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May 30, 1973

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, May 30, 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: Tuesday, May 29, 1973

Next Date: Thursday, May 31, 1973

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.

    Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

  • 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 Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

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

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

    Nixon Library Holdings

    All National Archives Units

National Security Documents

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

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. X, Vietnam, January 1973-July 1975

    Neither War nor Peace, January 27-June 15, 1973

    Vol. XVIII, China, 1973-1976

    Kissinger's Visits to Beijing and the Establishment of the Liaison Offices, January 1973-May 1973

    • 34. Memorandum for the President’s File by the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, May 30, 1973, 9:15-9:30 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 94, Country Files, Far East, China Exchanges, May 16-June 13, 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A tape of this conversation, which took place in the Oval Office, is ibid., White House Tapes, Conversation No. 930–7. Nixon saw talking points prepared on May 29 by Kissinger prior to the meeting. (Ibid., NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 94, Country Files, Far East, China Exchanges, May 16-June 13, 1973)

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    "That Chilean Guy May Have Some Problems": The Downfall of Salvador Allende, January-September 1973

    Vol. E-11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973-1976

    Bolivia

    • 63. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 30, 1973

      Summary: Kissinger recommended that Nixon sign letters to Banzer and Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn of Thailand announcing stockpile disposal of 5,000 tons of tin during the first 6 months of FY 1974.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 749, Presidential Correspondence, President Banzer, Bolivia, 1971–1974. Confidential. A stamped note on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Attached at Tab A is an undated draft of a letter from Nixon to Banzer, not published. The final version of the letter, dated June 4, is ibid. Tab C, Banzer’s April 13 letter to Nixon, is Document 61. Tabs B, D, and E are attached but not published.

    Brazil

    • 88. Telegram 3289 From the Embassy in Brazil to the Department of State, Brasília, May 30, 1973, 2015Z

      Summary: Rountree reported on Brazilian internal politics and the good prospects for sustained economic growth. The Ambassador added that while the United States and Brazil had failed to achieve consensus on international commodity agreements and the Law of the Sea, the Brazilian military’s decision to strengthen ties with the United States boded well for future relations.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL BRAZ–US. Confidential. Repeated to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

    Vol. E-15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973-1976, Second, Revised Edition

    Nordic Countries, 1973-1976

    • 181. Memorandum of Conversation, Reykjavik, May 30, 1973, 9:05-9:55 p.m.

      Summary: Nixon, Rogers, Eldjarn, Johannesson, and Agustsson discussed the Western Alliance, Iceland, the UK-Iceland fisheries dispute, and the IDF retention issue.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member & Office Files, President’s Office Files, Memoranda for the President, Box 91, Beginning May 27 (1973). Confidential. The meeting took place in President Eldjarn’s office at the State Council House. In telegram 573 from Reykjavik, May 22, the Embassy assessed the implications of the UK-Iceland fisheries dispute, including the implications for the IDF retention issue. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 33–4 ICE–UK) Nixon, Rogers, and Kissinger were in Reykjavik from May 30 to June 1 to meet with Pompidou and other French officials.

    United Kingdom, 1973-1976

    • 221. Memorandum From the President’s National Security Adviser (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, May 30, 1973

      Summary: Kissinger forwarded Heath’s letter on the proposed British sale of Rolls Royce Spey airplane engines to China.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 764, Presidential Correspondence, United Kingdom, Prime Minister Edward Heath, 1972. Secret. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a June 12 letter to Heath that Nixon signed; and Tab B, an April 25 letter from Heath to Nixon. On June 30, Kissinger spoke to Cromer about the Spey issue. Advising the UK to “stay cool,” Kissinger asserted that after his August trip to China “we can overrule the bureaucracy. Can you wait that long? I’ll talk to the Chinese.” Cromer replied, “Well, I don’t know. I hear rumblings from London that if the reply in COCOM is negative, our people will go ahead anyway.” Kissinger asked Cromer whether he could wait two weeks; Cromer promised to check with London. (Memorandum of conversation, June 30; ibid., NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 64, Country Files, Europe, General, Exchanges with the UK—Other, July 12, 1973 (1 of 3))

  • 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

  • Visit the White House Tapes finding aid to learn about the taping system's operation and archival processing.

    Oval Office

  • 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-E0888 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0888-, President Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Huang Chen, Chief of the People's Republic of China Liaison Office in the U.S. and his interpreter Chi Ch'ao Chu. 5/30/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Huang Chen, Chief of the People's Republic of China Liaison Office in the U.S., Chi Ch'ao Chu, interpreter, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0888-18, President Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Huang Chen, Chief of the People's Republic of China Liaison Office in the U.S. and his interpreter Chi Ch'ao Chu. 5/30/1973, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Huang Chen, Chief of the People's Republic of China Liaison Office in the U.S., Chi Ch'ao Chu, interpreter, Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-E0890 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0890-, Reception for Chinese journalists. 5/30/1973, unknown unknown. People's Republic of China reporters, photographers, members of the press.

    Roll WHPO-E0891 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0891-03-06, Vice President Agnew with Ambassador Zahedi. 5/30/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-E0891-07-21, Vice President Agnew with Dr. Edward Armstrong and art curator Clement Conger. 5/30/1973, Washington, D.C. White House.

  • 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.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-730518
      Photo opportunity with Huang Chen, chief of the People's Republic of China Liaison Office with HAK. (5/30/1973)

      Runtime: 3:13

      Keywords: People's Republic of China, Trips

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

    S - White House Press Office Briefings (continuation of the L-series)

    • WHCA-SR-S-127
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler in Reykjavik, Icleand. (5/30/1973, Hotel Loftheidir, Reykjavik, Iceland)

      Runtime: 12:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media, press secretary

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CBW (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-6321
      "It's Your World".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 00:29:36
    • WHCA-6324
      Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:32:00

      15. Smith/Jarriel: President Nixon meets Peking diplomat Huang Chen, envoy from China; President Nixon and French President Pompidou arrive in Iceland for summit. Time Code Start: 49:15. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, summits, Europe, France, meetings, People's Republic of China, Ambassadors, leaders. Network: ABC.

      16. Smith/Zimmerman: $200,000 paid for La Rue; Ehrlichman versus Cushman. Time Code Start: 53:55. Keywords: advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: ABC.

      17. Smith/Kincaid: POW misconduct. Time Code Start: 56:03. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, crimes. Network: ABC.

      18. Smith: Commentary on capital gain. Time Code Start: 59:36. Keywords: investments, stocks, bonds, real estate, sales, money, profits, assets, income. Network: ABC.

      19. Chancellor/Nessen: Ehrlichman testifies at Watergate hearings; General Cushman also. Time Code Start: 61:15. Keywords: Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals, impeachment, resignations. Network: NBC.

      20. Chancellor/Duke: Logs of democratic wiretapped. Time Code Start: 66:49. Keywords: bugging, bugs, wiretapping, wire taps, surveillance, spying, investigations, recordings. Network: NBC.

      21. Chancellor: Iceland summit meeting; President Nixon meets Chinese Peking diplomat Huang Chen, envoy from China. Time Code Start: 67:57. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, international, summits, Europe, France, meetings, People's Republic of China, Ambassadors, leaders. Network: NBC.

      22. Mudd/Walker: Ehrlichman testifies; Cushman. Time Code Start: 70:59. Keywords: advisors, counsels, attorneys, lawyers, Watergate, Senate committee hearings, investigations, testimony, testify, cover-ups, break-in, burglary, theft, plumbers, scandals. Network: CBS.

      23. Mudd/Schorr: Papers being taken from White House; what President Nixon's administration had in store for us. Time Code Start: 74:06. Keywords: Presidents, documents, letters, writings, libraries, collections. Network: CBS.

      24. Mudd: Iceland summit; President Nixon meets President welcomes Peking diplomat Huang Chen, envoy from China. Time Code Start: 76:12. Keywords: Presidents, People's Republic of China, diplomats, Ambassadors, officials, summits, meetings. Network: CBS.

      25. Mudd/Williams: Colonel Guy accusses POWs of misconduct. Time Code Start: 77:17. Keywords: Vietnam War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, accusations, crimes. Network: CBS.

      26. Severied: Commentary topic will President Nixon testify. Time Code Start: 81:18. Keywords: Presidents,. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)