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December 11, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Friday, December 11, 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, December 10, 1970

Next Date: Saturday, December 12, 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.

    Addresses and Remarks

    • United States Representative to the United Nations (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1657, December 11, 1970)
      Remarks of the President, Ambassador Charles W. Yost, and Congressman George Bush of Texas, on the Selection of Congressman Bush To Succeed Ambassador Yost.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Counsellor to the President (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1657, December 11, 1970)
      Announcement of Intention To Appoint Donald Rumsfeld.
    • Office of Economic Opportunity (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1657, December 11, 1970)
      Announcement of Intention to Nominate Frank Charles Carlucci III as Director.
    • Civil Aeronautics Board (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1659, December 11, 1970)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Robert D. Timm as a Member.

    Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

    Acts Approved by the President

    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.

    • Biographical data on George Herbert Walker Bush.
    • Press conference of Governor Richard B. Ogilvie of Illinois, Governor William T. Cahill of New Jersey, Governor Russell W. Peterson of Delaware, Governor-elect Milton Shapp of Pennsylvania, and Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Elliot L. Richardson following their meeting with the President to discuss the Family Assistance Plan.

    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.

    • The President met with a bipartisan group of Governors to discuss the Family Assistance Program.
    • Moshe Dayan, Minister of Defense of Israel, met with the President at the White House.

  • 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

  • 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.

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

    • 190. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 11, 1970, 3:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 608, Country Files, Middle East, Israel, Vol. VIII. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. Printed from an unsigned copy.

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Poland

    • 141. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 11, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 32–3 GER–POL. Limited Official Use. Drafted by Baker.

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

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

    • 119. Memorandum From K. Wayne Smith and Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 11, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 714, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XI, December 1970. Secret. Sent for information. A notation on the memorandum indicates that Kissinger saw it. This memorandum is attached as Tab B to a December 14 memorandum from Sonnenfeldt to Kissinger that recommended Kissinger send a backchannel message to Smith. Kissinger initialed his approval of this recommendation. The text of the proposed message reads as follows: “You will have received the formulations regarding ABM-only and FBS that were decided on over the weekend. The basic consideration was to leave our position sufficiently flexible for the next round as well as for any approach the Soviets may elect to make during the recess.” Kissinger continued, “We will want to give careful consideration to the significance of these approaches at an early stage after adjournment in terms of our intelligence regarding Soviet ICBM construction, the survivability study and other factors such as the situation in Moscow in this pre-Congress period.” For the new instructions to the delegation, see Document 120.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

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

    Brazil

    • 133. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 11, 1970., Washington, December 11, 1970

      President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger recommended that the Department of State step up its efforts to negotiate a settlement with Brazil on coffee imports.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 771, Country Files, Latin America, Brazil, Volume 2, September 1970–July 31, 1971. Confidential. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon approved the recommendation. Davis informed Eliot in a December 29 memorandum transmitting the President’s decision to the Department of State, “If a settlement cannot be negotiated by March 15, 1971, the President is prepared to reconsider the question of imposing a fee on imports of Brazilian soluble coffee at that time.”

    Jamaica

    • 420. Intelligence Memorandum, Washington, December 11, 1970., Washington, December 11, 1970

      Intelligence analysis of the Jamaican political situation suggested that foreign control of the Jamaican bauxite industry could become a major issue in the next elections.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 786, Country Files, Latin America, Jamaica, Vol. I. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Forwarded to Haig under a December 11 covering memorandum from Helms. (Ibid.) The report of Shearer informing de Roulet that Jamaica would follow Guyana’s lead on bauxite is in telegram 3011 from Kingston, December 7. (Ibid.)

  • 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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-5251 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5251-02-18, President Nixon speaking from a lectern with Congressman George H. W. Bush, and Ambassador Yost. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. President Nixon, George H. W. Bush, Ambassador Yost.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5251-07A, President Nixon, Secretary of State William Rogers, and Congressman George H. W. Bush stand nearby as Charles Yost, Ambassador to the U.N., speaks from a lectern. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. L to R: George H. W. Bush, William Rogers, Charles Yost, President Nixon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5251-14A, President Nixon speaking from a lectern with Congressman George H. W. Bush, and Ambassador Yost. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. L to R: George H. W. Bush, William Rogers, Charles Yost, President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-5252 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5252-02-09, Henry Kissinger with unidentified men. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. Henry Kissinger, unidentified men.

    Roll WHPO-5253 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5253-01-03, President Nixon meeting with Governors, including Robert W. Scott, Walter Peterson, Richard B. Ogilvie, President Nixon, Russell W. Peterson, Robert D. Ray, Preston Smith, in Support of Family Assistance Plan. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Robert W. Scott, Walter Peterson, Richard B. Ogilvie, Russell W. Peterson, Robert D. Ray, Preston Smith.

    Roll WHPO-5254 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5254-01A-12A, President Nixon meeting with Governors, including Robert W. Scott, Walter Peterson, Richard B. Ogilvie, President Nixon, Russell W. Peterson, Robert D. Ray, Preston Smith, in Support of Family Assistance Plan. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Robert W. Scott, Walter Peterson, Richard B. Ogilvie, Russell W. Peterson, Robert D. Ray, Preston Smith.

    Roll WHPO-5255 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5255-03-05, Men chatting in the Cabinet Room. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. unidentified individuals.

    Roll WHPO-5256 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5256-02A-15A, White House chefs stand in the kitchen near an A-Frame style decorated gingerbread house (created by White House Assistant Chef Hans Raffert) to be used as a display in the East Room. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, kitchen. Unidentified chefs, Hans Raffert.

    Roll WHPO-5257 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5257-03A-22A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Minister of Defense General Moshe Dayan. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Moshe Dayan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5257-06A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Minister of Defense General Moshe Dayan. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Moshe Dayan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5257-16A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Minister of Defense General Moshe Dayan. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Moshe Dayan.

    Roll WHPO-5258 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5258-02A-11A, President Nixon seated in the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Minister of Defense General Moshe Dayan. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Moshe Dayan, unidentified male.

    Roll WHPO-5259 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5259-05-15, President Nixon meeting with Chairman of the Finance Committee Senator Russell Long. 12/11/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Russell Long, unidentified male.

  • 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.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-306
      Press briefing regarding welfare with Govenors Ogilvie, Cahill, Shapp, and Peterson. (12/11/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 20:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by LRR (initials of WHCA engineer)

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-701206
      Announcement of appointment of George Bush as Ambassador to UN with Charles Yost, Bush. (12/11/1970)

      Runtime: 4:00

      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-4027
      "Today" Show. President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew.
      CBS
      Runtime: 0:13
    • WHCA-4029
      Weekly News Summary - Tape II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      23. Smith/Clark: In last night's newscast President Nixon urged Congress to vote for arms aid to Cambodia, and Defense Secretary Laird urged Foreign Relations Committee to act quickly. But Nixon says the committee is more concerned whether he'll resume bombin. Time Code Start: 00:46:33. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Cambodia, military, Senators, voting, approvals, foreign aid, financial aid. Network: ABC.

      24. Smith/Gill: President Nixon announces reshuffling of administration. Replaces United Nations Ambassador Charles Yost with George H.W. Bush, after he lost his race for the Senate. Nixon praised his philosophy rather than his experience, including his inter. Time Code Start: 00:50:04. Keywords: Presidents, nominations, diplomats, officials, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, U.N., government aid, financial aid, health and welfare assistance, meetings, Middle East, diplomats. Network: ABC.

      25. Smith: Commentary. As the U.S. appears to be entering a new installment of the Vietnam debate in Washington, consider that the war is not miserable nor hated, but that those who can stop it take no action. All Congress needs to do is refuse money for figh. Time Code Start: 00:52:07. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Cambodia, military, Congress, foreign aid, financial aid. Network: ABC.

      26. Chancellor: Senator J. William Fulbright and Defense Secretary Melvin Laird debate prisoners of war raid while Laird spoke before the Foreign Relations Committee disputing charges the administration is escalating the air-war over North Vietnam. Laird say. Time Code Start: 00:54:01. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, prisons, raids, rescues, attempts, military, troops, Senate, criticisms, debates. Network: NBC.

      27. Chancellor/Kaplow: Texas Congressman George H.W. Bush is President Nixon's choice for the American Ambassador to the United Nations, replacing Charles Yost. Nixon had offered the job to Daniel Moynihan. Yost had discussed stepping down. Moynihan citing Bu. Time Code Start: 00:58:18. Keywords: Presidents, nominations, diplomats, officials, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, U.N.,. Network: NBC.

      28. Chancellor: Assistant Secretary of the Interior Leslie Glasgow, in charge of Fish, Wildlife and Parks was fired 2 weeks ago. Glasgow says he wasn't political enough for the administration and that recent shakeups are aimed the upcoming reelection campaign. Time Code Start: 01:00:54. Keywords: officials, firings, interviews. Network: NBC.
    • WHCA-4030
      Weekly News Summary - Tape III.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30

      1. Cronkite/Kalb: In his news conference, President Nixon warned the US would resume bombing North Vietnam if necessary. Capitol Hill worried. Senate Foreign Relations Committee charged Defense Secretary Laird and admin was escalating the war. Laird claims t. Time Code Start: 00:00:00. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Vietnam Prisoner of War, POW, military, officials, Congress, Senators, criticisms, espionage, spying, failures. Network: CBS.

      2. Cronkite/Rather: Understanding between Johnson administration and Hanoi at the time of the bombing halt was revealed. The administration claims to have understanding with Hanoi as bombing in North Vietnam halted. Claim Hanoi lead Johnson administration to. Time Code Start: 00:03:48. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, bombing, Presidents, speeches, reactions, criticisms. Network: CBS.

      3. Cronkite: President Nixon announced George H.W. Bush as next United Nations Ambassador.. Time Code Start: 00:06:08. Keywords: Presidents, nominations, diplomats, officials, organization of nations, intergovernmental alliance, U.N.. Network: CBS.

      4. Cronkite: House Armed Services Chairman L. Mendel Rivers underwent open heart surgery today. . Time Code Start: 00:06:31. Keywords: Congress, officials, health, operations. Network: CBS.

      5. Cronkite: Israeli's Defense Minister Moshe Dayan in Washington, D.C. to meet with President Nixon, joined by Defense Secretary Laird and Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin. Press Secretary says Nixon still hopeful that UN sponsored Middle East peace talks w. Time Code Start: 00:06:39. Keywords: Presidents, meeting, Middle East, Mideast, officials. Network: CBS.

      6. Sevareid: A year ago President Nixon seemed to clear national air on the Vietnam issue, but with Cambodian incursion of last spring storm clouds reappeared - disappearing when US ground troops were removed from Cambodia. Defense Secretary Laird's defensiv. Time Code Start: 00:07:02. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, reactions, criticisms. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)