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April 17, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, April 17, 1973, pulls together various records created by the federal government and links to additional resources which can provide context about the events of the day.

Previous Date: Monday, April 16, 1973

Next Date: Wednesday, April 18, 1973

Schedule and Public Documents

Archival Holdings

Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • 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)
      Tuesday, April 17.

      Today was another major Watergate day. This time super-major. We decided this morning that there was a need for action. The President called me in at 9:45 and said that he wanted to meet with Ehrlichman, Rogers, and me at 3:00. And I pointed out that Ehrlichman had talked with Shultz-- excuse me with Colson this morning and that Chuck, as well as Ziegler and others, had made the point that there are a lot of things breaking, and that it probably is going to be important for the President to make some public move today, and if so, we should meet earlier than 3:00 in order to decide what direction to take. So we agreed to meet at 1:00 after his meeting with Andreotti.

      He made the point that he agreed we'd probably have to move today. He said there's a real problem of Ehrlichman and Haldeman being nibbled to death over a period of time if we don't move out ahead of this, with big new blips coming in every day. He mentioned that he was concerned about the Dean problem that he'd raised on the question of Liddy's conversation with him, which he says he reported to Ehrlichman, and Ehrlichman failed to do anything about. He's concerned about the problem of money, especially the last bite for Hunt, and what did Kalmbach say regarding the purpose of the money that he moved over. He says LaRue talked very freely. He says there's the destruction of evidence problem on the stuff from Hunt's safe. He feels we need to develop a positive story on the money. We need to think about a positive move at 3:00 today which was then changed-- well, that we'll make the move at 3:00 and think about it earlier.

      He then said you and John should be thinking in terms, not just of the Presidency and all that crap, which I know you think about all the time, but also think in terms of yourselves and the question of this dragging out bit by bit and whether it's not better to cut it off. He said the incentive with the US Attorney and everybody else in this case is to nail the highest people they can get. The prosecution is very clever, but this had to come out and it's just as well that it's coming this way. Dean is the one who surprises, and to some extent, disappoints him. I found the latter rather shocking, considering the fact that Dean has turned total traitor, and he shouldn't be surprised and disappointed. He should be shocked and furious.

      Then in discussing this during the morning with Ziegler, I spun out a theory that I think has proven to be correct. Which is that the President's concerned about additional knowledge Dean has and threats that Dean is making to reveal that, or that perhaps Dean has already revealed it to Petersen, and the two of them are working together in threatening, in order to try and nail us.

      These suspicions were confirmed when Ehrlichman and I met with the President at 12:30, right after Andreotti left, and Ehrlichman reported on his meeting with Colson who says Dean must be dealt with summarily. The key is that Dean must not get immunity, and the President, Colson feels, has total control over that. Colson told Ehrlichman he must see the President to pass this thinking on to him. The President said he didn't want Colson to come in and didn't want to see him, and that John should tell him that the President has his message, and there's no need for him to come in to cover it. Then the President said the problem here in dealing with that, is we have to look at what Dean has. He has threats on other things in government. If he gets immunity, he will pay the lowest price he can. In other words, if they give him immunity, he will give them the least amount of information he can and still get the immunity. That's what he tells the President, obviously, but the key to that is that it has to reach all of us. That is, Ehrlichman and me, as well as Dean. The President talked to Dean about his resignation, and Dean made the point that Haldeman and Ehrlichman would have to resign if he was going to.

      Petersen told the President that his view is that it's all going to come out. So Haldeman and Ehrlichman should resign, not because there's any legal exposure, but because they'll be eaten alive. So they should get a leave now and get away from the White House. The President says there will be a big hassle in this on who is lying. Also the problem of what Dean said to the President regarding the need for the $120,000, and the problem continuing down the road along that apparent blackmail route which would, in Dean's estimate, cost a million dollars.

      The President discussed that conversation, although I reminded him that I was in it, which I think startled him some. He says we have to figure that Dean could put out that story to someone else. For example, the press. He then said to John and me, you are the two most valuable members of my staff and that's why they're trying to reach you. You're also the two most loyal and the two most honest. I don't want a public clamor, as there was with Sherman Adams, where the ultimate result is that he had to be asked to leave. So we have to figure what kind of blackmail Dean has. Dean says he'll go on leave, if Ehrlichman and Haldeman will. Ehrlichman made a strong point that the President should get rid of Dean, as Colson said, and the President said the only way I can do that is if you and Haldeman go.

      Petersen has told the President that because of the evidence he has against Haldeman and Ehrlichman they should take a leave. Ehrlichman says if he does that, the first thing he'll do is sink Petersen on the basis of his having given information to Dean about the grand jury transactions, which Dean passed on to the other witnesses and defendants at 1701 [CRP]. And the reason that Ehrlichman will sink Petersen is because he's convinced Petersen will indict Ehrlichman if he doesn't.

      The President says that if the President doesn't suspend Haldeman and Ehrlichman, Petersen won't give Dean immunity, and he has to have Dean to make his case against Haldeman and Ehrlichman. The President says that, regarding Colson, you should tell him the President's got his message on the Dean immunity point.

      Dean apparently rewrote his resignation the President gave him yesterday on the basis that if Haldeman and Ehrlichman resign, I will. The President said I think I'm trapped, because I told Dean that Haldeman and Ehrlichman are willing to go if that's needed. Also Dean has an ally in the US Attorney and the Assistant Attorney General. He then said, and I'm quoting, "The problem I've got is that I think maybe I've trapped myself.” The President says he told Petersen that letting Dean off is an incentive to him to lie. Petersen said, that's what you do, Mr. President, in criminal cases. He said that they have to have corroborating testimony on the value of Dean's evidence. And that's why he's calling Strachan, Colson, Kalmbach, and so on. The point they make is that the White House staff kept Dean’s highly sensitive information from the President. That's another lie. They say that Strachan had reports that were clearly identified as wiretap material and also that he had plans regarding the wiretaps.

      Then we discussed what the President's position ought to be on a statement, if he put it out today, that the charges by McCord and so on caused the President to order a full press investigation. Then the President said, "What was Dean's line on that before he deserted", which is kind of an interesting quote.

      Garment met with the President and he suggests that he should suspend everybody who is involved. Anyone refusing cooperation should be dismissed, anyone indicted would be granted leave. Strachan-- the President said to tell Strachan not to try to hedge anything before the grand jury.

      Then we got back to the problem of Hunt's materials and reworked that ground. The President said in both Colson and Dean, I think he meant Magruder and Dean, we have clever liars that we're dealing with. He then said in going back and agonizing over all this that there's no sense in aggravating Dean. This was in the question of suspending or canning him. He'll do anything to save his own ass. He's pissing as high as he can get now. We can't let him piss higher, which would be on the President.

      Then we get into the question of the date of Hunt's threat and when the Dean-Haldeman meeting with the President was, where that came up. Then the President says how do I handle the problem of the Assistant Attorney General telling me that he has charges against Haldeman and Ehrlichman and says that he must-- that they're of such a nature that he must put them on leave? So why doesn't he do it? The answer is that he can say, when you tell me you're going to file charges or indict them, then I'll suspend them. Until then, I have no basis for it. He said the real problem is what if we end up in the gray area, with no charges filed, just implications, such as knowledge in advance and so on. Then how do we-- what action do we take? The President raised the question of why can't we just leave Dean in his office, but tell everybody not to have any further dealings with him.

      Ehrlichman urged a special prosecutor to take over from Petersen and made his case again on what a bad guy Petersen was, and the need for the President to get special counsel, but the President didn't buy it, I don't think.

      Later I got a report from Strachan. He’d had a conference with Silbert and Glanzer and his lawyer and they convinced him that they have enough on Dean on all kinds of things that they can indict him on perjury on two counts. One, on the discrepancy on the amount of cash. The $350,000 versus $328,000, and second on Liddy's activities. His knowledge of Liddy's activities and spying and so on. The question then is whether he continues his present lines and gets indicted or takes the Fifth and goes to jail. This is the way the message came through, which doesn't make sense. He said they won't let him correct his statement regarding the $350,000 and that they have information regarding another expenditure from the fund which Strachan doesn't know about. He said to check the seven points he covered with Ehrlichman, that that's where the things are vulnerable, and the deal they are trying to make with him is that if he goes through all those points that he covered with Ehrlichman Sunday, the seven items, and everything else he knows, including some of which they say they already have, so this would just be to corroborate, then he'll have a chance of getting out, which means he'll become a witness and not a defendant. But they do not guarantee immunity. He says, obviously, they're trying to make a deal with him and they're not really offering him very much. The problem is that Strachan bared his soul to Dean, and so now it's all coming back to haunt him.

      At 4:00, after the President had a long meeting with Petersen, he called Ehrlichman and me back in and said he went the rounds with Petersen again. That Petersen agrees on Dean, that he ought to be dismissed and has argued that point with the US Attorneys. But they say that they suppose that's the only way, that Dean's the only way to get at Ehrlichman and Haldeman, and they can't jeopardize that.

      The new elements are, first, the President told him that immunity was out. In other words, he would not tolerate immunity for Dean, and he told him that he had discussed this with Bill Rogers, who said it was totally wrong to give Dean immunity. Second, regarding the leaks by Petersen from the grand jury, he said Mitchell was aware that Dean had leaked this material and so on. Petersen said that it didn't get very far and was no problem. Third, Petersen's talked to Gray, and Gray says he destroyed the material and that he's going to have to bring that out. Gray was told there was no Watergate material, just political, but there's still the problem of destruction of evidence on Gray’s part.

      The President says the situation on Ehrlichman and Haldeman finally comes out. First, they don't have the Magruder deal, but they will give the President twelve hours notice when they make it. They will say that they're hauling him into court to plead guilty, and then put out a statement which would be both as broad and as narrow as possible. They’ll say he's named certain people, and that other people are non-indicted co-conspirators that will be named as a group. This will include Dean, but Petersen says it will not include Ehrlichman and Haldeman if they take a leave. The President said, are you saying that if Haldeman and Ehrlichman take a leave you won't prosecute them? And he said no, it just means they aren't on the list. They'll still appear at the grand jury and I'll have to make their case there.

      He says it’ll appear bad if Haldeman and Ehrlichman are left off-- no we agreed no-- correction Petersen said that it would appear bad if Haldeman and Ehrlichman are left off the list and were not suspended prior to that, and that Sirica will hit them on that, and it will appear that the Justice Department is covering up for the two top White House people. The President said he was concerned about our vulnerability, he doesn't think they can make a case against us. Petersen's really saying that we'll be on the list unless we decide to take a leave. Dean's lawyers said that Dean will try this Administration if they don't give him immunity. In other words, he's going to nail the President, supposedly.

      Ehrlichman and I then took a break for an hour to meet with our new attorney, Mr. Wilson. This was a very satisfactory meeting just to give him the preliminaries. I think he's going to work out very well. We regrouped at 6:00 in the EOB with Rogers and the President, and went back over the point that Kleindienst and Petersen are pushing the President that Ehrlichman and Haldeman should resign. But the conclusion is that we should not go on a leave or resign or anything at this point, until there's some reason for it in terms of action. Rogers then left.

      The President says we were right in not following Garment's course of dumping you guys. It would have made the prosecution case for Dean's immunity, and that we don't want. Regarding Dean, they’ll either make a deal or not, and when it's done he has to be dismissed. The President raised the question of whether he should see Dean again and felt he should not.

      He said we should consider libel suits; especially I should, that I should get the most vicious libel lawyer in the country and sue right down the line, including Weicker, and depose him fast. The President then was obviously extremely awkward and upset during this conversation. He made the point that I'm not emotional, as you know, and I won't be now, but you guys have been through hell and we've got to fight this rap all the way. He said there's a real problem if in the area that you may beat the rap, but may not be able to come back to government. If that's the case, I want the two of you to take over the Foundation and get that set up if you have to leave. Then we said we appreciated that thought. Ehrlichman said if he gets indicted, whether or not he's convicted, he feels he's through as far as any career is concerned, as well as in government, and that he'd be through as a lawyer. The President said, well, you can be my partner. John said, yes, and then we can try traffic cases out in San Clemente.

      He talked over ideas for a new counsel to the President and some ideas on Attorney General, referring to Kleindienst as a bowl of jelly. The President also told us that he had available some contributed gift funds that could be made available to us for legal fees. This would be via Bebe and could be up to a maximum of $250,000. He does not want us to have to take care of our own fees.

      He then looked at me and said, if all this takes place, how do I replace Haldeman? Then I suggested that he shouldn't try to, that he would just have to set up a new structure and work without a replacement for me would just work in a different way. Which I honestly believe he can do. My position at this point is that we've just got to ride this out. Take whatever comes, however it comes, and handle it as best we can at the time. It's very hard to tell what that'll be, but there's every reason to believe that at some point the right result will develop and that we can have confidence in that. In the meantime, we have to contend with whatever comes along.

      End of April 17.

      Continuation on April 17. The President called me at midnight after the Italian dinner and said, well, I just wanted to say keep the faith. I kind of laughed and said, how was the dinner? He said it was fine, then he said, as a matter of fact, it was one of the worst I've ever had, because of what's on my mind. He said, John and you and I should meet again tomorrow morning to go over what's coming, look at the names that are involved and be prepared for it. There's a question of whether someone should talk to Dean. Maybe the President should. Obviously, Dean's trying to save himself, and the President thinks the US Attorney will give him immunity. If he tells the truth, that doesn't bother him. If it's an incentive to lie, that's another problem. We have to get some kind of line regarding the defendants on their fees and support, because we don't make our case clearly enough on that. He says we should think over and talk with Moore about the one thing that troubles him about Dean when he came in with the information from Bittman, because the argument is that the President should have turned it over to the US Attorney. Which is a real problem that we should give hard thought to. Of course, it isn't really a problem. He says if Dean has immunity, he'll go with that.

      The problem is the President talked freely with him on the blackmail point and all of that, because he was trying to draw him out. He then said he wished there were a way to separate Ehrlichman out, because the vulnerability of a lawyer in this kind of thing is enormous. He said let's see now, they've got clear cases apparently on LaRue, Mitchell, Mardian, Magruder, O'Brien, and Parkinson. It's important to know what Ehrlichman's investigation was that triggered it. We have to figure how we can save what there is left of the Presidency. The White House is involved apart from Ehrlichman and Haldeman. There would be Strachan, possibly Colson, Fielding. Then he asked, it doesn't touch Higby, does it? They haven't subpoenaed him, have they? And I said no. Said the real tragedy is Mitchell, why doesn't he step up? He's going to get it without any question. We don't think he can stall it out. He should assume the responsibility, which is, of course, what we said all along.

      End of April 17.
    • 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. 

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National Security Documents

  • 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.

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

    Neither War nor Peace, January 27-June 15, 1973

    • 43. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, April 17, 1973, 8:35-9:27 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H–Files), Box H–91, WSAG Meeting Minutes, Originals, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

    Kissinger's Visits to Beijing and the Establishment of the Liaison Offices, January 1973-May 1973

    • 28. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 17, 1973, 3:30-4:10 p.m.

      Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–76-117, China, 333, April 23, 1973. Secret. The memorandum of conversation was prepared by Robert L. Vandegrift and approved by Dennis Doolin. The meeting was held in Lawrence Eagleburger’s office.

    Vol. XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973-1976

    Iraq, January 1973-December 1974

    Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

    March 8-October 5, 1973

    • 176. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 17, 1973, 5 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1027, Presidential/HAK Memcons, Memcons, April–November 1973. Secret. Sent for information. Drafted by Saunders. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office. All brackets are in the original. In an April 17 briefing memorandum, Saunders and Quandt reminded Kissinger of Yamani’s proposal for a special relationship with the United States (see Document 140), the “real purpose” of which was to develop closer strategic ties by binding the United States to Saudi oil, offsetting a short-term U.S. balance-of-payments problem by investing in the United States, and thus guaranteeing that the Saudis would not cut off the flow of oil. They thought this purpose had now become a Saudi desire to invest in their own development and industrialization. Beside this paragraph Kissinger wrote: “Important.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 630, Country Files, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Vol. III)

    Vol. E-6, Documents on Africa, 1973-1976

    Horn of Africa

    Vol. E-9, Documents on North Africa, 1973-1976

    Libya, 1973-1976

    Vol. E-12, Documents on East and Southeast Asia, 1973-1976

    Philippines

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Italy, 1973-1976

    • 344. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) for the President’s Files, Washington, April 17, 1973

      Summary: The memorandum records a discussion among Nixon, Kissinger, and Andreotti on Italian politics.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 923, VIP Visits, Italy’s PM Andreotti’s Visit, April 17, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Oval Office from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Andreotti paid an official visit to Washington from April 17 to 18; a record of Nixon’s April 18 conversation with Andreotti, during which they discussed economics, Japan, Argentina, MBFR, and East-West relations, is ibid.

  • 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.

Audiovisual Holdings

  • Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

    Old Executive Office Building

    Oval Office

    White House Telephone

  • The White House Photo Office collection consists of photographic coverage of President Richard Nixon meeting with prominent social, political, and cultural personalities; speaking engagements and news conferences of the President and various high-ranking members of the White House staff and Cabinet; Presidential domestic and foreign travel, including Presidential vacations; social events and entertainment involving the First Family, including entertainers present; official portraits of the President, First Family, and high-ranking members of the Nixon administration; the 1969 and 1973 Inaugurals; the President’s 1972 Presidential election campaign appearances (including speeches) and other official activities of the White House staff and the President’s Cabinet from January 20, 1969 until August 9, 1974 at the White House and the Old Executive Office Building; other locations in Washington, DC, such as The Mall; and the Presidential retreats in Camp David, Maryland, Key Biscayne, Florida, and San Clemente, California. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    Roll WHPO-E0653 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0653-, Preparations of the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. unidentified White House staff, President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-E0654 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0654-, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, unidentified White House staff, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0654-26, President Nixon and Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy walking while reviewing the troops during Andreotti's White House arrival ceremony. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, military officer, troops.

    Roll WHPO-E0655 Photographer: Moore, Robert (Supervisor/Director, WHPO Photographic Laboratory) | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0655-, President Nixon and officials take part in the White House arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, unidentified White House staff, attendees.

    Roll WHPO-E0656 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0656-01A, President Nixon and Pat Nixon greet Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy at his limousine at the beginning of his White House arrival ceremony. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, Secretary of State William Rogers, Adele Rogers, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0656-01A-25A, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), Secretary of State William Rogers, Adele Rogers, military honor guard, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E0657 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0657-, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), Secretary of State William Rogers, Adele Rogers, military honor guard, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0657-26, President Nixon and Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy at the review platform podium during Andreotti's arrival ceremony. Officials and crowd are visible in the background. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E0658 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0658-, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, Marine marching band, unidentified White House staff, attendees.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0658-13A, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. The Marine Band marching by wearing red jackets and black or dark navy pants. Troops stand at attention in the background. Washington Memorial visible in the background. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Lawn. Marine marching band, military troops, honor guard.

    Roll WHPO-E0659 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0659-, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, military band, officials, crowd.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0659-14A, President Nixon and Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy walk by the crowd as the Marine Band performs during Andreotti's arrival ceremony. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, military band, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E0660 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0660-, President Nixon and Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy take part in a reception after the arrival ceremony. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), William P. Rogers, Secretary of State, Mrs. William P. Rogers, Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., Chief of Naval Operations, Mrs. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0660-, President Nixon and Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy seated informally during an Oval Office meeting with Andrea Cagiati, Diplomatic Advisor Andreotti and Neil Seidenman, Interpreter. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Giulio Andreotti, Andrea Cagiati, Diplomatic Advisor to Andreotti, Neil A. Seidenman, State Department interpreter.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0660-01-05, President Nixon and officials take part in the arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), military honor guard, military band, officials, crowd.

    Roll WHPO-E0661 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0661-, President Nixon and officials with Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy upon his departure from the White House. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, South Grounds. President Nixon, Giulio Andreotti, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Andrea Cagiati, Diplomatic Advisor to Andreotti, Neil A. Seidenman, State Department interpreter, Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-E0662 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-02A-05A, Reception for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Iraly. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Blue Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), Agnew, Mrs. Agnew, military band, guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-05A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Col. Jack Brennan (in dress military uniform), and Mrs. Brennan pose for a portrait during a receiving line at the reception for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Col. John Brennan, Mrs. Brennan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-06A-17A, Frank Sinatra performing in the East Room for President Nixon, Pat Nixon, and Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy in the audience during the evening of a state dinner. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese) Marine Jazz band members.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-18A-24A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy, and Frank Sinatra pose for a portrait after Sinatra's performance in the East Room. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-20A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy, Mrs. Livia (Danese) Andreotti, and Frank Sinatra pose for a portrait after Sinatra's performance in the East Room. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Livia (Danese) Andreotti.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-25A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy, and Frank Sinatra pose for a portrait after Sinatra's performance in the East Room. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Livia (Danese) Andreotti, Agnew, Mrs. Agnew, military band, guests, Spiro Agnew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-25A-29A, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy, Mrs. Livia (Danese) Andreotti, Vice President Agnew, Judy Agnew, and Frank Sinatra pose for a portrait after Sinatra's performance in the East Room. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Livia (Danese) Andreotti, Agnew, Judy Agnew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0662-30A-34A, President Nixon and Frank Sinatra put the microphone back on its stand. President Nixon thanks the pianist and members of the Marine Jazz band for their performance with Frank Sinatra in the East room. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Frank Sinatra, unidentified pianist, Marine Jazz band members.

    Roll WHPO-E0663 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-03, President Nixon stands at the North Portico waiting to greet Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy soon to arrive for a state dinner evening. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-04-06, President Nixon stands at the North Portico greeting Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy and Mrs. Andreotti arriving for a state dinner evening. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese).
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-07-11, Vice President Agnew, Judy Agnew, Secretary of State William Rogers, and Adele Rogers stand near the Grand Staircase listening to Marine Band trumpeters playing. A White House Security guard stands nearby wearing new white jacket Regency style uniform, no cap and gold shoulder braid swag, black trousers with gold stripe. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Staircase, White House. Spiro Agnew, Mrs. Judy Agnew, William Rogers, Adele Rogers, White House security guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-10, Vice President Agnew, Judy Agnew, Secretary of State William Rogers, and Adelle Rogers stand near the Grand Staircase listening to Marine Band trumpeters playing. A White House Security guard stands nearby wearing new white jacket Regency style uniform, no cap and gold shoulder braid swag, black trousers with gold stripe. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Staircase, White House. Spiro Agnew, Mrs. Judy Agnew, William Rogers, Adele Rogers, White House security guard.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-12, Color Guard members walk through the Grand staircase doorway on a state dinner evening for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Staircase, White House. Military troops color guard with flags.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-16, President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy, and Mrs. Andreotti pose for formal portraits at the Grand Staircase on state dinner evening. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Staircase, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy, Mrs. Andreotti.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-22-25, President Nixon and Pat Nixon receiving State Dinner guests during a reception honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Blue Room, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), honor guard, unidentified guests.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0663-26-30, Presidential party and guests en route to State Dinner honoring President Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Grand Hall, White House. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), honor guard, unidentified guests.

    Roll WHPO-E0664 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0664-02-03, Vice President Agnew, Mrs. Judy Agnew, Secretary of State William Rogers and Mrs. Adele Rogers chat by the door of the East room before enteriing to hear Frank Sinatra perform on state dinner evening for Prime Minister Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room doorwy. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, William Rogers, Adele Rogers.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0664-05, President Nixon speaking at the microphone before an East Room performance by singer Frank Sinatra honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Marine military stage band, guests, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0664-05-08, President Nixon speaking at the microphone before an East Room performance by singer Frank Sinatra honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Marine military stage band, guests, unidentified persons.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0664-13, Frank Sinatra singing during his East Room performance honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. Members of the U.S. Marine Stage Band, wearing red jackets are performing nearby. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Frank Sinatra, Marine military stage band, guests, unidentified audience members.

    Roll WHPO-E0665 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0665-, A reception featuring singer Frank Sinatra honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Spiro Agnew, Mrs. Agnew, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), Agnew, Mrs. Agnew, military band, guests.

    Roll WHPO-E0666 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0666-, Frank Sinatra performing in the East Room honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti of Italy. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. President Nixon, Pat Nixon, Frank Sinatra, Agnew, Mrs. Agnew, Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, Mrs. Andreotti (Livia Danese), Agnew, Mrs. Agnew, military band, guests.

    Roll WHPO-E0667 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0667-, President Nixon addressing the press on developments in the Watergate case. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. Briefing Room, White House. President Nixon, reporters and photographers of the press corp, unidentified White House staff.

    Roll WHPO-E0673 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0673-, Frank Sinatra singing and rehearsing for his performance in the East Room honoring Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. 4/17/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, East Room. Frank Sinatra, Marine Jazz stage band.

  • The White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection contains public statements that took place between 1969 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-730415
      State arrival ceremony for Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. (4/17/1973)

      Runtime: 3:23

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-730416
      Photo opportunity with Prime Minister Andreotti, HAK. (4/17/1973)

      Runtime: 3:45

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-730417
      Remarks by President Nixon Announcing Procedures and Developments in Connection with the Watergate Investigations. (4/17/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 0:07:44

      Keywords: presidential news conferences, presidential press conferences, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify,

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CBW (initials of WHCA engineer); mult/pool feed by CBS

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-P-730418
      Remarks by President Nixon in toast to Prime Minister Andreotti. (4/17/1973)

      Runtime: 4:25

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-071
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (4/17/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 28:14:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RMM (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-S-072
      Remarks by Ronald Ziegler to the press. (4/17/1973, White House Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 26:37:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JMM (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

  • 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-6239
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:34:23

      8. Reasoner/Jerriel: President Nixon on the Watergate. Time Code Start: 15:27. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      9. Reasoner/Dick Shoemaker/Artist Bill Lignante: Pentagon Papers trial Prosecutor David Nissen, Ellsberg explains why he copied and released papers. Time Code Start: 18:31. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, classified documents, secrets, Watergate, courts, trials, Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombings, testify. Network: ABC.

      10. Reasoner: Comment on Indochina. Time Code Start: 20:05. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.

      11. Utley/Valeriani/Stern: President Nixon on the Watergate. Time Code Start: 21:58. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      12. Utley/Brady: Cambodia. Time Code Start: 26:47. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

      13. Brinkley: Comment on auto pollution. Time Code Start: 29:55. Keywords: automobiles, cars, trucks, vehicles, emissions, pollutants, air pollution, smog, smoke. Network: NBC.

      14. Utley/Neal: Military bases closed; new weapons. Time Code Start: 31:46. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, air bases, airfields, airports, closings. Network: NBC.

      15. Utley/Kiker: Watergate. Time Code Start: 36:47. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.

      16. Cronkite/Pierpoint: President Nixon on the Watergate. Time Code Start: 39:11. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      17. Cronkite: Senators respond to Watergate announcement. Time Code Start: 43:16. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      18. Cronkite/Schorr: President Nixon's speech on Watergate. Time Code Start: 44:40. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      19. Cronkite/Fred Graham/Artist Don Juhlin: Pentagon papers trial Ellsberg testimony, says didn't steal only transferred it to different branch of government. Time Code Start: 46:23. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, classified documents, secrets, Watergate, courts, trials, Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombings, testify. Network: CBS.

      20. Cronkite/Culhane/Rabel: Military bases closed. Time Code Start: 48:12. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, air bases, airfields, airports, closings. Network: CBS.

      21. Cronkite/Morton: Congress on the budget. Time Code Start: 52:50. Keywords: House of Representatives, budgets, economy, economics, budget, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: CBS.

      22. Sevareid: Commentary on President Nixon on military bases and stockpiles. Time Code Start: 56:04. Keywords: Armed Forces, military, air bases, airfields, airports, closings, weapons, sales. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)