Introduction
This almanac page for Monday, January 29, 1973, 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: Sunday, January 28, 1973
Next Date: Tuesday, January 30, 1973
Schedule and Public Documents
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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 Grand Cay, Bahama Islands
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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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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.
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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.
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The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.
Archival Holdings
Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.
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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 & DOMESTIC BRIEFING BOOK January 29, 1973 (Annotated)
Citation: FOREIGN & DOMESTIC BRIEFING BOOK January 29, 1973; box 6; 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.
- WATERGATE
- Now that the Watergate trial is ended, do you think that the public's right to know who financed and ordered the bugging attempt has been satisfied?
- Would you then favor the Ervin investigation to clear this matter up?
- Do you think that Justice should have also investigated the alleged espionage charges made against Segretti?
- If the Ervin Committee calls Mr. Haldeman to testify or other top White House aides, in the alleged espionage matter, will you allow them to do so?
- Now that Mr. Chapin is leaving, can you tell us if there was any involvement on his part with the Segretti matter?
- Did the Dean investigation go into the Segretti matter?
- Why doesn't the White House simply deny Mr. Chapin's involvement with Mr. Segretti, if there was none?
- HAK TRIP TO HANOI Q &A
- What is the purpose of the trip?
- Is this trip related to the current wave of violations of the ceasefire?
- Will US economic aid to North Vietnam be discussed?
- Whom will Dr. Kissinger meet with in Hanoi?
- What do you mean concretely by "more normal" relations? Diplomatic relations?
- Who will accompany Dr. Kissinger?
- What other stops will Dr. Kissinger make?
- Will he go to Saigon, too?
- Does President Thieu approve of this trip?
- GUN CONTROL
- WHAT DID CARPET BOMBING GAIN?
- RN TO MEET PRISONERS?
- AID TO HANOI
- BOMBING & CEASE-FIRE/LAOS AND CAMBODIA
- WILL U.S. GO BACK?
- AMNESTY
- HAK/"PEACE IS AT HAND"
- NVA IN SOUTH VIETNAM
- RUSSIA AND CHINA
- HAK TO HANOI?
- PEACE MOVEMENT
- EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE
- BREZHNEV VISIT
- SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
- SECONDARY
- The North Vietnamese are claiming victory. Is this Agreement just a cover for a US defeat?
- What will we do if President Thieu does not carry out the political provisions of the Agreement?
- Will we keep large numbers of US forces there and offshore?
- Is President Thieu responsible for the three-month delay in completing this Agreement?
- Will we continue military and economic assistance to the Thieu Government?
- Will we try to beat the 60-day deadline for our troop withdrawals?
- What about reports that three of our POW's are held in China? Will they be released?
- Is the US conducting now and/or will it continue to conduct reconnaissance flights over North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia?
- Will we now abandon SEATO?
- Will the Vietnam Ceasefire permit you to cut back on the defense spending level forecast in your FY '74 budget?
- Do you really think Saigon and the Viet Cong can agree on a commission and the rules for an election by which both will abide?
- Do you think that there will be a non-Communist South Vietnam when you leave office four years from now?
- What do you think of Senator Church's reported proposal to enact a resolution or amendment forbidding the United States from ever again entering the conflict in Vietnam?
- Do you honestly believe the men in Hanoi, after all this bloodshed and effort will, with the signing of a piece of paper, give up their dreams of one unified Vietnam under their control?
- If the US Army had difficulty halting and detecting infiltration into the South, how can the ICCS? And if the old ICC was a failure, how can the new ICCS be expected to work?
- CONGRESSIONAL ROLE IN AGREEMENTS
- U.S. RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
- RELATIONS WITH EUROPE
- U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS
- DEFENSE BUDGET
- VIETNAM
- THE GREAT SOCIETY R.I.P.
- When you chop all these Great Society programs down, the problems remain; how do you intend to deal with them? What alternatives will your administration be offering the country?
- Do you think Congress will go along with the cuts?
- There are reports that the Office of Minority Business Enterprise will be expanded and changed, and that the consumer affairs office in the White House will go. Is there any truth to this?
- CONGRESS VS. PRESIDENT
- Can you tell us what you think of the charge that the President has gathered unto himself too much power; and do you think as many suggest, that a constitutional crisis is shaping up between President and Congress over especially war powers and the impoundment of funds?
- You don't think there is a constitutional crisis over war powers and impoundment of funds?
- How do you think you will get on with this Congress?
- Would you say Congress has lost power to the executive in recent years?
- WATERGATE TRIAL & ERVIN INVESTIGATION
- Have you any comment on the revelations to date in the Watergate Trial, specifically to the effect that both Secretary Stans and John Mitchell authorized the payments of funds to Gordon Liddy?
- Have you spoken at all to Dwight Chapin, or H.R. Haldeman about allegations of a political espionage ring -- not necessarily connected with Watergate -- operating against the Democrats in the past election year. Has any investigation of these charges been made by the White House, as was made in the Watergate matter?
- Senator Ervin has indicated that in his investigation of Watergate and alleged acts of sabotage against Democrats, he will subpoena top White House aides. What does the White House think of this investigation, and will the White House Staff co-operate?
- DOMESTIC GOALS
- PRESS RELATIONS
- Do you think the second term will see an easing of Administration attacks upon the national press, such as the Vice President and others engaged in, during the first term?
- There has not been a press conference now for three months; do you believe there will be more in the second term than in the first?
- Do you agree with Mr. Clay Whitehead about "ideological plugola" on the networks, and do you think that local stations should put pressure on the networks with regard to their news coverage.
- How do you feel about a "shield law" protecting reporters from having their notes subpoenaed?
- ECONOMY
- SECONDARY QUESTIONS
- Do you intend to re-appoint FBI Acting Director Gray?
- Can you tell us your view of the Supreme Court decision in effect striking down anti-abortion laws in numerous states and leaving the matter to be decided between a woman and her doctor?
- Can you tell us if you would back a Constitutional amendment to change the abortion ruling; and would you elaborate on your personal views?
- The Equal Rights Amendment for women is in trouble in the State Legislatures. Would you get behind an effort to push for its enactment?
- How do you feel about mandatory death sentences, or mandatory life imprisonment for drug pushers, as some recommend?
- Have you any comment on Senator McGovern's statement that your victory was a tribute to the weariness of the American people with reform and innovation?
- Are you upset that so many of your new Cabinet members have not finally been confirmed?
- How do you feel about Senate approval of the Director of OMB, the head of the Domestic Council and the head of the National Security Council?
- Will there be a State of the Union address delivered to Congress this year?
- VIETNAM
- How long will the U.S. tolerate enemy breaches of ceasefire before it deems the ceasefire to have been deliberately violated?
- Are you satisfied with, or disappointed by the POW list from Hanoi; do we expect a separate list from Laos and when?
- Do we believe that Hanoi can control the Viet Cong, and prevent violations of the creasefire?
- Have we been in contact with Hanoi in the truce violations; have we been in touch wwith Hanoi on the prisoner lists or any dissatisfaction we may have with them?
- WATERGATE
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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.
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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
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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.
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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. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975
Neither War nor Peace, January 27-June 15, 1973
2. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, January 29, 1973, 11:36 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–117, WSAG Meeting Minutes, Originals, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.
Vol. XXXVI, Energy Crisis, 1969-1974
March 16, 1972-March 6, 1973
155. Memorandum From Harold H. Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 29, 1973
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 250, Agency Files, National Energy Office, Vol. I, March 1972–February 1973. Limited Official Use. Sent for information.
156. Memorandum From Philip A. Odeen of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 29, 1973
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 250, Agency Files, National Energy Office, Vol. I, March 1972–February 1973. No classification marking. Concurred in by Hormats and Kennedy.
Vol. E-8, Documents on South Asia, 1973-1976
India-Pakistan 1
104. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, January 29, 1973, 1:15-2:20 p.m.
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Indian Ambassador Jha discussed Indo-U.S. relations on the occasion of Jha’s departure from his post. Much of the conversation also included the relations of India to its regional neighbors in South and Southeast Asia.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1030, Presidential/HAK Memoranda of Conversations, HAK/Amb. Jha and Amb. Kaul of India [2 of 2]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place in Kissinger’s office in the White House.
Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition
Western Europe Regional, 1973-1976
4. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 29, 1973
Summary: Sonnenfeldt provided an analytical summary of the study prepared in response to NSSM 164, United States Relations with Europe.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–66, Meeting Files, SRG Meeting—Europe (NSSM 164). Secret. An unknown hand initialed the memorandum on Sonnenfeldt’s behalf. Attached but not published are Tabs A through F. Tab A is a January 4 memorandum from Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce Lawrence Fox to Hyland; Tab B is a January 11 memorandum from Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Carroll Brunthaver to Sonnenfeldt; Tab C is a January 26 memorandum from Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury John Hart to Kissinger; Tab D is a January 2 memorandum from Assistant Secretary of Defense John Morse to Sonnenfeldt; Tab E is a December 29, 1972 memorandum from Special Assistant to ACDA Director A. M. Christopher to Davis; and Tab F is a CIA memorandum. For NSSM 164, see Document 84, Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XLI, Western Europe; NATO, 1969–1972.
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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
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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-E0122 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-E0122-, Bill Timmons in front of an American flag. 1/29/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. William Timmons.
Roll WHPO-E0123 Photographer: Royer | Color or B&W: B&W
- Frame(s): WHPO-E0123-06-07, Young woman in an office. 1/29/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, unknown room. unidentified woman.
- Frame(s): WHPO-E0123-08-12, Deputy Special Assistant John Nidecker receiving a gift presentation. 1/29/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, unknown room. John E. Nidecker, unidentified men and women.
Roll WHPO-E0132 Photographer: Royer | Color or B&W: Color
- Frame(s): WHPO-E0132-04-16, Caspar Weinberger, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seated in his office. 1/29/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. Caspar Weinberger.
- Frame(s): WHPO-E0132-05, Caspar Weinberger, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seated at a round table reading in his office. 1/29/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. Caspar Weinberger.
- Frame(s): WHPO-E0132-17-19, Unidentified White House secretaries working in an office. 1/29/1973, Washington, D.C. unknown. unidentified women.
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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.
L - White House Press Office Briefings
- WHCA-SR-L-118
Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler. (1/29/1973, 4 Ambassadors Presss Center, Miami, Florida)
Runtime: 35:00:00
Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary
Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
- WHCA-SR-L-118
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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-6075
"Closer Look at '72".
ABC
Runtime: 00:03:44 - WHCA-6082
Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
ALL NETWORKS
Runtime: 01:04:35
11. Reasoner/Koppel/Collins: ceasefire violations (Vietnam). Time Code Start: 25:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: ABC.
12. Reasoner/Kincaid: Last American killed before peace (Vietnam War). Time Code Start: 31:30. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, treaty, treaties, negotiations,. Network: ABC.
13. Reasoner/Bennett: More on the above (Vietnam War). Time Code Start: 33:37. Keywords: Vietnam War. Network: ABC.
14. Reasoner/Kaplow: President Nixon's budget. Time Code Start: 36:29. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, payments. Network: ABC.
15. Reasoner: Commentary on postmarks. Time Code Start: 42:00. Keywords: mail, letters, dates, postal, U.S. Post Office. Network: ABC.
16. Utley/Jones/Nessen: Vietnam news; ceasefire violations (Vietnam). Time Code Start: 43:58. Keywords: Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: NBC.
17. Utley/Delaney: Political squabbles in Vietnam, International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) arrives. Time Code Start: 48:09. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, releases, exchanges, ceasefires, management organizations. Network: NBC.
18. Utley: U.S. planes still bombing Cambodia (Vietnam War). Time Code Start: 52:10. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, military, bombings. Network: NBC.
19. Utley/Neal/Davis: 56 POWs still not accounted for; U.S. troops return, interview with family of Colonel Nolde. Time Code Start: 52:45. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, releases, arrivals, families, interviews. Network: NBC.
20. Utley/Rich: General Giap calls Vietnam war a North Vietnamese victory. Time Code Start: 57:25. Keywords: Vietnam War, military, officials. Network: NBC.
21. Utley/Levine: President Nixon sends budget to Congress. Time Code Start: 59:00. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: NBC.
22. Utley/Stern: Watergate trial nears end, Dwight Chapin leaving White House. Time Code Start: 61:22. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: NBC. - WHCA-6083
Weekly News Summary, Tape III.
ALL NETWORKS
Runtime: 01:04:36
1. Cronkite/Webster: Ceasefire violations abound (Vietnam). Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, ceasefires. Network: CBS.
2. Cronkite/Kalb: State Department reaction to ceasefire violations (Vietnam); International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) having problems. Time Code Start: 02:45. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, releases, exchanges, ceasefires, management organizations. Network: CBS.
3. Cronkite/Threlkeld/Poth: U.S. troops returning to California, 56 POWs not accounted for. Time Code Start: 04:57. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War/Missing in Action, releases. Network: CBS.
4. Cronkite/Herman: President Nixon sends budget to Congress. Time Code Start: 09:15. Keywords: Presidents, House of Representatives, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices. Network: CBS.
5. Cronkite/Schorr: Watergate, Dwight Chapin leaves White House. Time Code Start: 12:01. Keywords: Dirty Tricks, political sabotage, trials, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, Presidential elections, campaigns. Network: CBS.
6. Cronkite: Former President Johnson knew of the Vietnam truce before dying. Time Code Start: 14:12. Keywords: Presidents, death, Vietnam War, ending, peace, treaty, treaties. Network: CBS.
7. Cronkite/Sheahan/Plante: Interview with deserter and Mrs. Nolde (Vietnam War). Time Code Start: 15:07. Keywords: Vietnam Missing in Action, Vietnam War, Armed Forces, military, troops, desertions, families, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV, interviews. Network: CBS.
- WHCA-6075
Context (External Sources)
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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.
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Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.