Tape 639, Conversation 025 (639-025)

On December 18, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Jerrold L. Schecter, Hugh S. Sidey, Hedley W. Donovan, Henry A. Grunwald, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 5:03 pm to 6:35 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 639-025 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President met with Jerrold L. Schecter, Hugh S. Sidey, Hedley W. Donovan, and Henry A. Grunwald; the White House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting. General conversation The President's term - Appraisal - Franklin D. Roosevelt - War - January 1969 - US economy Vietnam - US role Middle East New York City Vietnam 1969 - Historical context People's Republic of China [PRC] - Communication with US Vietnam US world role - Protector Domestic issues - Economic policy - Inflation - Housing - Future price rises - Comparison to 1971 - Jobs - Inflation - Monetary policy - Meeting with Europeans - Convertibility of the dollar [?] - Environment - Drugs - Revenue sharing - Welfare - Work requirements - Health - Government reorganization Decisions made by the President - PRC overture - Importance - Economic policy - Inflation - Jobs - International monetary crisis - US role - Free market economy - American economy - Probable outlook - Phase II - Predictions for 1972 economy - Controls - Confidence - Inflation - Wage- Price controls - Support of US citizens - Importance - Success of controls - Inflation - Decontrol - American people - Commitment to control inflation Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]- US relations - Upcoming summit - Berlin - Seabeds - Biological and accidental war - Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] - South Asia - Middle East - President's upcoming trip to PRC - South Asia - India- Pakistan conflict - Ceasefire - Areas of agreement between US and USSR - Berlin - Leonid I. Brezhnev - Arms control India- Pakistan conflict - India operations in East Pakistan and West Pakistan - Strategy - Reports [Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and released 06/14/2019.] [Unintelligible] [639-025- W002] [Duration: 3s] India- Pakistan conflict - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] India- Pakistan conflict - US role [Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number LPRN- T- MDR-2012-001. Segment declassified on 03/19/2015. Archivist: DR] [National Security] [639-025- W001] [Duration: 3m 38s] India–Pakistan conflict - The President's conversation with Indira Gandhi - Unknown airport - Death of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri - Tashkent negotiations - Positivity - West Pakistan - President's opinion of Indira Gandhi's attitude towards West Pakistan - Importance - US interests - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] - US position Middle East - Israel - US emotional ties - Actions South Asia PRC - Henry A. Kissinger - Brezhnev US foreign policy - Thought and care exercised - PRC trip - Purpose - USSR trip - Purpose - Long- Term Upcoming election - Foreign and domestic policy - Fulfillment of objectives - Congress - Democratic majority - President's plans - Opposition candidates - Involvement in issues - PRC - USSR - Vietnam - Successful conclusion - Domestic programs - Revenue sharing - Welfare reform - Tax reform - Spiro T. Agnew - Expression of support - Praise for Agnew - Democrats' nominee - President's opinion - Past elections - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Dwight D. Eisenhower - Lyndon B. Johnson - Majority president - John F. Kennedy - Democrats' nominee - Potential candidates - Issues - Vietnam - Economy - Cities - Youth - Race relations - Vietnam Vietnam - End of war - Understanding - Historical view - Possible outcome - USSR - PRC US- USSR relations - Middle East - Israel - Oil - Africa - South Asia - Cambodia - Laos - PRC - Summit meeting - Need for peace - Differences US- PRC relations - Possible future of relations - Vietnam - Korea - Japan - Power - PRC Need for charismatic leader - Types of leaders - Characteristics - Need for experience President's administration - Type of leadership - President's style - Need for confidence in leadership - PRC and USSR announcements - The President's August 15, 1971 speech - PRC announcement - Theodore ("Teddy") Roosevelt - Vitality and style - Mood of US citizens - Expectations of US citizens - Vietnam - World leadership position - President's opinion - Recent past - Lyndon B. Johnson - Vietnam - Drugs - Violence in cities - US economy - Effect of end of Vietnam war PRC USSR Economic policy Revenue sharing Government reorganization Expectations for coming year - Pride in US foreign policy - Middle East - Importance of US leadership role - US position in the world - Domestic issues - Housing - Busing - Boston - Segregation -"Quiet revolution" US world role - Historic precedence - Expression of confidence - Peace possibilities - World War II - Dwight D. Eisenhower - John F. Kennedy -"Seize the moment" philosophy US relations with USSR and PRC - Strategy - Importance of PRC - Nuclear war - Global effects - Horrors - Prospects for confrontation - Japan - Need for leadership - Competition - Cooperation -[Thomas] Woodrow Wilson - UN - Times of peace - US and European power - Britain - France - Germany - USSR - PRC - Potential power - Japan - Latin America - Brazil - Africa - Potential power - South Asia - Need for balance of power - Europe, Japan Presidency - Power - Motives -[Arnold] Eric Sevareid - Maturity of political figures - Bureaucracy - Press - Enjoyment of the job - Relations with Congress - Opportunity for leadership - World peace - Progress Christmas decorations - Number - Thelma C. ("Pat") Nixon [?] [General conversation] - Walter H. Annenberg's gift -"Star of the President" President's schedule - Bermuda Gifts - Money clips [General conversation] Schecter, et al. left at 6:35 pm. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Schecter, Jerrold L.; Sidey, Hugh S.; Donovan, Hedley W.; Grunwald, Henry A.; White House photographer.