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On May 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, David Packard, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:38 am to 12:03 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 490-014 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President met with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, David Packard, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. Greetings Weather President's schedule - Forthcoming "Salute to Agriculture" [A transcript of the following portion of this conversation was prepared under court order from December 1978 through March 1979 for Special Access 8, Ronald V. Dellums, et al. v. James M. Powell, et al., No. 71-2271. The National Archives and Records Administration produced this transcript. The National Archives does not guarantee its accuracy.] [End of transcript] Southern Command - Problem - Possible changes - Arguments - President's view - Latin America - Dictatorships - Chile - Peru - Argentina - Brazil - World Command structures - South America and Africa sub sahara - Command structure - Justification changes - Political and diplomatic issues - Military role - Panama Canal negotiations - Panama Canal - Defense - Atlantic Command - Organization options - Washington, DC - Panama - Defense Department - Reorganization - Military assistance program - Korea - Nixon Doctrine - Military assistance program - Reorganization - President's view - Command structure - Benefits - Joint Chiefs' views - Military role - Military governments - Inter- American Defense College - Chile - Salvador Allende Gossens - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] - Law- Of- The- Sea - Moorer's concern - US relations with Latin nations - Peru - Juan Velasco Alvarado - Military sales in Latin America - US influence in Latin America - Organization - Location - Washington, DC - Panama - Communication - Possible structure - Chain of command - Effectiveness - Packard's view - Restructuring - Joint Chiefs' views - Reorganization - Chain of command structure - US embassy role - Department of Defense role - Effect on missions - Hemisphere defense - USSR - US contacts with Latin America leaders - Military sales in Latin America - Transition period - Objectives - Brazil - Dominican Republic -1965 operation - Moorer's experience - World War II - Italy - Unified Command - Preparedness - US presence in Latin America - President's possible options - US security Military Assistance Program - Africa - Ethiopia - Zaire - Sese Seko Mobutu - US military command - Structure Vietnam - Unknown General in helicopter - Magazine story - Possible administration response - My Lai - Press stories - Unknown General - Investigation - Military justice - Support for Military Southern Command - Arguments - The President's decision - Defense policy group - Goddard (?) - Thomas P. ("Tip") O'Neill, Jr. Moorer, Packard, and Haig left at 12:03 pm. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Moorer, Thomas H. (Adm.); Packard, David; Haig, Alexander M., Jr.