November 28, 1971

The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

The President's day began at San Clemente, California

The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

No Federal Register published on this date

Among Pat Buchanan’s duties was the compilation and coordination of background briefing materials for Presidential and a few Vice Presidential press conferences. The briefings—for both the larger, announced press conferences and the smaller, informal ones held in the Oval Office—related to a widespread number of topics and were in the form of probable questions which the White House staff members anticipated news reporters would address to the President. Along with the questions, were answers recommended by Buchanan, other members of the White House staff, and the heads of major departments of the government.

The briefing books are primarily in the form of potential questions and suggested answers (often with heavy annotation by President Nixon), along with associated memos. A listing of briefing books is below, with indication of whether President Nixon annotated the book or not. Each book has an index to the potential questions with direct links to the National Archives Catalog. You should consult the full digital folder for suggested responses, President Nixon's annotations, and other documents and topics not covered by the index.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC BRIEFING BOOK 11/28/71

Citation: FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC BRIEFING BOOK 11/28/71; box 5; White House Central Files: Staff Member and Office Files: Patrick J. Buchanan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA

Consult the full digital folder for other briefing materials not in the form of prepared questions and answers.

• SOUTH ASIA Pakistan and India
  • Do you think that all-out war is imminent in South Asia, in the wake of last week's event; and does the United States intend to take the case to the UN?
  • Does the United States consider India guilty of aggression; and will we take the matter to the Security Council?
  • India has admitted invading East Pakistan; the United States has a mutual defense treaty with Pakistan, the SEATO; are we not under a solemn obligation to come to their military assistance?
• MIDDLE EAST
  • President Sadat has called 1971 the "year of decision." Reports that the Soviets have shipped TU-16 bombers into Egypt have been confirmed. What are the chances left for peace in that region -- and will you send Israel the Phantoms it has requested?
  • Assuming that war breaks out in the Middle East, and the Soviets actively intervene on the side of the Egyptians, what would the United States do?
• EUROPEAN SUMMITS
  • Can you tell us what you hope to accomplish with your recently announced meetings with Prime Minister Sato and the three European heads of state?
  • Do you believe that, with Secretary Connally along, these summits will prove useful in resolving the economic deadlock that exists today between the NATO allies and Japan and the United States?
• RHODESIA & CHROME
  • What is your assessment of the Great Britain-Rhodesian agreement, and if the British lift sanctions, will we follow suit?
• SOVIET TRADE
  • In light of the U. S. grain deal, and Secretary Stans's mission to Moscow, do you foresee greatly expanded trade between our two countries, and MFN status granted to the Soviets?
• SALT AND SOVIET POWER
  • Are you as optimistic today about the SALT talks as you have been in the past; will we get an ABM agreement in 1971 and an offensive agreement in 1972, before the Moscow trip?
  • Do you share Secretary Laird's concerns over the growing Soviet strategic power; and can you tell us if the United States knows yet what those huge Soviet silos have been constructed for?
• VIETNAM Infiltration
  • You indicated at your last press conference that a stepped-up infiltration rate might not only affect our troop withdrawal program but might also bring stepped air assaults. Have we detected any increase in infiltration since that time?
• VIETNAM Residual Force
  • Assuming no progress toward a negotiated settlement, or toward return of our prisoners, what size residual force do you believe necessary to provide you with the "leverage" you desire -- and how long would U.S. air support continue?
• VIETNAM Prisoners and Peace Talks
  • Can you report any progress on the prisoners? Or at the Paris peace talks?
  • You have said "time is running out" on negotiations. Are we giving up on them; if so, how do we get our prisoners back?
• VIETNAM All Volunteers
  • Is there a plan afoot to exempt all draftees from service in South Vietnam?
• VIETNAM
  • How do you answer the argument that your policy of Vietnamization simply "changes the color of the corpses?"
• CAMBODIA Defensive Positions
  • Three weeks ago, you told us U.S. troops were in "defensive positions." Yet, we are providing air support for both Cambodian forces, and ARVN's invasion of Cambodia; U.S. advisers have moved with their ARVN units right up to the border; and reportedly, U.S. intelligence agents are operating inside Cambodia? Isn't there another growing "credibility gap" in these discrepancies between what is, and what American people have been told?
• CAMBODIA Can Cambodia Survive
  • How would you appraise the military situation for Cambodians today?
• CAMBODIA Cambodia in Distress
  • Considering that the ARVN had to invade Cambodia again to rescue the floundering Cambodian Army, aren't your claims of success for the Cambodian Operation of May 1970 somewhat dubious?
• EUROPEAN SECURITY CONFERENCE & MFBR
  • Most Europeans, including French and Germans, seem ready to begin preparations for a European Security Conference. In light of reported progress in the inter-German phase of the Berlin talks, is the United States ready to go to such a conference?
• NATO - MBFR - MANSFIELD NATO AMENDMENT
  • NATO recently decided to explore mutual force reductions in Europe with the Soviet Union. What do you think will come of these talks and why have they not been started by now?
• CHINA AND TAIWAN
  • Any chance of grain deal with PRC, a la Soviets?
  • What is United States commitment to Taiwan?
  • Any RN comment on internal Chinese situation. Has anybody seen Lin Paio?
  • Is U.S. trying to save Taipei's membership in international organizations, related to the UN?
  • RN view of PRC's verbal attacks on U.S. at UN?
  • What efforts made to have American Prisoners released by PRC?
  • RN comment on expulsion resolution for Ukraine and Byelorussia?
  • Why couldn't world's greatest, richest power save Taiwan's seat?
  • How does RN answer charge that Dr. K's visit (timing) sealed Taiwan's fate?
  • Did we really go all out to save Taiwan?
  • Doesn't Chiang out remove an obstacle to Peking talks?
  • Why did RN rap delegates' conduct, while letting Rogers express Admin's concern over vote itself?
  • Who do we favor for Thant's job?
• VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA
  • Vietnam -- Why not a fixed date for our prisoners?
  • Under negotiated settlement, would all U.S. forces in SEA, including Thailand and Sixth Fleet, come home? (Possible implication in RN November 12 comments.)
  • Can RN go to Peking, Moscow in absence of fixed withdrawal date?
  • Cornell Study says U.S. maintains high level of bombing; even increases it in Laos and Cambodia. Is this true?
  • Cambodia -- Are we sinking into another quagmire? Like Vietnam?
• FOREIGN AID
  • If Aid to Vietnam, SE Asia cut too sharply will U.S. withdawal program be jeopardized?
  • Will RN accept the $2.6 billion Aid Package in conference?
• LATIN AMERICA Chile
  • Will U.S. apply Hickenlooper Amendment?
• LATIN AMERICA Castro & Cuba
  • Any change in offing in U.S. policy toward Castro, in wake of his visit to Latin America?
• LATIN AMERICA Finch Visit to Latin America
  • What accomplished?
• LATIN AMERICA Ecuador
  • What is RN doing about their nailing our fishing boats?
• MISCELLANEOUS
  • RN view of Kennedy suggestion British get out of Ireland?
  • Why was visit of RN Advisory Panel on South Asian Relief postponed?
  • After Cannikin, would U.S. consider complete nuclear test ban?
  • Why the Intelligence Re-Organization?
  • Why was Colonel Herbert "drummed out" of the Army?
• TAX MEASURES & CHECKOFF SCHEME
  • If the tax bill that reaches your desk is similar to the Senate version, and contains the write-off scheme for financing Presidential elections, would you veto it?
• MEANY
  • RN's view of Meany's $20,000 pay raise?
  • Did RN feel he was treated shabbily in Miami Beach?
  • RN's view of charge he "provoked" Labor to gain sympathy or to kick them off the Pay Board.
• POLITICAL QUESTIONS
  • Will RN let his name stand in N.H. -- filing deadline, Jan. 6?
  • In 1968, Candidate Nixon said all presidential candidates should be tested in the "fires of the Primaries." Does President Nixon concur?
  • RN's view of the Dump-Agnew talk?
  • Is Mitchell quitting January to head the campaign effort?
  • RN's view of the Democratic race; who will win?
• OEO-CHILD DEVELOPMENT-LEGAL SERVICES
  • Will RN veto?
• BUSSING AMENDMENTS
  • RN's view of proposed Constitutional amendments?
• CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
  • Marland says NO way Federal Government can Constitutionally bail them out -- Is this RN's view, in light of K of C comments?
• NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION
  • What happened to New American Revolution?
• CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
  • Investigating salute to RN contributions from Government workers -- RN's view?
• TELEVISED PRESS CONFERENCE
  • Why no televised press conference in six months?
• PAY RAISE FOR GOVERNMENT WOEKRS
  • RN view of 5 1/2% pay raise for Federal employees -- a proposed amendment.
• REHNQUIST NOMINATION
  • RN view of opposition; will he be confirmed?
• BUTZ NOMINATION
  • Who cleared him? Will he be confirmed/withdrawn?
• ENVIRONMENT
  • RN water pollution bill versus Muskie's.
• RN AND MEDIA
  • Daniel Schorr -- RN view of FBI investigation/without his approval? What job was he being considered for?
  • RN view of Whitehead's criticism of "centralized" programming of PBL?
  • Drury Book -- Does RN feel that, truly, he has had a press hostile to his program and point of view?
• ECONOMY Q & A
  • Does RN share Connally view on Pay Board's Soft Coal Decision? That it was a "disappointment"?
  • Does RN really feel that 2-3% inflation in cards by end of next year.
  • Is RN satisfied with Federal Reserve policy?
  • How does RN explain uncertainty and timidity of businessmen?
  • What about the slumping stock market?
  • Will Labor stay on Pay Board?
  • What will RN do if Labor pulls out?
  • How long will Phase II last?
  • Does U.S. intend to change price of gold?

The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

The National Archives Catalog is the online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records. It is the main way of describing our holdings and also provides access to electronic records and digitized versions of our holdings. 

The Catalog searches across multiple National Archives resources at once, including archival descriptions, digitized and electronic records, authority records, and web pages from Archives.gov and the Presidential Libraries. The Catalog also allows users to contribute to digitized historical records through tagging and transcription.

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The President's Daily Brief is the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House on current and future national security issues. Read "The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford" to learn more.

• President's Daily Brief of 28 November 1971

The Kissinger telephone conversation transcripts consist of approximately 20,000 pages of transcripts of Kissinger’s telephone conversations during his tenure as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (1969-1974) and Secretary of State (1973-1974) during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Visit the finding aid for more information.

Digitized versions can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

The White House Communications Agency Videotape Collection contains “off-the-air” recordings of televised programs produced between 1968 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

• WHCA-4811
  "Thirty Minutes" AND "Washington Week in Review".
  NET Public Affairs
  Runtime: 01:00:07
• WHCA-4841
  "Face the Nation"; "Meet the Press" AND "Issues And Answers". 30M: U.S. Senator Frank Church (D-WA).
  WETA, WETA Public Affairs
  Runtime: 01:32:56
• WHCA-4842
  "60 Minutes" AND "Newsmakers".
  Eastern Educational Network
  Runtime: 01:31:13
• WHCA-4843
  "Firing Line".
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 01:00:35

• New York Times of November 28, 1971

• AP Images photos from November 28, 1971
• Getty Images photos from November 28, 1971

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• November 1971 Broadcast Index

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• November 28, 1971