February 14, 1971

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

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

The President's day began at 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.

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

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

FOREIGN POLICY 2/14/71 (Annotated)

Citation: FOREIGN POLICY 2/14/71; box 3; White House Central Files: Staff Member and Office Files: Patrick J. Buchanan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA

Consult the full digital folders ([1 of 2] and [2 of 2]) for other briefing materials not in the form of prepared questions and answers.

• Executive Branch Organizational Inconsistencies
  • Why is it that on the domestic side you are proposing the consolidation of certain domestic functions, while at the same time you are splitting up the management of our Foreign Assistance Program?
• DR. KISSINGER AND THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
  • Can you tell us your view on whether Dr. Kissinger should testify before the Foreign Relations Committee, as has been demanded by the leading Democrats on that committee -- including the Chairman?
• U.S. AIR SUPPORT FOR THIEU THREAT
  • With President Thieu's threat, the question of incursions in the North no longer seems a remote one. If the NVA refuses to pull out its troops, and President Thieu makes good on his threat -- will he then get U.S. air support?
• ABSENCE OF OTHER SIDE'S NEGOTIATORS IN PARIS
  • Do you attach any significance to the boycott of today's Paris session by the top North Vietnamese and Viet Cong negotiators? Will our people also pull out?
• U.S. DESIRE FOR "VICTORY" IN INDOCHINA
  • Our recent military action in Laos has raised speculation that we are trying to gain a military buildup in Indochina. Would you please tell us what our objective is in Indochina?
• SYMINGTON
  • Senator Symington has been critical of the power that Dr. Kissinger appears to have, as against the Secretary of State, Mr. Rogers. Do you have any comment on those views, which others have expressed as well?
• "PIPELINE" DECEPTION
  • Why did the Secretary of Defense deceive the press by showing us an example of the Laos pipeline but not tell us where or when it was obtained?
• INCURSIONS INTO THE NORTH?
  • Vice President Ky has indicated that the South Vietnamese armed forces may very well move into North Vietnam itself if that proves necessary. Can you tell us if any such move is contemplated; and if it occurs, would it be given the same United States air support as the present move into Laos?
• PEACE HOPES IN VIETNAM
  • With this military venture into Laos, do you retain any hope at all of a negotiated settlement, or are we looking for a military victory?
• WIDENING THE WAR
  • Through United States military action, as well as support, the war which was once confined to South Vietnam has now been extended to Laos and Cambodia. How do you square this with your professed desire to reduce American involvement in southeast Asia?
• NUMBER OF GROUND COMBAT TROOPS
  • We have been told that by May 1, there will be only 45,000 combat troops in Vietnam. Does tshis mean larger withdrawals between now and May 1?
• CREDIBILITY GAP
  • Do you feel that past statements of yours, about future American support for Vietnamese troops, made June 30 -- and subsequent actions, have created another credibility gap for this Administration, similar to that which damaged the Johnson Administration?
• WHY ATTACK THE HO CHI MINH TRAIL?
  • If the operations in Laos are considered so decisive, why have we delayed cutting the Ho Chi Minh Trail with ground troops until now?
• NORTH VIETNAMESE REACTION IN NORTH LAOS
  • Does it not appear that the operation in Southern Laos may have released a holocaust, since the North Vietnamese are now attacking in Northern Laos?
• U. S. ASSISTANCE IF ARVN IS IN JEOPARDY
  • Assuming the ARVN forces are in grave jeopardy in Laos from enemy attack, is there any possibility that U.S. ground troops will be sent to relieve them?
• U. S. PUBLIC OPINION REACTION ON LAOS
  • Why in your opinion has American public opinion been so muted over this Laotian operation, as compared to the Cambodian one?
• LON NOL'S ILLNESS
  • With Lon Nol now seemingly out of the picture, what does this portend for the future of Cambodian resistance against the North Vietnamese, VC and Khmer Rouge?
• CHINESE REACTION
  • What is the likelihood the Chinese will send troops to Northern Laos to respond to the presence of South Vietnamese forces in Southern Laos?
• REPORTS ON U. S. PERSONNEL IN LAOS
  • You say there are no ground troops or advisers in Laos; yet the wires report some 100 Americans went in to bring out helicopters. Can you tell us just what are the guidelines for American participation in that engagement in Laos?
• LENGTH OF THE LAOS OPERATION
  • How long are Vietnamese ground forces going to remain in Laos?
• ALSOP COLUMN
  • Your Communications Director has mailed out several hundred copies of a Joe Alsop column, praising the Laotian action, which at the same time suggests that some American Senators including Mr. Fulbright, would like to see an American defeat in Vietnam. Do you believe that any American Senator would like to see an American defeat in Asia?
• CONSULTATIONS WITH THE LAOTIAN GOVERNMENT
  • Were we in touch with the Laotian Government before the South Vietnamese launched the recent drive into Laos?
• SS-9 Slowdown
  • How do you assess the apparent slowdown in Soviet construction of SS-9 ICBMs.
• SALT
  • There are reports that the Soviets have stopped building SS-9s and that they have proposed an ABM-only agreement limiting ABMs to Moscow and Washington. Why can't we accept this proposal and match the Soviet slowdown on the SS-9 by not going ahead with the rest of Safeguard?
• SALT
  • There are reports that the Soviets have stopped building SS-9s and that they have proposed an ABM-only agreement limiting ABMs to Moscow and Washington. Why can't we accept this proposal and match the Soviet slowdown on the SS-9 by not going ahead with the rest of Safeguard?
• MIDDLE EAST
  • Can you tell us how President Sadat's proposal for a partial pullback from Suez, and Mrs. Meir's response affect the negotiations under Ambassador Jarring?
• MIDDLE EAST Guarantees
  • Both the President and the Secretary of State have alluded to guarantees for a Mid-East settlement, and the Four Powers are discussing the subject. What is the U.S. position?
• MIDDLE EAST Prospect for Peace Beyond March
  • If there is no progress in the Middle East negotiations, if the talks deadlock by the time the ceasefire expires on March 7, what do you think will then be the chances for peace -- or a big-power confrontation. What will the United States do?
• CUBA - SOVIET NAVAL ACTIVITY
  • A squadron of Soviet vessels, including a subtender, guided missile cruiser and nuclear submarine is visiting Cuba. Is this not a violation of the understanding we have with the Soviet Union with regard to military activity in Cuba?
• SEIZURE OF TUNA BOATS BY ECUADOR
  • What are we doing about the continuing seizure of US fishing boats in international waters off the coast of Ecuador?
• YOUTH AND THE ALL-VOLUNTEER ARMY
  • Considering the lack of enthusiasm among the young for the military, what do you think are the realistic chances for a volunteer military?
• THE EMBARGO
  • Was the news embargo on the early phase of the Laotian operation your idea? What was its purpose? Was it intended to mute domestic criticism?
• U.S. NEWSMEN IN LAOS
  • Why are American newsmen not permitted to fly in American aircraft into Laos to report on the war to the American people?
• POLL ON LAOS
  • Well before the ARVN move into Laos, 46 percent of the American people believed we had ground forces in Laos. Do you think this points to a credibility gap between your Administration and the public?
• U.S. MILITARY ADVISERS IN CAMBODIA
  • News reports from Saigon speak of a Military Equipment Delivery Team being set up to handle the distribution of our military assistance to Cambodia. Will not members of this team in reality be acting as "advisers" to the Cambodian armed forces?
• UN: CHINESE REPRESENTATION
  • What are your views on the possible admission of Communist China to the United Nations?
• FY 1972 DEFENSE PROGRAM
  • Secretary Laird has announced that defense expenditures in FY 1972 will be up above FY 1971. Since we are now withdrawing forces from Asia and reducing our overall force structure, why is this increase necessary?
• ALL-VOLUNTEER ARMY
  • Last week, you sent a message to Congress announcing your intention to end the draft within the next two years. At the same time the Selective Service has increased draft calls to 17,000 men monthly -- about twice the level late last year. Are these two developments really consistent?
• MIDDLE EAST Pressure on Israel
  • Isn't the time coming when the US will have to press Israel to accept the idea of almost total withdrawal from the territories it occupied in 1967? Does the U.S. still favor near-total withdrawal?
• SAFEGUARD
  • What are the Administration's plans for the Safeguard ABM system? Have you held a meeting on this subject recently? Are changes to be expected?
• TRADE LEGISLATION
  • Do you still support the trade legislation you submitted last year? Do you support textile quota legislation? When will the Administration submit a bill to Congress?
• NATIONALIZATION IN CHILE
  • What are we going to do about the Chilean Government's proposed Constitutional amendment providing for nationalization of US copper companies in Chile?
• ECUADOR REQUESTS WITHDRAWAL OF US MILITARY MISSION
  • Would you comment on the expulsion of our military group by the Ecuadorean Government?
• AFRICA: SOUTH AFRICA
  • Do you believe that the British should sell arms to South Africa?
• PUBLIC HANDLING OF LAOS
  • Does the fact that this year's incursion into Laos was handled differently than last year's into Cambodia indicate any feeling on your part that the Cambodian operation was overplayed?
• TAC NUKES
  • There has been increasing talk of the use of 'tactical' nuclear weapons in Vietnam -- the latest from Hans Morgenthau. Is there any possibility?
• INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS IN LAOS
  • When you say that there are no U.S. ground combat troops in Laos, does this include Green Berets carrying out intelligence operations there?
• HELICOPTER LOSSES
  • Why are you not reporting helicopter losses in Laos?
• CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN LAOS
  • Is it likely that the South Vietnamese operation in Laos and our support for this operation will inflict casualties among Lao civilians?
• CASUALTIES IN LAOS
  • Are we trying to cover up the number of our men killed in Laos?
• AIKEN PROPOSAL
  • What is your view of the proposal by Senator Aiken for an Indo-China peace conference, drawing solely on the nations in the area?
• Decision to Support ARVN
  • How did you reach the decision to support the South Vietnamese operation in Laos?
• SALT
  • There are reports that the Soviets have stopped building SS-9s and that they have proposed an ABM-only agreement limiting ABMs to Moscow and Washington. Why can't we accept this proposal and match the Soviet slowdown on the SS-9 by not going ahead with the rest of Safeguard?
• SS-9 Slowdown
  • How do you assess the apparent slowdown in Soviet construction of SS-9 ICBMs.

2/14/71 DOMESTIC BRIEFING BOOK (Annotated)

Citation: 2/14/71 DOMESTIC BRIEFING BOOK; box 3; White House Central Files: Staff Member and Office Files: Patrick J. Buchanan; Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA

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

• WAGE AND PRICE CONTROLS
  • Are you considering wage and price controls in the construction industry?
• WAGE-PRICE FREEZE
  • Are you considering a wage-price freeze in the construction industry?
• SECRETARY STANS
  • Do you have any comment on Secretary Stans holdings in Great Southwest when the Penn Central things was here; did the White House know about these holdings at the time?
• WORSTHORNE
  • Can you tell us why you gave a British journalist an interview, when no American seems to have had a similar opportunity?
• SPLASHDOWN
  • Does the fact that you did not watch the splashdown indicate a lack of enthusiasm for the space program?
• CALIFORNIA LEGAL SERVICE
  • The Administration has let stand Governor Reagan's veto of an OEO grant to California's Rural Legal Services, said to be one of the best in the nation. Can you tell us if that decision was influenced or made by you, or by the White House staff; secondly, if you consider this -- as Governor Reagan seems to -- a victory for him; and third, how you square this decision with your Administration's commitment to the poor?
• BLACK BOYCOTT OF SOTU
  • Twelve black Congressmen refused to attend your State of the Union address, asserting that you refused to meet with them. Will you meet with them, if they request it anew?
• SCHOOL DESEGREGATION
  • Considering Secretary Richardson's statement about the South being more desegregated than the North, can we now expect that the Administration will shift its efforts to the desegregation of schools in Northern cities?
• FORCED INTEGRATION
  • At a previous press conference you indicated you were against "compulsory integration" of the suburbs. Can you tell us what that means, how you feel the impacted ghettoes can be broken up without moving blacks into the suburbs, and whether you support Federal efforts against communities which use zoning and other tactics to prevent blacks from moving in. I refer specifically to the Black Jack, Missouri situation.
• "MOVING LEFT"
  • With your "expansionary budget," your Family Assistance Plan, and now your health program, it is said that the Nixon Administration is "moving left." And many of your erstwhile GOP and conservative supporters are now more hostile to Administration ideas than Democrats. Can you comment on this?
• THE NEW NIXON
  • Last year, as before, you fought for a balanced Federal Budget likening it to a balanced family budget. Now you have an "expansionary deficit." Last year you were whipping the Congress hip and thigh; now there is a new conciliatory posture toward Congress, reflected in your meetings. Can you tell us, sir, if the new attitude means there is a "New Nixon."
• A "NEW AGNEW"
  • You have told us there is no "new Nixon." Can you tell us if there is a "New Agnew." The Vice President the country came to know in 1969 and the fall of 1970 has not been visible of late. Further, will you comment on the rumors that the Vice President may not be on the 1972 ticket -- rumors that seem to be cropping up with frequency in Republican circles?
• RULE XXII
  • Can you tell us how you square your ruling in 1957 and your expressed hope for changes in the Senate rules -- to facilitate legislative activity -- with Vice President Agnew's decision to let the filibuster be used in the current debate on the filibuster.
• SPACE
  • American astronauts have once again visited the moon. Can you tell us what you see for the future of the space program?
• THE SST
  • There was no mention of the SST in the State of the Union. Are you still committed to its development?
• GOOD & BAD DEFICITS
  • Can you tell us why Lyndon Johnson's deficits were bad, and your planned deficits are good for the country?
• RECESSION YEAR
  • Would you call 1970 a recession year?
• "I AM A KEYNESIAN NOW"
  • Can you tell us what you meant when you said, "I am a Keynesian now."
• WHAT ABOUT INFLATION?
  • Conceding that a full unemployment budget, an expansionary deficit, will rev up the economy toward full employment again -- how can that reving up process reduce the inflation currently in the economy, and prevent a new spiral of price raises.
• ECONOMIC FORECAST
  • Many observers think that the economic forecast underlying your Budget and Economic Report is overly-optimistic and creates a credibility gap. Do you have any reason to believe that your forecast is right and almost all private forecasts wrong?
• INFLATION ARRESTED?
  • Do you really think, considering the cost of living index of 1970, that inflation has been arrested?
• JAWBONING
  • You have become increasingly active in trying to hold down particular prices and wages by what used to be called jawboning. How far do you expect to go with this?
• FEDERAL RESERVE
  • In order for the economy to shape up, as you have predicted, the Federal Reserve will have to loosen up considerably. Will it, considering that Dr. Burns says there is enough liquidity now?
• VALUE-ADDED TAX
  • Whether reports we are re-considering VA Tax are true.
• APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION
  • Will it be abolished?
• FUTURE OF OEO
  • Will it be abolished?
• GERALD FORD
  • Is IRS investigating Ford's $11,500 campaign contribution?
• VETERANS HOSPITALS
  • Number of beds in RN budget is reduced.
• WAGE AND PRICE CONTROLS
  • Why RN has not used authority granted by Congress.
• PRESS CONFERENCES
  • Is Ziegler's non-committal response to press suggestions for more conferences, the official response.
• MARIJUANA
  • Any changes, any chance to legalize marijuana after the report of NIMH.
• O'BRIEN'S ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT
  • Under Larry O'Brien's leadership, the seven or eight Democratic hopefuls have agreed to stop criticizing each other and focus strictly on you. Have you any comment?
• MUSKIE 'PEAKING'
  • Do you believe, as some argue, that Senator Muskie has peaked too early?
• BIG ED MUSKIE
  • Can you tell us, considering Senator Muskie's strong standing against you in the national polls, which of the Democratic candidates you think has the most national appeal, would be the hardest to beat?
• "ONE TERM PRESIDENT"
  • Can you comment on the recent speculation that you may be a one-term President?
• EDWARD M. KENNEDY
  • Do you think that Senator Edward Kennedy's defeat for Party Whip has eliminated his chances of being nominated by the Democratic Party?

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

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

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

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

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

• President's Daily Brief of 14 February 1971

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. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

Operational Lam Son 719, February 8-April 7, 1971

• 129. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 14, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 81, Vietnam Subject Files, Viet Operations in Laos and Cambodia, Vol. III. Top Secret; Specat; Exclusively Eyes Only. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads, “The President has seen.”

Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

• 181. Telegram From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, February 14, 1971, 2133Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 714, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XII. Secret.

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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-5672 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5672-01-35, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew attending a party. 2/14/1971, Palm Springs California unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Randy Agnew, Frank Sinatra, Chuck Connors, William Demarest, unidentified men and women.

Roll WHPO-5673 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5673-02A-14A, 19A-21A, Vice President Agnew and Judy Agnew at a party; Frank Sinatra in images 15A-18A. 2/14/1971, Palm Springs California unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Johnny Bench, Frank Sinatra, unidentified guests.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5673-15A-18A, Vice President Agnew with Frank Sinatra. 2/14/1971, Palm Springs California unknown. Spiro Agnew, Judy Agnew, Johnny Bench, Frank Sinatra, unidentified guests.

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-4176
  "Bob Hope Golf Classic" with guest golfer Vice President Agnew.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 00:28:27
• WHCA-4184
  Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:30
  
  8. Newman/Lewis/Brady: The Indochina War including the Laos situation. Time Code Start: 20:55. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  9. Chancellor/Nessen: President Nixon's Valentine's Day and his health plan proposals. Time Code Start: 25:42. Keywords: Presidents, holidays, Family Assistance Programs, health care, health insurance, insurance, benefits, medicine, medical care, hospitals, costs, financial aid, heath care, health insurance. Network: NBC.
  
  10. Mudd/Webster: The Indochina War including the Laos situation. Time Code Start: 27:55. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
• WHCA-4211
  Excerpts From the "NBC Nightly News" Indochina War Coverage, Tape I (Weekly News Summary).
  NBC
  
  35. Newman: Laos war action. Time Code Start: 37:32. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  36. Lewis: South Vietnamese army find 20,000 tons of supplies in Aro Valley. Time Code Start: 38:22. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  37. Brady: U.S. troops at Laotian border shelled by enemy. Time Code Start: 39:40. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  38. Newman: Red China statements on Laotian invasion (People's Republic of China). Time Code Start: 41:49. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, People's Republic of China. Network: NBC.
• WHCA-4246
  NBC News Excerpts: Phil Brady's Indochina Reports [Weekly News Summary]. Phil Brady.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:34:02
  
  8. Brady: U.S. troops at Laotian border shelled by enemy. Time Code Start: 15:17. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

• New York Times of February 14, 1971

• AP Images photos from February 14, 1971
• Getty Images photos from February 14, 1971

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

• February 1971 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• February 14, 1971