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December 1, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, December 1, 1972, 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, November 30, 1972

Next Date: Saturday, December 2, 1972

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 Key Biscayne, Florida

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

    All National Archives Units

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

    • 102. Draft Memorandum From Secretary of the Treasury Shultz to President Nixon, Washington, December 1, 1972

      Source: Washington National Records Center, Department of the Treasury, Files of Under Secretary Volcker: FRC 56 79 A 15, IFIs. No classification marking. Drafted by E.J. Finkel. A handwritten note on the memorandum reads: “Discussed in IDA IV mtg w/PAV et al. 12/1.” According to notes by the Deputy to Assistant Treasury Secretary Hennessy, George H. Willis, the December 1 meeting was an internal Treasury meeting attended by Volcker, Hennessy, Finkel, Hirschtritt, and several others. Willis’ notes deal only with the IDA-share issue. (Ibid.)

    Trade and Commerce, 1969-1972

    • 283. Action Memorandum From Robert Hormats, Helmut Sonnenfeldt, and Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 1, 1972

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 322, European Common Market, Volume IV 10/72-7/73. Secret. Attached to an April 30, 1973, memorandum from Scowcroft to Dam. At the top of the page Kissinger wrote: “[illegible] Sonnenfeldt—please explain just what this implies operationally.” Hormats, Sonnenfeldt, and Saunders replied in a January 3, 1973, memorandum. They suggested that Kissinger contact Flanigan to indicate: 1) he agreed the United States must tell the EC, Spain, and Israel it would not accept preferential trade arrangements damaging to its legitimate economic interests, and would demand compensation; 2) the EC, Spain, and Israel might consider the proposed $750 million compensation claim so extreme as to jeopardize the U.S. negotiating position; 3) he agreed that at the onset of Article XXIII consultations Eberle and someone from the State Department should call on the three to explain U.S. objectives; and 4) most importantly, he recommend to Flanigan that the United States not present its views to the EC, Spain, and Israel until the President made his decisions on how he wanted to handle U.S.-European political, economic, and security relationships and relations with Israel. (Ibid.)

    Vol. IX, Vietnam, October 1972-January 1973

    Paris Negotiations Collapse, October 24-December 13, 1972

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Cyprus

    Vol. XXXIII, SALT II, 1972-1980

    SALT II, 1972-1980

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

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: The Olympic Attack and the Anti-Terrorism Initiatives, September−December 1972

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1972

    Iraq 1972

    • 328. Airgram A–6 From the Interests Section in Baghdad to the Department of State, Baghdad, December 1, 1972

      Lowrie offered a tentative political assessment of the situation in Iraq based on secondary sources and the public media.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 IRAQ-US. Confidential. Repeated to Abu Dhabi, Algiers, Amman, Ankara, Beirut, Bonn, Cairo, Dhahran, Jidda, Khartoum, Juwait, London, Manama, Moscow, New Delhi, Oman, Paris, Prague, Rabat, Tehran, Rome, Tripoli, and Tunis. Drafted by Lowrie on December 6; approved by Lowrie. In a letter to Thomas J. Scotes (NEA/ARN), December 18, Lowrie wrote that “it is no exaggeration to say that we are ostracized” by the Iraqis. “The main frustration is therefore, having to rely completely on diplomatic colleagues (of whom only a few are well informed) and the public media.” (NEA/ARN, Office of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq Affairs, Records Relating to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, 1968–72, Lot 75D442, Box 14, POL 17, REPIR, American Personnel, Resumption Consular Relations, 1972)

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972

    • 318. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 1, 1972

      Saunders proposed responses to the issues that Pakistani Ambassador Khan had raised with Kissinger.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 628, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. X, Sept 72–Oct 73. Secret. Sent for action with Kennedy’s concurrence. Kissinger initialed his approval of each of Saunders’ recommendations, with one exception. He did not respond to recommendation b of the second section relating to military supply. Approval of recommendation b for dealing with the issue of military supply was implied in Kissinger’s delegation to Saunders of the responsibility for providing a response to Khan on the issue and in the handwritten note Kissinger added in the margin in approving recommendation a: “But move fast & give Pakistan a break”. As for the recommendation in section 4, Kissinger authorized a letter to be sent to Pakistani President Bhutto rather than an oral response. The memorandum did not have a section 5. In section 6, Kissinger approved of Saunders meeting with Ambassador Khan to discuss the issues dealt with in the memorandum. The draft letter at Tab A and the memorandum dealing with Pakistan’s request for landing rights at Tab B were attached but not published.

    Vol. E-16, Documents on Chile, 1969-1973

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

    • 127. Paper Prepared in the Department of State, Washington, December 1, 1972

      Summary: This paper, titled “Chile Strategy,” examined the overall policies of Allende and the implementation of those programs to date. It argued that U.S. policy should remain static and emphasize the need for appropriate compensation for expropriated U.S. property in the upcoming bilateral negotiations with Chilean officials. The Department also hoped to rally maximum international criticism of Chile’s economic policies.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 776, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. VII. Secret. The paper was drafted on December 1, but no drafters are indicated. Eliot sent this paper to Kissinger under cover of a December 2 memorandum.

  • 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

  • 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-D1042 Photographer: Royer | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D1042-02A-05A, Shots of an empty office. 12/1/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown rooms.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-D1042-07A-13A, Mike Farrell receiving a painting from unidentified persons. 12/1/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown rooms. Farrell, unidentified persons.

    Roll WHPO-D1043 Photographer: Royer | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D1043-, Head and shoulders shots of Judy Cole. 12/1/1972, Washington, D.C. unknown room. Judy Cole.

    Roll WHPO-D1044 Photographer: Royer | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-D1044-, HUD Secretary Romney giving a briefing to, and standing with, a Jaycees group. 12/1/1972, Washington, D.C. room, North Portico steps, White House. George Romney, Jaycees.

  • 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.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-194
      Press briefing by Director George Shultz of the Office of Management and Budget, with Ronald Ziegler. (12/1/1972, Amb Press Center)

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by GET (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-5940
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:32:11

      1. Smith/Burke: Peace negotiations may lead to ceasefire soon. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, ceasefires. Network: ABC.

      2. Smith/Gill: Shultz to be Assistant to President Nixon and Secretary of Treasury. Time Code Start: 02:07. Keywords: Presidents, staff, cabinet, advisors, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs. Network: ABC.

      3. Smith: Commentary on how Congress is to be blamed for increase in presidential power. Time Code Start: 03:56. Keywords: House of Representatives, criticisms. Network: ABC.

      4. Chancellor: ceasefire before Christmas? South Vietnam's President Thieu's emissary meets with Kissinger. Time Code Start: 05:31. Keywords: Vietnam War, ceasefires, officials, meetings. Network: NBC.

      5. Chancellor: "Peace is at Hand" with Kissinger and President Nixon, special report on events in last five weeks since peace announcement. Time Code Start: 07:17. Keywords: Vietnam War, Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations. Network: NBC.

      6. Chancellor/Valeriani: Shultz to stay on; Dole to step down. Time Code Start: 13:32. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, resignations. Network: NBC.

      7. Chancellor/Delaney: Florida to re-institute death penalty. Time Code Start: 15:49. Keywords: courts, laws, voting, jails, penal institutions, incarceration, penitentiary, inmates, capital punishments, death sentences, death penalty. Network: NBC.

      8. Brinkley's Journal: Fishermen and problems at sea with foreign competitors; Voters' problems in Massachusetts. Time Code Start: 17:51. Keywords: Vote, voters, voting, fishing, boats, issues, Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, primaries, voting, registrations. Network: NBC.

      9. Mudd/Kalb: U.S. to sign ceasefire agreement; Kissinger meets South Vietnam's President Thieu's emissary; Vietnam war. Time Code Start: 20:40. Keywords: South Vietnam, Presidents, speeches, statements, Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: CBS.

      10. Mudd/Pierpoint: Shultz to stay at Treasury and is appointed as Special Economic Advisor. Time Code Start: 23:31. Keywords: cabinet, advisors, markets, retail stores, prices, costs, increases, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, appointments, economy, economics, budgets, finances, money, counselors. Network: CBS.

      11. Mudd: Senator Proxmire opposes General Motors (GM) and Ford car price increase. Time Code Start: 25:38. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, auto manufacturers, prices, reports. Network: CBS.

      12. Mudd/Morse/Schayne: Congressional foreign trips. Time Code Start: 27:33. Keywords: House of Representatives, Congressmen, travel, trips. Network: CBS.

      13. Sevareid: Commentary on congressional foreign trips. Time Code Start: 35:59. Keywords: House of Representatives, Congressmen, travel, trips. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)