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October 16, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, October 16, 1970, 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: Thursday, October 15, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, October 17, 1970

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.

Appointments and Nominations

Proclamations

Acts Approved by the President

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.

  • Bishop James E. Walsh, recently released following 12 years imprisonment in Red China, met with the President in his office at the White House.
  • The White House announced that the President will host a black tie dinner on October 24 for 40 chiefs of state and heads of government who are visiting the United States for the observance of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations. The President will also meet individually with the following leaders on the dates specified: Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma of Laos on October 21; Prime Minister Eisaku Sato of Japan on October 24; Archbishop Makarios, Prime Minister of Cyprus, President Yahya Khan of Pakistan, President Demetrio B. Lakas of Panama, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, Prime Minister C. K. Yen of Taiwan, and Chief of State Cheng Heng of Cambodia on October 25. On October 26, the President will greet and host a dinner for President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania. He also hopes to meet with President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia at a time to be announced.
  • On November 5, the President will host a dinner for the Earl Mountbatten of Burma, who will be in this country to confer with the American and Canadian Committees on United World Colleges in connection with the establishment of an international secondary school in Canada.
  • The President will meet with six members of the Business Council at the White House on October 18.
  • The President today announced the appointment of Louis R. Barba as a member of the Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
  • The President today announced the appointment of Meredith J. Long as a member of the Advisory Committee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
  • The President today announced the retirement of Stanley N. Barnes as United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, effective close of business October 31, 1970.

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.

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.

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 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)
    Friday, October 16.

    A ghastly day, as President had no schedule, except one appointment with Bishop Walsh, so he could work on his campaign speeches. Instead he spent most of the day calling me in or calling me on the phone.

    In between those, I had Harlow calling from Florida regarding VP's anger at Finch and the swing at him in press conference because Finch was quoted as saying VP did not represent Administration view in his statements in New York about Goodell. Then Finch came in to worry about it from the other side, along with California troubles, etc. Then Kissinger came in distraught because Defense had announced the Soviet sub tender was back in a Cuban port. Then Ehrlichman kept tugging regarding need to see President and get odds and ends cleared up. Then Moynihan called about to depart for Europe and disturbed regarding quotation of his off-record remarks regarding VP and Scranton Commission. Then Chapin was in and out with all kinds of trip problems as the schedule changes. (George Shultz apparently had no problems at all today.) All this with phone or buzzer from President constantly interrupting.

    President was worried about news report that VP was cooling down his campaign, but this was just a joke. He kept pushing for more material for campaign and finally did a series of tapes for radio of his arrival statements endorsing the candidates. Told Kissinger and me not to send in anything from now on that's not necessary to know or act on before the election. Wants to
    concentrate.

    Came up with idea of Agnew TV half hour Saturday before election; and idea of film deal preceding his election eve TV - recapping first two years.

    A long series of discussions regarding guidance sheet for Ziegler on answer to question regarding Buckley/Goodell. Then the question wasn't asked.

    Big excitement this afternoon as Kent State grand jury indicted 25 students and no National Guard. Totally refutes Scranton conclusion. President comes up with all kinds of ideas for follow-through, with candidates, etc. New way to attack those who took students' side, etc. Kept calling at home regarding new ideas. Taft came out just right on it. Now can use to hit Teddy.

    Obviously President is really geared up to hit the trail - I just hope we've taken the right course because he's really committed now. If the general view that voters are really confused and seeking direction this year proves to be right, our tour may make the difference. But most of our candidates have a long way to go.
  • Handwritten diary entry (JPG)

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. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

Vol. XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

"A Moment of Unusual Uncertainty": Meeting Between Nixon and Gromyko, October 12-December 31, 1970

Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

Two Tracks: U.S. Intervention in the Confirmation of the Chilean President, September 5-November 4, 1970

  • 154. Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to the Station in Chile, Washington, October 16, 1970, 1408Z

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Chile–ITT–CIA 1963–1977, Lot 81D121, Chile–CIA 1970. Secret; Immediate; Eyes Only. Drafted by Broe; authenticated by Phillips. The telegram is printed from a previously redacted copy; the original was not found.

  • 155. Paper Prepared in the Department of State, Washington, October 16, 1970

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15 CHILE. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. The paper was prepared for the upcoming October 17 Senior Review Group meeting. See Document 158. A notation on the paper reads: “prepared for SRG 10/17 + sent to SRG members 10/16.” Another notation indicates it was seen by U, J, ARA (Meyer), and S/PC (Eaton).

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

From Stalemate to Breakthrough, August 24, 1970-May 20, 1971

Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

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

International Environmental Policy

Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

Iraq 1969-1971

  • 277. Airgram 477 From the Embassy in Belgium to the Department of State, Brussels, October 16, 1970

    The Embassy passed along a report by the Belgian Foreign Office on the gradually improving conditions for Iraqi Jews.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 14 IRAQ. Confidential. Repeated to Tehran, Beirut, London, and Tel Aviv.

  • 278. Telegram 9048 From the Embassy in Lebanon to the Department of State, Beirut, October 16, 1970, 1730Z

    The Embassy reported on the recent turmoil in Iraq’s Ba’ath party, which had resulted in the dismissal of Hardan Tikriti at the instigation of Saddam Hussein and others in the Revolutionary Command Council.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 IRAQ. Confidential. Repeated to Amman, Kuwait, Tehran, Jidda, Brussels, Ankara, Tel Aviv, London, Moscow, and Paris. Although identified as the Iraqi Vice President, Tikriti was in fact the Minister of Defense. In telegram 361, March 31, 1971, the Embassy in Kuwait reported that Tikriti had been assassinated in the city of Kuwait, and that the government and public “assumes that murder was planned in Baghdad and executed by Iraqi govt assassins.” (Ibid.)

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

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

  • 84. Telegram 8141 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State, Rawalpindi, October 16, 1970, 1129Z

    The initial status report from the Embassy indicated that the “major problem” affecting the U.S. offer to sell arms to Pakistan was the question of whether Pakistan could afford to finance the package of arms being offered.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 PAK. Secret; Exdis.

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

Argentina

  • 64. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 16, 1970., Washington, October 16, 1970

    President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger summarized two letters from Ambassador John Davis Lodge to President Nixon. Lodge questioned whether it would be in the U.S. interest for Argentina to return to representative democracy. In the second letter Lodge proposed Bebe Rebozo visit Argentina.

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 768, Country Files, Argentina 1969–31 August 71. Secret. Sent for action. Nixon approved the recommendation and wrote on the bottom of the memorandum, “Consider whether I should go there [Argentina] early in 1971.” Nixon never made the trip. Attached but not published at Tab A is Nixon’s October 22 reply to Lodge in which the President declared he was giving careful attention to Chile, and handwrote an additional note, “The campaign is heating up—we should gain some in the Senate and would win it—if it were not for the economic drag.” Also attached but not printed is Tab B, two September 10 letters from Lodge to Nixon.

Cuba

  • 231. Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (Laird) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, October 16, 1970., Washington, October 16, 1970

    Secretary of Defense Laird provided President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger with an update on Soviet naval activities in Cienfuegos and Mariel, Cuba.

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 782, Country Files, Latin America, Soviet Naval Activity in Cuban Waters, Vol. I, Cienfuegos. Top Secret. Attached was a October 16 memorandum from the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, which detailed Soviet naval activity in the area of Cienfuegos. (Ibid.) In a October 29 memorandum to Kissinger, Richard T. Kennedy indicated that “recent photography had indicated a reduction in construction activity and departure of several Soviet naval vessels” from Cienfuegos. (Ibid.) A November 4 CIA intelligence cable, TDCS 314/11498–70, confirmed that construction of Soviet naval facilities at Cienfuegos had ceased. (Ibid.)

Nicaragua

  • 498. Telegram 1815 From the Embassy in Nicaragua to the Department of State, October 16, 1970, 2225Z., October 16, 1970, 2225Z

    The Embassy reported that Conservative Party President Fernando Agüero had told them that President Somoza would not “seek to extend his time in office” as had been supposed.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 12 NIC. Confidential. In Airgram A–135 from Managua, October 7, the Embassy detailed efforts by the Liberal and Conservative Parties to negotiate Somoza’s withdraw from power and the establishment of a transition government. (Ibid.) In telegram 1938 from Managua, November 5, the Embassy described Somoza as “evasive on continuism” when asked during a press conference whether he planned to remain in office. (Ibid., POL 15–1 NIC)

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

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-4757 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4757-02A-26A, President Nixon meeting with Bishop James Walsh, Maryknoll Order, Glenn J. Beall, Congressman from Maryland, Harry S. Dent, Special Counsel and the Bishop's brother and nephew. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James Walsh, Maryknoll Order, Glenn J. Beall, Harry S. Dent, Walsh's family.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-4757-07, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Bishop James Walsh of the Maryknoll Order, his brother and nephew, Maryland Congressman J. Glenn Beall, and Harry S. Dent, Special Counsel. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James Walsh, Maryknoll Order; J. Glenn Beall, Harry S. Dent.

Roll WHPO-4758 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4758-02-04, the Grand Cay Bahamas. 10/16/1970, Grand Cay Bahamas

Roll WHPO-4759 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4759-04-14, Clay T. Whitehead, Director of the Office of Telecommunications Policy swearing in a unidentified individual. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Clay T. Whitehead.

Roll WHPO-4760 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4760-01A-07A, Henry A. Kissinger, Assistant to the President, presents an award (Legion of Merit) to an unidentified US Army Colonel. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. Executive Office Building. Henry A. Kissinger, Alexander Haig, unidentified US Army Colonel, unidentified observers.

Roll WHPO-4761 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4761-02A-14A, Julie Eisenhower presenting a check to Girl Scouts of America representative. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Julie Eisenhower, group of Girl Scouts.

Roll WHPO-4762 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4762-03-15, Julie Eisenhower presenting a check to Girl Scouts of America representative. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Julie Eisenhower, group of Girl Scouts.

Roll WHPO-4786 Photographer: | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4786-, Copies of formal portraits of President Nixon. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-4786-00, A formal portrait of President Nixon seated besides a bookcase and the flag of the presidential seal. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

Roll WHPO-4787 Photographer: Hartman | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4787-00, A formal portrait of President Nixon seated besides a bookcase and the flag of the presidential seal. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.
  • Frame(s): WHPO-4787-01-02, Copies of formal portraits of President Nixon. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

Roll WHPO-4790 Photographer: Hartman | Color or B&W: B&W

  • Frame(s): WHPO-4790-, Copies of portraits of President Nixon. 10/16/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon.

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.

B - Vice-Presidential (Agnew and Ford)

  • WHCA-SR-B-136
    Press conference-Bay Hills Country Club, Orlando, Florida. (10/16/1970)

    Runtime: 20:00

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

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

  • WHCA-SR-P-701022
    Taped messages for condidtates in NJ, Penna., Cal., Vermont, Wisconsin. (10/16/1970)

    Runtime: 6:16

    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-3905
    President Nixon's Speech at Kansas State University (revision A). Possibly the 9/16/1970 remarks made in the Alfred M. Landon Lecture Series at Kansas State University when President Nixon was heckled by students. (www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=2663&st=&st1=) Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickel.
    Undetermined
    Runtime: 00:32:10
  • WHCA-3907
    Weekly News Summary - Tape II.
    All networks
    Runtime: 00:58:25

    16. Report on the Kent State decision with film from the Kent State Campus. Time Code Start: 36:33. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: ABC.

    17. Update on the Middle East situation; film report from the State department. Time Code Start: 38:58. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: ABC.

    18. Report on President Nixon's campaign appearances for Republican candidates. Time Code Start: 41:27. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: ABC.

    19. Howard K. Smith: commentary on the legacy of Kent State. Time Code Start: 42:17. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: ABC.

    20. Story on the Kent State report; film interview with members of the Scranton Commission (President's Commission on Campus Unrest). Time Code Start: 44:05. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: NBC.

    21. Kent State decision. Time Code Start: 47:49. Keywords: National Guard, shootings, students, deaths, colleges, universities, investigations, demonstrations, rally, protests, protesters, demonstraters, demonstrators, Vietnam War, anti-war. Network: CBS.

    22. Update on the Middle East; film report from the State Department. Time Code Start: 51:14. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: CBS.

    23. Report on President Nixon campaign appearances. Time Code Start: 53:23. Keywords: Presidents, travel, trips, Nixon trips, domestic, elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)

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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