February 3, 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 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.

• Special Message to the Congress on National Emergency Labor Disputes in the Transportation Industry.

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

• Federal Register of Wednesday, February 3, 1971

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

• House of Representatives: February 3, 1971
• Senate: February 3, 1971
• Extensions of Remarks: February 3, 1971

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 - February 1971 [1 of 2]
• Annotated News Summaries, Box 30, News Summaries - February 1971 [2 of 2] [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.]
• President's Daily Schedule, Box 101, [President's Daily Schedule, Jan.-Feb. 1971] [2 of 3]
  • The President's Schedule, Wednesday - February 3, 1971

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)
  Wednesday, February 3.
  
  The President originally had an NSC meeting scheduled for this morning but canceled it as a result of his long conversation last night with Henry after the "Evening at the White House". Apparently, Henry had become very concerned about the TV news reports regarding the Laos buildup, and especially about Dan Rather reporting that the President had met with the Action group late yesterday afternoon, and that they were trying to persuade him not to go ahead with plans for action. On the basis of that, Henry felt that they probably should cancel the plans and hold up on the Phase II operation.
  
  This-- the President put off a decision on it, though, until this morning and said that he wanted the NSC meeting canceled and, instead, he wanted to meet with Mitchell, Connally, and me to review the bidding. We had that meeting at about 9:30. The President first spent some time with Henry and then called me in before the others arrived and reviewed the bidding on the situation to date, and what he considered the options to be. Henry's argument was that the bureaucracy was so completely out of control that we wouldn't be able to hold them into line if we went ahead and that, therefore, we should do so. By this morning, however, both Henry and the President had pretty much changed their minds and swung back to feeling that we should go ahead with the operation, on the basis that if the President now allowed himself to be talked out of it, in effect by the press reports which had been leaked from State and Defense, that he would lose any hope of controlling the bureaucracy. My argument was that that had some validity, but even more important was the fact that we needed the move in order to ensure our continuing safe withdrawal, and also that I feel strongly that the proposed negatives that the others offer are certainly not assured, and in my view, not even probable. That is, I don't think the reaction in Congress or on the campuses, or in the press, or with the public is going to be nearly as strong or adverse as we are assuming it might be. Mitchell and Connally had pretty much the same views.
  
  Our meeting lasted for two hours, and the President took a great deal of time to lay the case out very succinctly with all of its ramifications, and also had Henry fill in on some of the factors involved. Connally took a very strong position along basically the same lines that I had, arguing that it was well worth taking some risks now, and that we could ride it through, and that we should do so to protect our position next year. The President had outlined that we-- this will be our last chance for any major positive action since we won't be able to do anything after the dry season ends, and next year we won't have enough troops in place to be able to do anything. Mitchell bought this argument too, but didn't like the idea of the argument the President was making of the need to do this in order to maintain his leadership position in the bureaucracy. John felt the decision should not be made on those grounds, and both Connally and I agreed. There was no question within that room, however, that everyone by the end of the meeting felt strongly that we should go ahead with Phase II.
  
  The President had me back in and discussed some more concern on how to get a hold of all this and also some concern on the PR side of it. And he wanted me to work closely with Henry on that. Fortunately, because of the earlier developments, I guess, Henry asked me to attend the WSAG meeting and he also asked Ziegler to attend the first part of it. I tried to leave when Ziegler did, after we had discussed the basic PR plan for the Cambodian operation tonight, and for the removal of the embargo on the Laotian press coverage tomorrow. Ziegler left at that time and so did I, but Henry came up and called me back down to go over the whole scenario for the Laotian operation Sunday night. And I did so and contributed-- participated in all of the PR thinking. As a result of this, the President has concluded that this is probably the best way to handle this thing from now on, that is, for me to sit in all critical meetings, and to force attention and consideration of Congressional and PR factors when they're making the decisions, and force them not to let that kind of decision be made by the Generals and Under Secretaries. I think this will probably work pretty well, and it will, of course, be fascinating to do, as it was to sit in the WSAG meeting today and review the whole scenario for the operation.
  
  After that meeting, the President called me over to the EOB, where he had been working in the afternoon, and I reviewed the bidding with him briefly. Kissinger walked in, in the middle of it, and we discussed it further. The President confirmed that he does want to go ahead and wants Henry to give the execute order.
  
  We had a rather interesting episode as the President's appointment for Dr. Riland came due, and he proceeded to take off his clothes and go into the outer room and have us sit down and continue the discussion with him while Riland wrenched his back and went through his manipulations. Following the Riland treatment and after he had left, the President sat in one of the chairs in his outer office with just his shorts on and pursued the conversation a little further. Then Henry and I left with the understanding that the plan was set and we would go ahead.
  
  End of February 3.
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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Nixon Library Holdings

• Text search for February 3, 1971
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• Text search for February 3, 1971
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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 03 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. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

The Intelligence Community and the White House

• 225. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Administration (Froehlke) to Secretary of Defense Laird, Washington, February 3, 1971

  Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 330 76 197, 350.09 (Jan–Mar) 1971. No classification marking. A notation on the memorandum indicates that Laird saw it.

Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

High-Level Meetings; Miscellaneous Issues

• 33. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State, New York, February 3, 1971, 0106Z

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 300, Agency Files, USUN, Vol. VI. Secret; Priority; Exdis.

Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

Planning and Decisions for Operations in Cambodia and Laos, October 9, 1970-February 7, 1971

• 117. Diary Entry by the White House Chief of Staff (Haldeman), Washington, February 3, 1971

  Source: The Haldeman Diaries: Inside the Nixon White House, the Complete Multimedia Edition.

• 118. Minutes of a Meeting of the Senior Washington Special Actions Group, Washington, February 3, 1971, 2:15 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–115, WSAG Meetings Minutes, Originals, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Situation Room of the White House. According to a chronology attached to a memorandum from Howe to Haig, February 9, the meeting ended at 4:15 p.m. (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 84, Vietnam Subject Files, Special Operations File, Vol. IV) All brackets are in the original with the exception of those indicating omitted material.

• 119. Memorandum for the 40 Committee, Washington, February 3, 1971

  Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, 40 Committee Meetings. Secret; Eyes Only. Coerr forwarded the memorandum to Johnson on February 4, and recommended that he ask at the 40 Committee meeting that day about the risks of press or Congressional detection of the covert assistance, the chances for South Vietnamese legislators if they were not given covert support, and the implications if the legislators whom the United States supported lost their elections. He also recommended that Johnson propose making approval contingent on developments in the next few weeks. On the back of the memorandum is the following undated note: “Karamessines now says: 1. CIA favors and will support in 40. 2. It is a relatively modest plan. 3. CIA believes it can maintain security.” In a February 3 memorandum to Kissinger, Chapin recommended that he ask for Helms’ and Johnson’s assessment of the prospects for the election and Minh’s chances, Helms’ and Packard’s view on how a GVN leadership change would affect current U.S. programs, Helms’ ideas on avoiding detection, everyone’s assessment of telegram 307 (Document 100), and the relative effectiveness of overt and covert actions. (National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Vietnam, 14 Jan 1971–22 Dec 1971)

Vol. XIX, Part 1, Korea, 1969-1972

U.S. Troop Reductions and Related Defense Issues, November 1969-February 1971

• 87. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea, Washington, February 3, 1971, 0125Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 KOR S. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Ranard, cleared in S/S–O, and approved by Green.

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

• 202. Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff, Washington, February 3, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–051, Senior Review Group Meetings, SRG Meeting—Middle East 2–8–71. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders. All brackets are in the original.

Vol. XXXIV, National Security Policy, 1969-1972

The Defense Budget and Safeguard Phase III

• 172. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 3, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–221, NSDM 97. Top Secret. Sent for action. A stamped note on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.” Wayne Smith and Sonnenfeldt sent this memorandum to Kissinger under a covering memorandum, January 29.

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

United Kingdom

• 336. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, February 3, 1971

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 728, Country Files—Europe, United Kingdom, Vol. V. Confidential; Sensitive. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.”

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

International Cooperation in Space, 1969-1972

• 253. Telegram 19915 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Belgium, Washington, February 3, 1971, 0246Z

  The telegram contains a copy of a letter from Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Johnson to ESC Chairman Lefevre asking the Europeans to prepare responses to specific U.S. questions about the Europeans proposed involvement in the post-Apollo program.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, SP 10 US. Immediate; Limited Official Use. Drafted by Baker and Webber on February 3; cleared by S, Intelsat, EUR, E, OTP, L, in substance by Behr and EUR/FBX, and in information by Frutkin; and approved by U. Alexis Johnson.

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

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

• 111. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers, Washington, February 3, 1971

  Kissinger informed Rogers that President Nixon had approved the recommendation that the one-time exception military arms sale to Pakistan be conducted on a cash basis. He also instructed that Pakistan’s credit requirements for non-lethal arms sales be sympathetically considered.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 624, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. III, 1 Oct 70–28 Feb 71. Secret; Exdis. Farland was informed of the President’s decisions on February 5 and instructed to convey them to President Yahya. (Telegram 20428 to Islamabad; ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 PAK)

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.

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-5587 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5587-, President Nixon standing with Dr. John Lungren. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, John Lungren.

Roll WHPO-5588 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5588-, President Nixon shaking hands with Nevada Attorney General Robert List. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Robert List.

Roll WHPO-5589 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5589-, Vice President Agnew addressing Hearst Youth Conference attendees. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. New Senate Office Building. Agnew, unidentified attendees.

Roll WHPO-5590 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5590-, A model boat gifted to the president by another head of state. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown.

Roll WHPO-5591 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5591-, Pat Nixon at a reception for Pakistan Relief. 2/3/1971, Washington, D.C. State Dining Room, Hallway, Blue Room, White House. Pat Nixon, unidentified officials and guests.

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.

C - First Lady

• WHCA-SR-C-059
  Remarks by Pat Nixon to Pakistan Relief Commission in the State Dining Room with Mr. Murphy, Elinor Sullivan and the Pakistani Ambassador. (2/3/1971, State Dining Room)
  
  Runtime: 0:22:07
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by SRJ (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

• WHCA-SR-G-076
  Press briefing by Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson. (2/3/1971, Press Center)
  
  Runtime: 15:00
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JLS (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

H - White House Staff Member Recordings

• WHCA-SR-H-331
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (2/3/1971, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 20:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RSM (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
• WHCA-SR-H-332
  Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (2/3/1971, Press Center, White House)
  
  Runtime: 17:00
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by RSM (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-4146
  "Today" Show excerpt.
  
  Runtime: 00:23:29
• WHCA-4154
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  ALL NETWORKS
  Runtime: 1:00
  
  1. Reasoner/Giggins: Cambodia. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  2. Smith/Jarriel: Laos (Klein). Time Code Start: 03:20. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  3. Smith: Commentary on Laotians. Time Code Start: 06:27. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
  
  4. Chancellor/Goralski/KaplowithDuke/Valeriani: Laos. Time Code Start: 08:20. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.
  
  5. Cronkite/Rather/Kalb: Laos and Cambodia. Time Code Start: 13:45. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: CBS.
• WHCA-4211
  Excerpts From the "NBC Nightly News" Indochina War Coverage, Tape I (Weekly News Summary).
  NBC
  
  4. Chancellor: News embargo on, rumors fly. Time Code Start: 05:05. Keywords: media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV , news programs, embargoes. Network: NBC.
  
  5. Goralsky: Situation at Pentagon, on Laos invasion. Time Code Start: 05:56. Keywords: Laos, Vietnam War, United States Department of Defense headquarters, Armed Forces,. Network: NBC.
  
  6. Kaplow: No work from White House on invasion; reactions to news blackout [?]. Time Code Start: 07:00. Keywords: media, newspapers, magazines, the press, publications, television, TV. Network: NBC.
  
  7. Duke: Call from Congress for information. Time Code Start: 07:50. Keywords: House of Representatives, requests. Network: NBC.
  
  8. Valariani: State Department will not comment during news embargo. Time Code Start: 08:54. Keywords: media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV , news programs, embargoes. Network: NBC.
  
  9. Chancellor: Other war action in Laos & Cambodia. Time Code Start: 09:58. Keywords: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam War. Network: NBC.

• New York Times of February 3, 1971

• AP Images photos from February 3, 1971
• Getty Images photos from February 3, 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 3, 1971