December 3, 1970

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.

Addresses and Remarks

• Young American Medals for Bravery and Service (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1618, December 3, 1970)
  The President's Remarks Upon Presenting the Awards in a White House Ceremony.

Appointments and Nominations

• Aviation Advisory Commission (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1619, December 3, 1970)
  Announcement of Appointment of Nine Members of the Commission.
• United States Ambassador to Gabon (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1620, December 3, 1970)
  Announcement of Intention To Nominate John A. McKesson 3d of the District of Columbia.

Awards

• Young American Medals for Bravery and Service (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1619, December 3, 1970)
  Announcement of Presentation of Awards.

Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

• North Atlantic Council (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1620, December 3, 1970)
  The President's Message Read by Secretary of State William P. Rogers at the Opening Session of the Council's Meeting at Brussels.

Acts Approved by the President

• H.R. 14252 -- Public Law 91-527
  Drug Abuse Education Act of 1970.

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 White House announced the completion of the report of the Subcommittee on Construction Statistics of the Cabinet Committee on Construction.
• Following receipt of reports which the President had requested from the Departments of State and Transportation on refusal to grant asylum to a Lithuanian seaman trying to defect from a Soviet vessel on November 23, the President directed a further investigation of the incident and a complete revamping of existing instructions and procedures to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.

Nominations Submitted to the Senate

Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

• JOHN A. McKESSON 3D, of the District of Columbia, a Foreign Service Officer of Class one, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Gabon Republic.

Nominations Submitted to the Senate

• The following-named persons to be members of the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Board of Review, which were sent to the Senate on September 15, 1970: ROBERT N. STEWART, of Indiana, for the remainder of the term of 5 years expiring September 15, 1971. HUGH C. MATLOCK, of Colorado, for the remainder of the term of 5 years expiring September 15, 1972. DONALD E. PIERCE, of Idaho, for the remainder of the term of 5 years expiring September 15, 1973. KENNETH C. KELLAR, of South Dakota, for the remainder of the term of 5 years expiring September 15, 1974. HOWARD L. HARTMAN, of California, for the term of 5 years expiring September 15, 1975.

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.

• Remarks on Presenting the Young American Medals.
• Message to the Opening Session of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels.

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 Thursday, December 3, 1970

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

• Senate: December 3, 1970
• House of Representatives: December 3, 1970
• Extensions of Remarks: December 3, 1970

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)
• Original audio recording (MP3)

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

• Text search for December 3, 1970
• Date search for December 3, 1970

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 3, 1970
• Date search for December 3, 1970

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 December 1970

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

• 218. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 276, President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, Vol. VI. Top Secret; Sensitive; Contains Codeword.

Vol. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

Foreign Economic Policy

• 48. Information Memorandum From C. Fred Bergsten of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 309, Balance of Payments. Secret. At the top of the memorandum, Haig wrote: “Amen!” when he rerouted it to Bergsten. Kissinger wrote: “I agree.”

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

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

• 57. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 908, Soviet Defector Case, November 70. Confidential. Drafted by Kissinger and Downey on December 2. Printed from an uninitialed copy.

• 58. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 714, Country Files, Europe, USSR, Vol. XI. Secret; Nodis; Sensitive. Urgent; sent for information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum on December 8.

Vol. XIX, Part 2, Japan, 1969-1972

December 1969-March 1971: Relations After the First Nixon-Sato Summit

• 61. Memorandum From C. Fred Bergsten of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 400, Subject Files, Textiles, Vol. III. Secret; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Kissinger initialed the document, indicating that he had seen it.

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

• 187. Letter From President Nixon to Israeli Prime Minister Meir, Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 756, Presidential Correspondence 1969–1974, Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir 1970. Secret; Nodis. Copies were sent to Haig, Kennedy, Sonnenfeldt, and Saunders. Telegram 197609 to Tel Aviv, December 4, instructed Barbour to deliver the letter promptly to Meir. (Ibid.)

• 188. Minutes of a Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, December 3, 1970, 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–111, Senior Review Group, Meeting Minutes Originals 1970. Top Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.

Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

General Policy

• 20. Memorandum From C. Fred Bergsten of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, December 3, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 326, Subject Files, The Presidentʼs Annual Review of US Foreign Policy, Vol. II–part 2. Secret. Sent for action. Concurred in by Sonnenfeldt. Printed from an uninitialed copy. Handwritten notations at the top of the page, apparently in Sonnenfeldtʼs hand, read: “until I see where we get,” and “Why held-up for 4 weeks[?]” At the bottom of the page a note in the same hand reads: “Must be rewritten & shortened. Pres needs 1 Recommendation. I want to hold-up MFN.”

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

Western Europe Region and NATO

• 55. Telegram From the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Department of State, Brussels, December 3, 1970, 1545Z

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 4 NATO. Unclassified; Priority. Repeated to the Department of Defense, SHAPE, USCINCEUR, USLOSACLANT, and all NATO capitals. Kissinger wrote about the NATO paper in White House Years, p. 401.

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

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

• 103. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Sisco) to Acting Secretary of State Irwin, Washington, December 3, 1970

  Sisco informed Irwin that the Indian Government had apparently decided to damp down its criticism of the U.S. decision to supply additional arms to Pakistan. He added that the Indians seemed inclined to try to repair the damage done to relations between the United States and India in recent months.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, NEA/INS Files: Lot 74 D 17, India 1970, DEF 19, October Decision. Confidential. Drafted by Quainton and cleared by Schneider and Van Hollen. Attached but not published was telegram 14902 from New Delhi, November 27.

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.

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-5194 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5194-01A-35A, Volunteer Docents in the Custis Lee Mansion Park dressed in period costumes, also known as Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial. 12/3/1970, Arlington, Virginia Custis-Lee Mansion (Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial). Pat Nixon, unidentified volunteer docents.

Roll WHPO-5195 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5195-02-37, Volunteers in the Park dressed in period costumes at the Custis-Lee Mansion, also known as Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial. 12/3/1970, Arlington, VA Custis-Lee Mansion (Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial). Pat Nixon, unidentified volunteers.

Roll WHPO-5198 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5198-02-23, President Nixon presenting Junior Achievement Awards. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon, unidentified guests.

Roll WHPO-5199 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5199-00A-28A, President Nixon presenting Junior Achievement Awards. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Nixon and unidentified guests.

Roll WHPO-5200 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5200-02-04, President Nixon coming to work in the morning via the Arcade. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior. President Nixon, unidentified male.

Roll WHPO-5201 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5201-05-12, Harry Dent with visitors. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior. Harry Dent, visitors.

Roll WHPO-5205 Photographer: Hartmann | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5205-01, Copy of a photograph of President Nixon with the U.S. Attorney. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior. President Nixon, two unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-5206 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5206-01A-04A, Harry Dent meeting with two unidentified men. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Harry Dent, two unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-5207 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5207-03-12, Jana Huruska's birthday party. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown office. Jana Huruska, unidentified colleagues.

Roll WHPO-5210 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5210-03-04, President Nixon with Randolph (Bob) Guthrie, lawyer, Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander, Heinze Hoppe, Dr. Joachim Zahm. 12/3/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Bob Guthrie, Heinze Hoppe, Joachim Zahm.

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-054
  Remarks by Pat Nixon to National Park Service volunteers in the Drawing Room of the Custis-Lee Mansion in Arlington, Virginia, with George Herzog and Fred J. Russell. (12/3/1970, Drawing Room, Custis-Lee Mansion, Arlington, Virginia)
  
  Runtime: 0:18
  
  Keywords: volunteerism, volunteer programs
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by BAC (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-701201
  Awards ceremony for Bravery and Service Medals with RK. (12/3/1970)
  
  Runtime: 3:24
  
  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-4011
  "The Dean Martin Show".
  NBC
  Runtime: 1:00
• WHCA-4013
  Weekly News Summary, Tape II.
  All networks
  Runtime: 00:58:15
  
  15. Senate rejects Supersonic Transport (SST). Time Code Start: 29:19. Keywords: Senators, votes, voting, Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, investigations, reports. Network: ABC.
  
  16. Lithuanian sailor: New Presidential order sets new procedures for Coast guard handling of defectors. Time Code Start: 31:33. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: ABC.
  
  17. Update on Vietnam casualty figures. Time Code Start: 32:10. Keywords: Vietnam War, killed in action, KIA, death tolls, fatalities, casualty, casualties, military, troops. Network: ABC.
  
  18. Democrats offer inflation alert. Time Code Start: 33:00. Keywords: economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, prices, reports. Network: ABC.
  
  19. Reynolds/Jarriel: President Nixon awards Young American Medals; Young athlete medalist criticizes President Nixon, Debra Jean Sweet can't believe in President Nixon until Vietnam War is over. Time Code Start: 35:03. Keywords: awards, medals, Presidents, protests, activists, interviews, Vietnam War, statements, athletes, sports. Network: ABC.
  
  20. Edward P. Morgan: Commentary that Senator risks President wrath to give Supersonic Transport (SST) tests before production: Justice Department and Indian Affairs Bureau on warpath. Time Code Start: 36:55. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, American Indians, Native Americans, courts, disagreements. Network: ABC.
  
  21. Report on Senate vote rejecting Supersonic Transport (SST). Time Code Start: 38:49. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, voting. Network: NBC.
  
  22. Film interview with Vice President of Boeing Corporation. Time Code Start: 40:30. Keywords: executives, aviation industry, aircraft, manufacturing. Network: NBC.
  
  23. Brinkley: President Nixon awards Young American Medals; Young athlete medalist Debra Jean Sweet says she can't believe President Nixon's sincere till he gets United States out of Vietnam. Time Code Start: 41:40. Keywords: awards, medals, Presidents, protests, activists, interviews, Vietnam War, statements, athletes, sports. Network: NBC.
  
  24. Lithuanian sailor: New Presidential order sets new procedures for Coast guard handling of defectors. Time Code Start: 43:10. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: NBC.
  
  25. Senate rejects Supersonic Transport (SST). Time Code Start: 43:40. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners. Network: CBS.
  
  26. Cronkite/Pierpoint/Schoumacher: President Nixon awards Young American Medals; Young athlete medalist Debra Jean Sweet says she can't believe President Nixon's sincere till he gets United States out of Vietnam, says it felt good to tell him to his face. Time Code Start: 46:19. Keywords: awards, medals, Presidents, protests, activists, interviews, Vietnam War, statements, athletes, sports. Network: CBS.
  
  27. Lithuanian sailor: New Presidential order sets new procedures for Coast guard handling of defectors. Time Code Start: 48:51. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, Simas Kudirka, fishing ships, Martha's Vineyard, USCGC Vigilant, US Coast Guard, defections, asylum denials, arrests. Network: CBS.
  
  28. Cronkite/Eric Sevareid: Commentary on the Supersonic Transport (SST) Senate vote defeated, good for environment. Time Code Start: 50:16. Keywords: Supersonic Transport, SST, aircraft, speed of sound, subsonic airliners, Senate, voting, funding, rejections. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 3, 1970

• AP Images photos from December 3, 1970
• Getty Images photos from December 3, 1970

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.

• December 1970 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 3, 1970