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April 9, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, April 9, 1971, 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: Thursday, April 8, 1971

Next Date: Saturday, April 10, 1971

Schedule and Public Documents

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

    The President's day began at The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • 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.

  • Each Public Papers of the Presidents volume contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States that were issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary during the time period specified by the volume. The material is presented in chronological order, and the dates shown in the headings are the dates of the documents or events. In instances when the release date differs from the date of the document itself, that fact is shown in the text note.

    To ensure accuracy, remarks have been checked against audio recordings (when available) and signed documents have been checked against the original, unless otherwise noted. Editors have provided text notes and cross references for purposes of identification or clarity.

  • 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.

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.

    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 30, News Summaries - April 1971 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. Although there are no specific documents with this date, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]

  • 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)
      Friday, April 9.

      We got into quite a discussion with Ziegler this morning on several PR items, particularly the Calley question, as a result of the problem of the letter from the prosecutor, Daniel. The President now feels that Ehrlichman should not have answered the questions regarding the Calley case when he announced the President's decision to review it. He feels we have to educate our people, not to be responsive and to recognize that a briefing is not for the benefit of the press.

      He also got into the Scott flap on the withdrawal dates. Scott is now saying that the President does have a definite date in mind, and the President spent considerable time briefing Ziegler on how to handle that, to shoot it down by making the point that he was present at the briefing, and that we have a plan for total American withdrawal, but the President said he would not discuss the matter of a final date, because that would jeopardize our three goals. He said the date depends on what happens, and therefore, he can't discuss it. He further went on to say that while he has a plan, it would be destructive to that plan to have any discussion of a fixed date. You can be certain of total withdrawal, but there is no date set for it, and that would greatly weaken the chances to end the war sooner. Scott then should say that the President did not tell him there was a fixed date, that the issue is total withdrawal, not the date of it. And Ziegler should say he talked to Scott, and they're incorrectly interpreting you, and make the point that an integral part of the plan is that there is no straitjacket of a fixed date. When Ron went out, the President made the point that Ron does an excellent job in these briefings, and he was particularly pleased with that.

      He hit me on making sure that we don't appoint any more establishment people to any commissions, etcetera. He wants to go for Midwest, Southern and Western people, and not pick up any more Eastern establishment types.

      Later this morning, he had a meeting with Nancy Hanks and Len Garment on the whole culture thing. The President was in great spirits and joking with them on a lot of the culture items. He made the point on the Hershorn that we can't let it go modern, which is a bit of a problem since that's all it is. So he urged Nancy to do the best we can to change it. Then he talked about the need to take Easterners off the Board and put some Midwest and Westerners on. He agreed to do a talk to the Arts Foundation. He got into quite a discussion on the movies, and the need to reverse the antitrust divestiture order and let the producers get a piece of the action.

      He later decided to do the ASNE without television, so as to let the war issue move off of the TV screen for a couple of weeks. He feels he can't avoid a large number of questions on the war, and that the way to solve the problem is just not to put the thing on television. He did agree to permit film. All of this turning out to be basically what Scali was recommending.

      In the afternoon, we went to Good Friday church services at St. John's across from Lafayette Park. All was worked out on the basis of a last minute run, but somehow someone got the word, and when we arrived there were a half a dozen minister-types standing out in front, shouting "Peace Now." The President went in and remained for the twenty minute service, and then as he went out a different door, the demonstrators had gathered there and were chanting again, this time something about Christ died to save men's lives, or something. The President's reaction was, of course, that he would not go to Gettysburg for Easter services, since it had been announced he was going and that would just set-up more demonstrations. So we had to work out a plan for canceling that and setting up an unannounced trip to Thurmont for Easter services. I left for Williamsburg at 4:00. The President left for Camp David at 5:30 to join his family there for the Easter weekend.

      End of April 9.
    • 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.

    Nixon Library 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. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

    • 59. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon, Washington, April 9, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 402, Trade, Volume III 12/70-6/71. Secret. A stamped notation reads: “The President has seen.” Attached to a May 4 memorandum from Kissinger to the President summarizing Laird’s points and noting that Kissinger had sent a brief reply to Laird that indicated that the President’s interest in Laird’s study that would be used as the basis for re-examining military sales policy. On Kissinger’s memorandum to the President, Nixon wrote: “K—I agree totally with Laird’s concern—The foreign service types will of course disagree—I don’t want a leisurely study of this made. I want action—soonest possible to reverse this trend. Inform Connally of my concern. He shares it.” A May 6 memorandum from Haig to Bergsten informed him of the President’s reaction to Laird’s memorandum and asked Bergsten to monitor closely the progress on Laird’s study. (Ibid.) In a May 15 memorandum, Haig also asked Bergsten to provide a memorandum from Kissinger to Connally. (Ibid., Box 226, Department of Defense, Volume XI 2/24/71-5/15/71)

    Trade and Commerce, 1969-1972

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Chinese Representation in the United Nations

    • 344. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, April 9, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1025, Nixon/HAK Memoranda, The President, Kissinger, and Ambassador Chow, April 12, 1971. Secret. Sent for action. The memorandum is stamped “The President has seen.” A covering note in the files suggests that it was drafted by Wright, with the concurrence of Holdridge. (Ibid.) Another copy of the memorandum contains a covering note that reads: “April 12, HAK—Pres. didn’t act on this. Do you want to A. ask him, B. send back?” Kissinger initialed option “A” and wrote “Let me take in to [unreadable] to get signed. HK” (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 300, Agency Files, USUN, 1 January 1971–May 1971, Vol. VI, Part 2)

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    The Consequences of Operation Lan Som 719 and the Search for a Settlement, April 8-October 6, 1971

    • 175. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, April 9, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 121, Vietnam Subject Files, Viet (POW) Jan-Jun 71, Vol. II. Confidential. Sent for action. Astamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.” Holdridge forwarded the memorandum to Kissinger under an April 9 covering memorandum, recommending that he sign it. He noted that the Department of State had prepared the draft statement at his request.

    Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

    • 23. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, April 9, 1971, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–112, SRG Minutes, Originals, 1971. Secret. No drafting information is provided on the minutes. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. According to Kissingerʼs appointment book, the meeting took place from 11:12 a.m. to 12:24 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–1976, Record of Schedule)

    • 24. Memorandum for the Record, Wea, April 9, 1971

      Source: National Security Council Files, 40 Committee, Minutes—1971. Secret; Sensitive.

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China,January-September 1971

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    From Stalemate to Breakthrough, August 24, 1970-May 20, 1971

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    Oceans Policy

    • 388. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of Defense Laird and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, April 9, 1971, 10:57 a.m.

      Laird and Kissinger discussed the influence of private interests in Law of the Sea negotiations and Laird’s concerns about national security. “Bill” refers to Secretary of State Rogers, who attended an Organization of American States meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica, from Tuesday, April 13 through Friday, April 16. Brigadier General Robert Pursley was Military Assistant to the Secretary, Department of Defense.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Transcripts, Chronological File, Box 9, April 8-14, 1971. No classification.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    Guatemala

    • 351. Telegram 60510 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Guatemala, April 9, 1971, 2152Z., April 9, 1971, 2152Z

      In a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Meyer, Guatemalan Ambassador Asensio expressed “his chagrin at unpleasant image of Guatemala being cast these days by American press and, indeed, by U.S. officials.”

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL GUAT. Limited Official Use. Drafted on April 9 by Bell; cleared by Breen, Wiggins, and Hurwitch; and approved by Meyer. In Airgram A–73 from Guatemala City, April 23, the Embassy reported that President Arana faced a dilemma regarding a November 1970 state of siege: “To end the State of Siege without being able to announce a decisive victory against the insurgent Left is politically difficult; to continue under Siege powers for an indefinite period is equally perilous.” (Ibid., POL 15–1 GUAT)

  • 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

Context (External Sources)