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February 20, 1969

Introduction

This almanac page for Thursday, February 20, 1969, 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: Wednesday, February 19, 1969

Next Date: Friday, February 21, 1969

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.

    Announcements

    • Foreign Air Carrier Permit (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 292, February 20, 1969)
      Announcement of the President's Approval of the Civil Aeronautics Board's Action Amending the Permit Held by Aerolineas Argentinas.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Department of Commerce (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 289, February 20, 1969)
      Announcement of Intention To Appoint Seven Key Officials.

    Congress, Communications to

    • Commodity Credit Corporation (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 290, February 20, 1969)
      Announcement of Request for Supplemental Appropriation.
    • Electoral Reform (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 290, February 20, 1969)
      The President's Message to the Congress.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    • Oil Import Policies (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 292, February 20, 1969)
      The President's Memorandum to the Secretary of the Interior Reassuming Responsibility for the Policies.

    Proclamations

    • Red Cross Month, 1969 (5 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 302, February 20, 1969)
      Proclamation 3894. Dated February 20, 1969. Released February 21, 1969.

    Checklist of White House Press Releases

    The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

    • Biography of Kenneth N. Davis, Jr.
    • Biography of Robert A. Podesta.
    • Biography of James T. Lynn.
    • Biography of Andrew Edward Gibson.
    • Biography of C. Langhorne Washburn.
    • Biography of G. Fred Steele, Jr.
    • Biography of William D. Brewer.
    • Biography of Walter H. Annenberg.
    • Biography of Jacob D. Beam.
    • Biography of John S. D. Eisenhower.
    • Announcement of nomination of Rear Adm. Edwin B. Hooper, USN, for appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as Navy Member, Joint Logistic Review Board.
    • Announcement of nominations of Lt. Gen. Ferdinand J. Chesarek, USA, for appointment to the grade of general and for assignment as Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command, and of Maj. Gen. William E. DePuy, USA, for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general and assignment as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army, and of Lt. Gen. Harry J. Lemley, Jr., USA, for assignment as Senior United States Army Member, Military Staff Committee. United Nations.
    • Press conference of Secretary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans.
    • Biography of Hilary Joseph Sandoval, Jr.
    • Biography of James F. Battin.
    • Biography of Mrs. Jean Picker.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • General David Burchinall, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Forces in Europe, called on the President at the White House.
    • The President has announced his intention to nominate Walter H. Annenberg as Ambassador to Great Britain, Ambassador Jacob D. Beam as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, and John S. D. Eisenhower as Ambassador to Belgium.
    • The President intends to appoint Hilary Joseph Sandoval, Jr., to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
    • The President intends to nominate James F. Battin to be United States District Judge for the district of Montana.
    • The President will appoint Mrs. Jean Picker as Representative of the United States on the Social Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
    • Governor Averell Harriman met with the President at the White House for a discussion of the President's forthcoming European trip and the Paris peace talks.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • EUGENE T. ROSSIDES, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
    • LAWRENCE M. Cox, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
    • SECOR D. BROWNE, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation.
    • FRANCIS C. TURNER, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.
    • HILARY J. SANDOVAL, of Texas, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
    • JAMES F. BATTIN, of Montana, to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana, vice William J. Jameson.
    • WALTER H. ANNENBERG, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Great Britain.
    • JACOB D. BEAM, of New Jersey, a Foreign Service Officer of the Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    • JOHN S. D. EISENHOWER, of Pennsylvania, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belgium.
    • DONALD L. JACKSON, of California, to be an Interstate Commerce Commissioner for the remainder of the term expiring December 31, 1973, vice Grant E. Syphers, deceased.
    • LT. GEN. HARRY JACOB LEMLEY, Junior, 019756, Army of the United States (major general, United States Army), for appointment as Senior United States Army Member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations, under the provisions of title 10, United States Code, section 711.
    • The following-named officers under the provisions of title 10, United States Code, section 3066, to be assigned to positions of importance and responsibility designated by the President under subsection (a) of section 3066, in grades as follows: To be General: LT. GEN. FERDINAND JOSEPH CHESAREK, 021177, Army of the United States (major general, United States Army). To be Lieutenant General: MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM EUGENE DEPUY, 034710, Army of the United States (brigadier general, United States Army).
    • Having designated Rear Adm. Edwin B. Hooper, U.S. Navy, for commands and other duties determined by the President to be within the contemplation of Title 10, United States Code, Section 5231, I nominate him for appointment to the grade of vice admiral while so serving.

  • 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.

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

Archival Holdings

  • 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 Handwriting, Box 1, President's Handwriting, February 1969
      • Memo; Herb Klein to The President re: Report on major releases program from various departments and agencies during the week of Feb. 23 through March 3. February 20, 1969. 3 pgs.
      • Memo; Marguerite Mondlock(DH) to John Brown III re: Summary of Mail Trends February 13-16, 1969 (includes telegrams). February 20, 1969. 2 pgs.
      • Memo; Daniel P. Moynihan to The President re: Editorials. February 20, 1969. 2 pgs.
      • Newspaper;  Evening Star editorial, Nixon on Poverty. February 20, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Newspaper;  New York Times editorial, The Poverty Message. February 20, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Newspaper;  Washington Post editorial, OEO: Moving the Furniture. February 20, 1969. 1 pgs.
    • President's Meetings File, Box 73, Memoranda for the President--Beginning February 16, 1969
      • Memo; James D. Hughes to The President's File re: Meeting with General David Burchinal. February 20, 1969. 1 pg.
      • Memo; Alexander P. Butterfield to The President's File re: Mid-morning Meeting in the President's Office with Secretary Stans and Newly Appointed Key Members of His Commerce Staff (10:25-10:35 a.m.), incl. attachment. February 20, 1969. 2 pgs.
      • Memo; Alexander P. Butterfield to The President's File re: Noon meeting in the President's office with Secretary Romney (11:50 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.). February 20, 1969. 3 pgs.
      • Memo; Paul W. McCracken to The President's File re: Briefing by Secretary Kennedy and Treasury Department officials, incl. attachment. February 20, 1969. 2 pgs.

  • Selective document listing

    White House Press Office

    The White House Press Office during the Presidency of Richard Nixon was responsible for daily communication with the White House press corps. Ronald L. Ziegler was the Press Secretary to the President for Nixon's entire term in office from January 1969 to August 1974 and Gerald Warren served as the Deputy Press Secretary. The office held daily briefings for the press and produced the White House’s press releases. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • White House Press Conferences, Box 56
      • News Conference #57 at the White House with Ron Ziegler, Press Secretary to the President, and Joe Laitin, Bureau of the Budget, February 20, 1969, 11:14 A.M. EST. 5 pgs.
      • News Conference #58 at the White House with Ron Ziegler, Press Secretary to the President, and Richard T. Burress, Deputy Counsel to the President, February 20, 1969, 4:20 P.M. EST. 9 pgs.

  • 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.

    • President's Daily Brief of 20 February 1969 [consult link for visuals and extent of redactions]
      The President's Daily Brief

      20 February 1969
      19
      Top Secret

      21 February 1969

      LATE NOTES FOR THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF OF
      20 FEBRUARY 1969

      I. MAJOR PROBLEMS

      MIDDLE EAST
      [redacted]

      French UN delegate Berard yesterday confirmed to Ambassador Yost that Paris was opposed to using the four-power talks merely as a device to revitalize the Jarring mission. He said the French believe that the four powers should get into substance, that "public opinion" would conclude the talks were not worthwhile if they were confined to a restatement of previous positions. Berard also said Paris attached great importance to President Nixon's upcoming talks with De Gaulle, which will offer a further opportunity to clear up "misconceptions" about the French attitude. [redacted]

      EUROPE
      In Bonn's initial reaction to Moscow's announcement of the military exercises to be staged in East Germany in early March, a spokesman confined himself to a terse statement that West Germany "is not surprised." [redacted]

      SOVIET AFFAIRS
      There is nothing significant to report.

      VIETNAM
      [redacted]

      II. OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS

      COMMUNIST CHINA 50X1
      The embassy in Warsaw suspects that, barring the development of a critical new situation which the Chinese might feel calls for special contact, there will be a prolonged suspension of the Warsaw meetings. The Chinese told a British correspondent Thursday that they had no present plans for resuming the talks. [redacted]

      I. MAJOR PROBLEMS

      MIDDLE EAST
      There is nothing of significance to report.

      EUROPE
      [redacted]

      Herve Alphand told Ambassador Shriver on Tuesday that the British wanted to "paint the French into a corner and isolate them within Europe" and admitted that London had succeeded.

      French statements following the cabinet meeting on Wednesday suggest that De Gaulle principally wants to prevent any further coalescence around the British and does not at this point wish to let the crisis develop further. At the same time, in confirming France's boycott of WEU Council sessions. Paris has taken a hard position from which it may be difficult to retreat. The French say they will stay away until all WEU members
      agree to institute political consultations only on the basis of unanimity.

      * * *

      [redacted]

      * * *

      The Annex today deals with the European Communities and European unity.

      SOVIET AFFAIRS
      The Berlin scene remained quiet today except for another temporary slowdown in traffic early in the day.

      The Eastern Europeans, through various nongovernment contacts, are continuing their efforts to reassure us that no Berlin "crisis" is imminent and that Moscow will not tolerate any "nonsense" from the East Germans.

      VIETNAM
      [redacted]

      II. OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS

      NIGERIA
      Federal leader Gowon has made his first visit to a front line divisional command headquarters, probably to try to ensure some coordination by Lagos of the three federal divisions and to shore up sinking morale among the troops. The division [redacted] that the federal failure to launch a coordinated attack on the Biafrans resulted from a lack of direction from Lagos.

      [redacted] morale has seriously deteriorated among federal forces and desertions and self-inflicted wounds are on the increase. There is also evidently some dissension among the three division commanders.

      USSR-PERU
      The recent Soviet-Peruvian trade agreement fails to live up to Lima's expectations in that it does not include any specific trade goals. The Soviet delegation told the Peruvians that it was not authorized to discuss any significant expansion of trade or conclude any agreements for technical assistance or for commercial credits. This strongly suggests that while Moscow is willing to lay the groundwork for closer economic relations, it still wants a better idea of the Velasco government's policies before undertaking any major commitments.

      ANNEX

      THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND EUROPEAN UNITY
      The European Communities--the European Economic Community (EEC), the Coal-Steel Community (ECSC), and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM)--are still in the throes pf becoming a full-fledged economic union. They are a long way from realizing their original intention of evolving into a political union. The progress made so far has given the six members a strong vested interest in continuing the integration process. If they are blocked at the present stage of development, and membership, however, the Communities would hold little promise of evolving into a valid "partner" of the US. Moreover, unless effective "European" institutions emerge, the member states will be tempted either to "go their own ways," or the stronger among them--France or West Germany--will seek to dominate the grouping.

      * * *

      Over the past decade, the Community has made remarkable economic progress, as a 56 percent growth in GNP between 1958 and 1967 indicates. (The comparable figures for the US and the UK were 51 percent and 35 percent, respectively.) The Community has experienced a decade of expand1.ng industrial output and generally high employment. Farm output, moreover, is 29 percent greater than in 1958, the unit size of farms is increasing, and 500,000 persons are leaving agriculture every year. In 1968 the customs union was completed--18 months earlier than provided for in the Rome Treaty; the free movement of workers, with social security benefits and protection, was assured; agreements were reached benefiting transport and agricultural workers; and the Community advanced toward the goal of a common commercial policy at the end of the transition period in 1970.

      These achievements seem less impressive when compared with the remaining obstacles to full realization of economic and political union. Despite the basically favorable farm trends noted above, the EEC's farm policy poses serious difficulties for world agricultural trade and continues to confront the Community with its gravest internal problem. Support prices--set at high levels in large part because of pressure from German farm interests--have led to mounting surpluses in grain, dairy products, fruits and sugar. These surpluses generate pressures for increased protection against imports and subsidies for exports. The enormous burden of financing and marketing these surpluses has led to increasing friction among the members, especially France and West Germany. Paris, more and more frequently, is recalling that the initial "bargain" underlying the Common Market--expansion of the market for German industry in return for guaranteed outlets for French agriculture--will be jeopardized should Bonn balk at making continued high payments to the common farm fund. Ironically, however, it is France which, because of the political implications, resists giving the community sufficient tax resources to finance the fund; Paris knows the other five would insist that the European Parliament be given real powers over the management and disposition of these "European" revenues.

      In 1969 the Community will have to negotiate a new financing arrangement for the post-1970 era. The disputes will be stormy. Since "constitutional" questions are involved, the outcome will have implications for the Community's political development going far beyond the issues of agricultural policy. The financing question is already bound up with the Commission's proposals for land reform, which aims at radically fewer farmers and bigger farms. The Commission argues that such a reform is the only escape from the exorbitant burden imposed by the present agricultural policy. Commissioner Mansholt--perhaps the most ardent "European" in the Commission as well as its agricultural czar--wants to bring Community agriculture into equilibrium by 1980. The proposed reforms would involve dangers for US exports, but Mansholt is seeking US understanding for his proposals, contending that without them, the US and other outside suppliers of the Community will eventually have even more problems in selling in the Community market.

      The same strains which are evident in the debate over agricultural policy pervade almost all areas of Community activity. The competition between national and Community solutions to common problems runs through discussions of economic and financial policy coordination, nuclear and technological development, commercial policy, and social affairs. Opposition by the French to community solutions is reflected in their dislike of a strong Commission, their scorn for the principle of majority voting, and their resistance to any meaningful role for the European Parliament. They are not alone, however, in seeking national solutions and insisting on getting a fair return for the money they contribute. The work currently being done on technological cooperation among the Six, for example, does not point toward an integrated approach.

      The Commission in its recent annual report assigned prime responsibility for the Community's malaise to the failure to open negotiations with Britain and the other candidates for membership, noting that "one member" blocked these negotiations. This is not the first time the Commission has pointed a finger at France, and it has taken action against Paris when infractions of community regulations were clear. On balance, however, the Commission's performance under President Jean Rey has been an uninspired and cautious one. This is in large part a result of the 1965 crisis when France sought by boycotting the Community's institutions to reduce the Commission's powers to those of a secretariat. In consequence the Commission--with the notable and vocal exception of Mansholt--is doubly eager to avert another great crisis which might destroy the Community as the focus of European unity.

      Other and equally convinced Europeanists believe, however, that a flanking strategy is necessary in order to uphold the larger goal of political unity during this period when Britain's exclusion has in any event slowed the Community's development. Hence the various Benelux and Italian plans to maintain and expand contacts with Britain--with or without French participation. With the German proposals for "commercial arrangements" between Britain and the community coming to nothing, the British have eagerly backed Italian Foreign Minister Nenni's proposal for using the Western European Union (WEU) as a point of increased contact between Britain and the Continent. London has also seized on the opportunity provided by the Italian proposal to call for political talks on a subject--the Middle East--in which London has a natural leadership role. France's boycott of WEU until further notice is basically a reaction to London's success in thus acquiring some European credentials, rather than to the alleged illegality of the WEU meetings. Should the French be unable to prevent continuation of these discussions, another Community crisis may be in the offing. An all-important difference, however, between the present situation and 1965 is the active presence of the British in the game. A repetition of overt French attacks on the Community might well encourage just the kind of solidarity between the Five and the British which Paris seeks to avoid. As always, the important swing vote belongs to the Germans, and Kiesinger has up to now refused to cast it against De Gaulle.

  • 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

    • 2. Memorandum From Secretary of the Treasury Kennedy to President Nixon, Washington, February 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 289, Treasury Volume I. Confidential. Forwarded to the President under cover of a February 20 memorandum from Kissinger reminding the President that Treasury Secretary Kennedy had already raised this issue with him and he had indicated his assent. Kissinger noted that both bills moved in the “desired direction of channeling our foreign aid through multilateral agencies” and warranted the President’s approval, although action on the ADB Special Fund could be delayed until after the NSC review (see Document 1). Kennedy’s memorandum was returned to Kissinger under cover of a March 3 memorandum from Kenneth Cole indicating the President had approved the IDA proposal and was not opposed to the ADB proposal but thought a firm commitment at that time would be premature. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials Project, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 289, Treasury Volume I) Bergsten informed Secretary Kennedy’s office of the President’s decision on March 3. (Ibid.)

    Vol. XXIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1969-1972

    The Rogers Plan

    • 8. Paper Prepared by the Interdepartmental Group for Near East and South Asia , Washington, February 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–135, National Security Study Memoranda, NSSM 17. Secret; Exdis. In a February 20 memorandum sent separately to Kissinger, Sisco explained that this paper incorporated revisions that had been agreed upon at the Review Group meeting on February 18. (Ibid.) No minutes of the Review Group meeting have been found.

    Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

    Parity, Safeguard, and the SS-9 Controversy

    • 9. National Security Study Memorandum 23 , Washington, February 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs, Nos. 1–42. Secret. Copies were sent to Agnew, Rogers, Wheeler, Helms, Lincoln, and Robert Mayo.

    • 10. National Security Study Memorandum 24 , Washington, February 20, 1969

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs, Nos. 1–42. Secret.

    Vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969-1972

    Western Europe Region and NATO

    Spain

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

    • 283. National Security Study Memorandum 25 , Washington, February 20, 1969

      Per Kissinger’s suggestion (Document 282), the President directed a study be prepared on the relationship of the Australian excavation project to the LTBT.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs (1–42). Secret.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

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

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 9. Intelligence Note No. 117 From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hughes) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, February 20, 1969

      INR assessed the situation in Pakistan, where rioting by mobs in the streets created “chaos, in many places approaching anarchy.” Pakistani President Ayub Khan’s attempt to foster a compromise with the opposition through a round table conference had apparently collapsed.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 23–8 PAK. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. Telegraphic reports of riots and demonstrations are ibid. Student supporters of former Foreign Minister Zulfiqur Ali Bhutto rioted in Karachi on February 17 following his release from prison. (Telegram 512 from Karachi, February 18; ibid.) The release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from prison on February 22 had the effect of calming passions in East Pakistan and opened the prospect of reviving the round table conference. (Telegram 697 from Dacca, February 22; ibid., POL 29 PAK) President Ayub Khan’s announcement on February 21 that he would not be a candidate in the next election also facilitated the revival of negotiations with his political opponents. (Telegram 1832 from Rawalpindi, February 21; ibid., POL 15–1 PAK) The round table conference convened in Rawalpindi on February 26, and Ayub accepted demands for direct elections and a parliamentary system, but negotiations collapsed on March 13 following the withdrawal of Mujibur Rahman over the issue of autonomy for East Pakistan. Telegraphic reports on the round table conference are ibid., POL 12 PAK and POL 23–8 PAK.

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

    Haiti

    • 380. Intelligence Memorandum, OCI No. 0558/69, Washington, February 20, 1969. , Washington, February 20, 1969

      CIA provided an assessment of Haiti’s security apparatus and their potential for controlling events in the event of President Duvalier’s demise.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 785, Country Files, Latin America, Haiti, Vol. I. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Prepared in the Office of Current Intelligence and coordinated with the Office of National Estimates and the Clandestine Services, Central Intelligence Agency.

    Panama

    • 519. Memorandum From the Acting Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Walsh) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, February 20, 1969. , Washington, February 20, 1969

      If Ambassador Aleman raised the question of treaty negotiations, the Department of State suggested that President Nixon tell him that it would be difficult for the United States and Panama to discuss new treaties until Panama returned to constitutional government.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 17–1 PAN–US. Confidential. Drafted by Parker. JW Davis signed above John Walsh’s typeset signature. Also enclosed but not published is a biographical sketch of Aleman. No memorandum of their conversation has been found, but according to the President’s Daily Diary, the President, Mosbacher, Vaky, and Aleman met on February 21 from 10:04 to 10:16 a.m. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)

  • 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.

    Folder February 12-22, 1969

    • 12:05 PM, Archbishop Cooke; Mr. Kissinger
    • 12:20 PM, Professor Doty; Mr. Kissinger
    • 4:00 PM, Secy Rogers; Mr. Kissinger
    • 5:00 PM, Secy Laird; Mr. Kissinger
    • 5:35 PM, Amb. Lucet; Mr. Kissinger
    • 6:55 PM, Gerard Smith; Mr. Kissinger
    • 7:15 PM, Mr. Elliot Richardson; Mr. Kissinger
    • 7:25 PM, Secy Rogers; Mr. Kissinger
    • 7:45 PM, Minister Tompkins (UK); Mr. Kissinger

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-0327 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0327-02-31 No negatives - contact sheet only., The White House and landscape, blanketed in winter snow. Exterior only. Written on black and white contact sheet: Changed to F792. Moved to Permanent File. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House Grounds. none.

    Roll WHPO-0328 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0328-06A-14A, Special Assistant to the President Robert Brown, meeting with a delegation from Alabama. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. Robert Brown, unidentified members of the Alabama delegation.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0328-15A-17A, Special Assistant to the President Robert Brown, with a delegation from Alabama. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. Robert Brown, unidentified members of the Alabama delegation.

    Roll WHPO-0329 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0329-03A, A member of a delegation from Alabama, in the office of Special Assistant to the President Robert Brown. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. Robert Brown, unidentified members of the Alabama delegation.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0329-04A-05, Special Assistant to the President Robert Brown receiving a document from an official during his meeting with a delegation from Alabama. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. Robert Brown, unidentified members of the Alabama delegation.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0329-06A-33A, Special Assistant to the President Robert Brown speaking individually with each member of a delegation from Alabama. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. Robert Brown, unidentified members of the Alabama delegation.

    Roll WHPO-0331 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0331-00A-05A, 15A-16A, President Nixon standing in the Oval Office with the Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans, as Stans introduces the new Department of Commerce appointees; Rocco Siciliano, James Lynn, Kenneth Davis, Robert Podesta, Andrew Gibson, C. Langhorne Washburn, W. Donald Brewer, J. Fred Steele. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Maurice Stans, Rocco Siciliano, James Lynn, Kenneth Davis, Robert Podesta, Andrew Gibson, C. Langhorne Washburn, W. Donald Brewer, J. Fred Steele.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0331-06A-14A, President Nixon shaking hands individually with a new Commerce Dept. appointee. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Rocco Siciliano, James Lynn, Kenneth Davis, Robert Podesta, Andrew Gibson, C. Langhorne Washburn, W. Donald Brewer, J. Fred Steele.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0331-08A, President Nixon shaking hands with Robert Podesta, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Robert Podesta.

    Roll WHPO-0332 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0332-01-04, President Nixon meeting in the Oval Office with W. Averell Harriman, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (awarded on January 20, 1969) and a member of the American delegation to the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session on Disarmament. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Averell Harriman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-0332-05-06, President Nixon meeting with W. Averell Harriman, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (awarded on January 20, 1969) and a member of the American delegation to the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session on Disarmament. Press Corps photographers taking their photos in the foreground. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William Averell Harriman, White House Press Corps photographers.

    Roll WHPO-0333 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-0333-03-08, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew during a casual meeting in the Oval office, sitting on opposite sofas. 2/20/1969, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Spiro T. Agnew.

  • 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-005
      Remarks to the press by Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans. (2/20/1969, Roosevelt Room, The White House)

      Runtime: 5:00

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by NBC No WHCA engineer initials listed

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-690222
      Remarks by President Nixon in filmed statement for Red Cross. (2/20/1969)

      Runtime: 0:48

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

Context (External Sources)