Dangers
-Europe, Japan, Far East
-Necessity of US alliance
-President’s support of internationalism
-Aid for Greece, Turkey
-Marshall Plan
-Herter committee
-Eisenhower administration
-Mansfield Amendment
-Campaigns
 -49-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. August-10)
Conversation No. 854-35 (cont’d)


-Vietnam
-Soviet Union, PRC
-Respect

Internationalism
-Visit to Europe
-Romania
-President’s reelection
-President’s visibility in Europe
-Turnout in Romania
-France
-William P. Rogers
-Communist demonstrations
-Romania
-Rumsfeld’s visit
-Reaction of public
-Television [TV]
-Compared to President’s TV appearance in Soviet Union
-Europe
-France
-Germany
-Radical elements in Europe
-Compared to US radicals

Rumsfeld’s respect for President
-President’s qualities
-President’s appreciation


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

Rumsfeld’s political future
-Senate candidacy
-Fundraising
-Philip M. Crane
-William J. Scott
 -50-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. August-10)
Conversation No. 854-35 (cont’d)


-State office
-John B. Anderson
-Edward J. Derwinski
-President’s support for Rumsfeld
-Anderson
-Abilities
-House of Representatives leadership
-Speaker of the House

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


House of Representatives
-Able members
-Loyalty
-Leadership
-Fear of concentration of power
-Weakness
-Compared to Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield in Senate
-Democrats
-Power
-Leadership
-Fear of power
-Carl B. Albert
-Drinking

Nicholas Rumsfeld entered at 1:29 pm.

Handshake with President

President's chair

Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 1:29 pm.

White House photographer
 -51-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. August-10)
Conversation No. 854-35 (cont’d)


Sanchez left at an unknown time before 1:30 pm.

The White House photographer entered at an unknown time before 1:30 pm.

[Photograph session]

Nicholas Rumsfeld
-Joyce (Pierson) Rumsfeld

Donald and Nicholas Rumsfeld and the White House photographer left at 1:41 pm.