April 24, 1973

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• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

The President's day began at Key Biscayne, Florida

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• Executive Order 11715—Amending Executive Order No. 11708, Placing Certain Positions in Levels IV and V of the Executive Schedule
• Executive Order 11714—Amending Executive Order No. 11652 on Classification and Declassification of National Security Information and Material

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.

• Federal Register of Tuesday, April 24, 1973

Argued

• Logue v. United States
• Strunk v. United States

Decided

• Mourning v. Family Publications Service, Inc.
• Palmore v. United States
• Tonasket v. Washington
• United States v. Russell

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.

• Annotated and Unmarked News Summaries [Note: Although there was no News Summary on this date, due to the way News Summary products were compiled, you should also consult nearby days for potentially relevant materials.]

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 24.
  
  This was another Watergate day. The President in Key Biscayne returning tonight. Ehrlichman and I spent the day working on various Watergate matters. Ziegler called this morning. Said the decision still hasn't been made. That he talked to Rogers and that the President is going to talk to Rogers again today.
  
  John and I met with the attorneys at 10:30 and they felt, on this matter of the President getting jumpy, that first he should ask Petersen what the evidence is on us. There's no impropriety on this and they would like a memorandum from Petersen or the US Attorney's office outlining the evidence. Two, the idea of stringing this out is affecting the national image. The prosecutors' design is to let it get more volcanic and that ignores the interest of the Office of the President. There's a very bad press situation. The President's injured by the uncertainty, and they feel the President should ask Petersen what is the reason for the delay. It's hurting the government of the United States. Regarding the press curiosity of why Ehrlichman is in on this, they feel third, that the President is categorizing both of us together. That's a problem, and if there's a real distinction they should spell it out. Fourth, the move now of resigning would put Ehrlichman and Haldeman in the same class with Dean. We don't deserve it, it's very bad timing and it would be unwise to jump the gun. Fifth, our move lets Petersen hit us without any cover of the White House anymore, and he gets no-- the President gets no good from it. They feel he's in a panic now, and this is dangerous as hell. Sixth, they feel he's not playing his best card with Petersen. He's just listening. Wilson would welcome the opportunity to meet with the President. He needs to exert superiority over Petersen and put him on the spot, Wilson feels.
  
  We discussed other problems on the question of the money to the families. They feel that if there's any actual evidence from any source that this was used to hush up, then there's a real problem. If the defendants were out on bail at the time the dollars were dispersed, why was it having anything to do with taking care of the families. They could do that. So it makes that a fiction, and he feels, in summary, that if the funds were used for fees and families, that's okay. But if someone says that there was a plan to hush up, then everyone in the stream is in trouble circumstantially. This is the heart of our problem and the key weakness. If there was a payment to the men for that purpose, then there was obstruction.
  
  Talked to Ziegler during our meeting with the lawyers. He said that the President called Rogers, and also Ziegler talked to Rogers and Connally. Both Connally and Rogers recommend the action as described. And said he had covered my points with the President, and the question of Dean resigning, he said it would be at the same time but on different tones. That he has nothing from Petersen, or at least the President hasn't told Ron about it, and he says that you should understand the general direction is, there's no shift. They're spending the time now going over how, rather than whether. He doesn't have any stuff on text from Buchanan.
  
  Then this afternoon Ron called again and said, in answer to some of our questions, the grounds are that we're leaving because of the news swirl and the suggestions that are raised, and we've drawn the conclusion that we cannot, in this environment, contribute to the Presidency. That the White House must get on with the movement of the Presidency. The cloud of doubt is there and we want to remove it. He recognizes that this won't solve the problem, but it will give him the opportunity to concentrate. And because of the focus of attention, our viability and the question of whether or not we can survive is bothering him. He feels there's no legal liability in either case. Then why resign? Because of the complexity of this issue and my suggested involvement and the concentration of attention in the White House. Sooner or later, this-- we argued, this becomes seen as a diversionary maneuver and does the President no good. Ron then said he's assessed our vulnerability, but he can't give us any reading on that assessment.
  
  I talked to Rogers to see if he'd be willing to meet with Ehrlichman and me, and he said that he keeps saying to Ron and the President that the President has to decide this. He feels my case will be especially tough. The problem is how can we do our jobs in the meantime. I suggested one way would be that I could take a leave of absence until it's cleared up. Rogers said this is the direction in which he leans. He said he doesn't know anything about John, but the President keeps mentioning wiretapping and leaks and so on. But Rogers keeps coming back to where he was, which is probably a leave of absence. He said he thinks the President is going to talk to us and if after that, we then feel a need to talk to Rogers, that it might be okay. He doesn't want to be in a position of making the decision and if it appears that it's coming out wrong from the Presidency standpoint, then he would talk with us and perhaps intervene.
  
  Ziegler called later to say that he had covered the various questions we'd raised and the President was considering them, but I got the clear impression that Ron doesn't feel there's any change in direction at this point. Henry came in and had a long talk with John and me this afternoon. And his view is strongly that if it's inevitable we're going to fall eventually, then we should get out as soon as we know it's inevitable, but definitely not before. Which is different than the way the President expresses Henry's view. Henry went through some of what he feels are the problems if we do go. He came up with the very sound idea for me that, if I go, I should not make a full statement trying to explain my role. I should go above the battle and say that I'll clear my name in the courts and the other processes and at the appropriate point after the dust has settled, I'll make a full public disclosure of my position in total. But it would serve no useful purpose to do so now. I think this might be a very good move.
  
  John and I both have come down gradually, as the day rolls on, on the basis that we're going to confront the President pretty strongly tomorrow with the challenge that if he has something that is going to come out on us, he must tell us about it and we'll act on that basis. If he doesn't, then there isn't a case to be made for our going, at least at this point. We'll just have to see how that works out. The lawyers ought to soften him up some ahead of time on that.
  
  End of April 24.
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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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 24 April 1973

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. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

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

• 29. Memorandum from the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers, Secretary of Defense Richardson, Secretary of the Treasury Shultz, Secretary of Agriculture Butz, and Secretary of Commerce Dent, Washington, April 24, 1973

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 526, Country Files, Far East, People’s Republic of China, Vol. 6, Jan-Apr 1973. Secret. A copy of this memorandum was sent to the Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, Peter Flanigan. Kissinger approved the memorandum after receiving it under an April 16 covering memorandum from Holdridge. (Ibid.) On May 16, Kissinger sent it to all department and agency heads. (Ibid., Box 527, Country Files, Far East, People’s Republic of China, Vol. 7, May, 1973-Jul 9, 1973)

Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974

March 8-October 5, 1973

• 181. Message From King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to President Nixon, JIdda, April 24, 1973

  Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Scowcroft Daily Work Files, Box 2, Chronological File A, May 16–20, 1973. Secret; Sensitive. The message was received from Prince Fahd in Jidda on April 24 and transmitted to Kissinger on April 26.

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

Burundi

• 58. Memorandum From the Director of Central African Affairs (Cohen) to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom), Washington, April 24, 1973

  Cohen transmitted and summarized an airgram from Ambassador Yost in Bujumbura describing the impact of the U.S. policy of minimizing relations with Burundi.
  
  Source: National Archives, AF/C Files: Lot 76 D 427, Burundi, Memcon/Briefing Memo 1973. Confidential. The Briefing memorandum was drafted by Siefkin and Cohen (AF/C). A handwritten note from Newsom to Cohen on the first page reads: “Let’s wait for Bob Yost’s specific recommendations on programs to be resumed.” The attached Airgram, Bujumbura A-31, March 30, 1973, is not published.

Vol. E-11, Part 1, Documents on Mexico; Central America; and the Caribbean, 1973-1976

Mexico

• 52. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, April 24, 1973

  Summary: Kissinger summarized a March 19 memorandum from Director of Central Intelligence Schlesinger regarding President Echeverría’s attitude towards the United States, highlighting the conclusion that Echeverría would draw back from his often critical posture if it became clear that his policies were undermining U.S.-Mexican relations.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 788, Latin America, Mexico, Vol. IV, 1973. Secret. Sent for information. A note on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.” Attached at Tab A, but not published, is Schlesinger’s unsigned memorandum of March 19. (Ibid.) An undated memorandum from Scowcroft for the President’s files summarized a February 14 conversation with Helms in which Nixon noted that Echeverría had been “particularly obnoxious” in recent public statements and asked if Echeverría was taking a “cheap shot” at the United States or if his actions reflected deeply held beliefs. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 1)

Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

Peru

• 284. Transcript of Telephone Conversation, Washington, April 24, 1973, 1 p.m.

  Summary: Kissinger and Shultz discussed how the United States should vote on an Inter-American Development Bank loan to Peru.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts (Telcons), Box 19, Chronological File, April 24–25, 1973. No classification marking. In a telephone conversation that took place at 4:30 p.m. on April 24, Shultz informed Kissinger that the President of the IDB, Antonio Ortíz Mena, had told him that “abstention would be be appropriate,” in his view, “because the Peruvians would regard this as a gesture of good faith on our part”; Kissinger and Shultz agreed that the United States should abstain. (Ibid.) In telegram 77610 to Lima, April 25, the Department instructed the Embassy to inform the Peruvian Government that the abstention was intended to express deep concern over U.S.-Peruvian investment disputes while also showing “good faith as a step towards successful conclusion of the Greene mission.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Box 793, Latin America, Peru, Vol. 3, January 1972–December 31, 1973)

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

Indonesia and the East Timor Crisis

• 96. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, April 24, 1973, 1405–1430., Washington, April 24, 1973, 1405-1430

  Eagleburger and Galbraith discussed U.S. relations with Indonesia.
  
  Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–76–117, Indonesia, 333, 1973, May 2. Secret. Drafted by Shaid and approved by Doolin. The conversation took place in Eagleburger’s office. Eagleburger’s talking points for the meeting are ibid. On April 25, Kissinger disapproved a recommendation that he meet with Galbraith. (Memorandum from Holdridge to Kissinger, April 23; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Far East, Box 533, Indonesia, Volume 4, 1 January 1973–)

Vol. E-14, Part 1, Documents on the United Nations, 1973-1976

Issues of Representation in International Organizations

• 55. Telegram 76900 From the Department of State to the Mission in Geneva, April 24, 1973, 1834Z., April 24, 1973, 1834Z

  The Department instructed the Mission to discourage any attempt by the Provisional Revolutionary Government to gain international stature by securing membership status in the World Health Organization or some other U.N. specialized agency.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret. Drafted by Rosenberg on April 23; cleared by Stull and McNutt, and in IO/HDC (in draft) and EA/VN; and approved by Sullivan. Repeated to Saigon, USUN, and the Delegate to the JEC in Paris.

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

France, 1973-1976

• 308. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, April 24, 1973, 3:18-3:45 p.m.

  Summary: The Senior Review Group considered the study prepared in response to NSSM 166, Review of U.S.-French Bilateral Issues.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–113, SRG Minutes (Originals) 1972–1973 (3 of 4). Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. Attached but not published is Walters’ briefing text, an April 23 paper entitled “Franco-American Relations.” In his briefing, Walters predicted that the recent easing of U.S.-French tensions would continue, but cautioned that some U.S.-French differences would remain, particularly regarding the U.S. role both in Europe and the world. The papers requested at this meeting were sent to Kissinger under cover of a May 11 memorandum from Eliot. (Ibid., Box H–195, Study Memorandums, 1969–1974, NSSM–166)

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.

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

White House Telephone

• 38-132; Unknown between 9:05 p.m. & 9:19 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator
• 38-133; 9:19 p.m. - 9:22 p.m.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.

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-E0696 Photographer: COPY | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E0696-, Dave Gergen portrait. 4/24/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. David Richmond Gergen.

Roll WHPO-E0700 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E0700-04A-07A, White House Communications Agency equipment. 4/24/1973, Miami, FL Miami Press Center.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E0700-08A-09A, Unidentified individuals in the press center. 4/24/1973, Miami, FL Miami Press Center. unidentified individuals.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E0700-A, Unidentified man napping, the official Presidential seal can be seen above him. 4/24/1973, Miami, FL Marine One helicopter interior. unidentified male.

Roll WHPO-E0701 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-E0701-, White House Communications Agency engineers setting up in the Miami Press Center. 4/24/1973, Miami, Florida Miami Press Center. unidentified workers.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E0701-03A, President Nixon walking down the ramp of the "Spirit of '76" (Air Force One) at Andrews Air Force Base. 4/24/1973, Maryland Andrews Air Force Base. President Nixon, Tricia Cox, David and Julie Eisenhower.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E0701-04A-14A, President Nixon greeting people in the crowd waiting at Andrews Air Force Base. 4/24/1973, Maryland Andrews Air Force Base. 14A: President Nixon, Ronald Zielger, members of the press.
• Frame(s): WHPO-E0701-14, President Nixon greeting people in the crowd waiting at Andrews Air Force Base. 4/24/1973, Maryland Andrews Air Force Base.

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.

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

• WHCA-SR-S-082
  Press briefing by Gerald Warren. (4/24/1973, 4 Ambassadors Press Center)
  
  Runtime: 30:00:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LDH (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-6245
  "Martin Agronsky: Evening Edition". Secretary of Defense Elliot Richardson.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:29:16
• WHCA-6250
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  11. Smith/Gill: President Nixon weighs what action to take about Watergate; Haldeman refuses comment to reporter Bill Matney about White House bugging. Time Code Start: 26:59. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: ABC.
  
  12. Smith/Median: Mitchell and Vesco. Time Code Start: 29:45. Keywords: law officials, investigations, financiers, banking, investments, securities, frauds, stocks, bonds, sales, Presidential elections, donations, contributions, gifts, money, funding. Network: ABC.
  
  13. Smith/Koppel: Cambodia and ceasefire problems. Time Code Start: 31:56. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: ABC.
  
  14. Smith: Comment on Watergate and Charlie Brown. Time Code Start: 34:35. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.
  
  15. Chancellor/Rosenfield: Problems with ceasefire; Sihanouk. Time Code Start: 36:40. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, royalty, Heads of State, leaders, truces, treaty, treaties, peace, ceasefires. Network: NBC.
  
  16. Chancellor/Spur: Ho Chi Minh trail; Cambodia; Sihanouk; in Peking, China. Time Code Start: 38:26. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, roads, People's Republic of China, royalty, Heads of State, leaders, officials. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Chancellor/Valeriani/Stern/Brinkley: Watergate. Time Code Start: 44:09. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: NBC.
  
  18. Cronkite/Kalb: Ceasefire problems. Time Code Start: 49:47. Keywords: Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Cronkite/Schorr/Henderson: Watergate, Mitchell and Vesco. Time Code Start: 52:28. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, scandals, financiers, banking, investments, securities, frauds, stocks, bonds, sales, Presidential elections, donations, contributions, gifts, money, funding. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Severeid: Comment on foreign economy. Time Code Start: 58:42. Keywords: World, national, reports, officials, economy, economics, debt, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of April 24, 1973

• AP Images photos from April 24, 1973
• Getty Images photos from April 24, 1973

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.

• April 1973 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• April 24, 1973