Ask the Scholar

On December 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone at Camp David from 10:48 am to 11:11 am. The Camp David Study Desk taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 184-006 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler. Vietnam War - Ziegler's press conference - US bombing and mining of North Vietnam - William Beecher's New York Times article - Henry A. Kissinger - Washington Star - Washington Post - Source -[National Security Council] [NSC] - Kissinger's reaction - The President's May 8, 1972 speech - Purpose - Settlement agreement - Enemy buildup and offensive action - Kissinger's press conference - Negotiations - Negotiations - Enemy buildup and offensive action - Invasion of South Vietnam - Points to make - Settlement agreement - Prolongation of war and negotiations - The President's memorandum - October 1972 agreement - Principles - Kissinger - Negotiations - Resumption - Settlement agreement - Nguyen Van Thieu - Breakdown - Thieu - Purpose - Enemy buildup and offensive action Press relations - Washington Post - Alleged barring from White House - Helen A. Thomas article - Washington Post article in Style section - Ziegler's possible call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower - Julie Nixon Eisenhower's possible conversation with Thelma C. ("Pat") Nixon - Ziegler's statement to United Press International [UPI] - Tone - Ziegler's statement to the Washington Star - Invitations - Washington Star - Press pool - New York Times - Washington Star - New York Times - Selection process - Wire services - Washington Post articles - Style section - Dorothy McCardle - Associated Press [AP] photographs - Pool report - White House access policy - San Antonio Light -[Marianne Means] [?] - Wire services - Mrs. Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower - Ziegler's view - Washington Post's attitude toward White House - Alleged barring from White House - Discrimination claim - Thomas article - Unknown article - White House access policy - UPI - Press pool - Criticism - Washington Star - New York Times - Local compared to national coverage - Ziegler's conversation with Kenneth W. Clawson - Past access - Freedom of the press - Prerogative claim - Social events - Open House - Candlelight tour - Ziegler's conversation with David - Washington Star - Kraslow - Sources - Past practice - Washington, DC - Influence of Washington Post and New York Times - Call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower - Washington Post - Alleged barring from White House - Ziegler's possible call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower - The President's possible call to Julie Nixon Eisenhower - New York Times - Contact with Kissinger - H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Ziegler - State Department - Haldeman, Ziegler The President's schedule - Dinner party - Announcement - Timing - Attendees - Alice Roosevelt Longworth - Howard K. Smith - Richard L. Wilson - Katherine Young (Macy) Wilson - Anne L. Armstrong - Adm. Thomas H. Moorer Second term reorganization - Armstrong - Announcement - Timing - Washington Star Press relations - Washington Star - White House social events - Local compared to national coverage - Kansas City Star - Dallas Times Herald - Washington Star - Timing - Wire services - Ziegler's conversation with Patrick J. Buchanan Vietnam War - Kissinger's press conference - Negotiations - Ziegler's press conference - US bombing and mining of North Vietnam - Kissinger's advice to Ziegler - Settlement agreement - The President's May 8, 1972 speech - Continuation - Settlement agreement - Purpose - Enemy buildup and offensive action - The President's May 8, 1972 speech - Prisoners of War [POWs] - Cease- Fire - Free elections in South Vietnam. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.