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August 17, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, August 17, 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: Sunday, August 16, 1970

Next Date: Tuesday, August 18, 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

    Bill Signings

    Statements by the President

    • Federal Economy Act (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1078, August 17, 1970)
      Statement by the President Urging Congressional Action.

    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.

    • Press conference of George A. Lincoln, Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness, on his letter to the President on the oil import program.
    • Press conference of Caspar W. Weinberger, Deputy Director, Office of Management and Budget, on the President's statement on the Federal economy act.

    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 recommendations of the Oil Policy Committee were announced at the White House by George A. Lincoln, Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
    • The President met with representatives of the American Association of Retired Persons, including the Association's 2 millionth member, the Rev. Herbert R. Ekerberg, and Mrs. Ekerberg, of Bloomington, Minn.

  • 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.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • 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

    The Aftermath of the Cambodian Incursion, July 21-October 7, 1970

    • 24. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 588, Cambodia Operation 1970, Cambodia–Clandestine Psychological Campaign on Cambodia. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed his comment, “Communicate to Helms.” In a September 2 memorandum to Helms, Kissinger noted that the President commented favorably on the campaign and urged him to continue it. (Ibid.)

    • 25. National Security Study Memorandum 99, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, NSSMs 43–103. Top Secret. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the JCS, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development.

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

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

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

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 151. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 17, 1970, 9:05 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 134, Country Files, Middle East, Rabin-Kissinger. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The conversation was held in the Map Room of the White House. Rabin described his August 17 meeting with President Nixon in The Rabin Memoirs, pp. 184–185.

    Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa

    Regional Issues

    • 40. National Security Decision Memorandum 81, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 363, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda. Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of Central Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Mediterranean, 1969-1972

    Turkey

    • 435. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 17, 1970, 1:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Presidentʼs Office Files, Memoranda for the President. Secret. The meeting took place in the Oval Office.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 106. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 684, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. VII. Secret. Sent for information. A stamped note on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it. According to another copy, Hyland drafted the memorandum on August 14. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 291, Memoranda to the President, 1969–74, July–Aug. 1970)

    • 107. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 17, 1970, 3:30-4:45 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 28 GER B. Confidential. Drafted by Skoug. The meeting was held in Hillenbrand’s office. Eitel also drafted a record of the meeting; see Akten zur Auswärtigen Politik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 1970, Vol. 2, pp. 1492–1496. Following his meeting with Hillenbrand, Bahr met Secretary of State Rogers. A memorandum of conversation is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL GER W–USSR; see also Dokumente zur Deutschlandpolitik, 1969– 1970, Nr. 187, pp. 745–746.

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

    U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

    • 178. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Ambassador Handley and President Nixon discussed U.S.-Turkish relations, especially the Turkish Government’s opium control program.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 358, Subject Files, Narcotics III. Secret. Drafted by Saunders.

    Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

    • 205. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kissinger and his staff discussed Senator Fulbright’s proposal for a “uniform interpretation” of the Geneva Protocol with regard to tear gas and herbicides.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 314, National Security Council (Classified), 1969–77, Meetings, Staff, 1969–71. Secret. Prepared by Davis on August 19.

    Vol. E-5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969-1972

    Nigerian Civil War

    • 198. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 17, 1970

      Upon his return from Lagos, Ambassador Iyalla met with Department of State officials for a wide-ranging discussion during which he said that U.S.-Nigerian relations were becoming cordial, the AID reconstruction loan was enthusiastically received, and the U.S. Embassy in Lagos was handling well its relationships with the Federal Military Government (FMG). He continued to object to activities in the United States by the Biafran International Foundation and the Nigeria War Victims Relief Foundation.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 17 Nigeria-US. Confidential.

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

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

    • 74. Telegram 1569 From the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State, Dacca, August 17, 1970, 0624Z

      Ambassador Farland reported from Dacca on severe flooding in East Pakistan that had led Pakistani President Yahya to postpone national elections from October to December.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, SOC 10 PAK. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Rawalpindi. The telegram, signed by Consul General Blood, was sent by Farland. Nixon followed Farland’s advice. On August 18 Farland was authorized to deliver a letter from Nixon to Yahya that was virtually identical to the letter proposed by Farland. (Telegram 134524 to Rawalpindi; ibid.)

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    A Spoiling Operation: The 1970 Chilean Presidential Election, January 1-September 4, 1970

  • 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-4165 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4165-01-11, President Nixon meeting with White House News Photographers Association. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, George Tames, Jack Fletcher, Henry Burroughs, Charles Shutt, Ronald L. Ziegler.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4165-14-17, President Nixon meeting with Fred Faassen, President of the American Association of Retired Persons, and others. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Fred Faassen, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Faassen, Bernard E. Nash, Rev. & Mrs. Herbert Ekerberg, Charles H. Thomas.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4165-19-23, President Nixon meeting with Jack R. Bailey, President of the National League of Postmasters. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Jack R. Bailey.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4165-25-27, President Nixon meeting with Bremer Ehrler, President, National Association of Postmasters and George Bell. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Bremer Ehrler, George Bell.

    Roll WHPO-4166 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4166-01-02, President Nixon meeting with Bishop Joseph Bernardin, Russ Shaw, John Consgrove, Monsignor George Higgins, Father Charles Burns, and Monsignor Geno Baroni. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Bishop Joseph Bernardin, Russ Shaw, John Consgrove, Monsignor George Higgins, Father Charles Burns, Monsignor Geno Baroni Father David Finks, Charles W. Colson, Peter M. Flanigan.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4166-04-11, President Nixon meeting with Melvin Laird, Secretary of Defense Stanley Resor, Secretary of the Army, John Chafee, Secretary of the Navy, Robert C. Seamans, Secretary of the Air Force, and Henry Kissinger. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Melvin R. Laird, Henry Kissinger, Stanley R. Resor, John H. Chafee, Robert C. Seamans.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4166-13-15, President Nixon meeting with Dr. Laurence E. Lynn, Assistant Secretary, HEW.. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Laurence E. Lynn.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4166-20-24, President Nixon meeting with members of White House Correspondents Association, including Peter Lisagor, President, Jack Sutherland, Vice President, Jack Horner, Secretary, Edgar Poe, Treasurer, William DeMatteo, Master Silversmith, and Ronald L. Ziegler, Press Secretary. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Peter Lisagor, Jack Sutherland, Jack Horner, Edgar Poe,William DeMatteo, Ronald L. Ziegler.

    Roll WHPO-4167 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4167-01A-06A, President Nixon meeting with William Handley, US Ambassador to Turkey. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William J. Handley.

    Roll WHPO-4168 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4168-05-08, President Nixon meeting with Donald Santarelli, the Associate Deputy Attorney General/Criminal Justice. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Donald E. Santarelli, Fred Hess, Mrs. Ferrand Peterson, Carl Rauh, Barbara Miller, Sylvia Bacon, David Prosser, Mary Lawton, Nick Gault, Ed Perce, Earl Silbe.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4168-11-30, President Nixon receiving several items, including a football, a golf ball, and an acrylic Pepsi bottle from Donald M. Kendall, the President of PepsiCo, Inc. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Donald M. Kendall.

    Roll WHPO-4169 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4169-03A-06A, President Nixon meeting with Jesse Calhoun, President of National Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Jesse M. Calhoon.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4169-10A-13A, President Nixon meeting with Ronald C. Romans, Chairman of the Young Republicans National Federation. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Ronald C. Romans.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4169-15A-21A, President Nixon meeting with Cecil Stephenson, National Commander for Disabled American Veterans and Charles Huber, National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Cecil Stephenson, Charles Huber, Charles W. Colson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4169-24A-26A, President Nixon meeting with William Handley, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William J. Handley.

    Roll WHPO-4170 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4170-04-09, Brigadier General James Donald Hughes, US Air Force presentating to Sergeant Major Rumford. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Hughes, Sgt. Major Rumford.

    Roll WHPO-4171 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4171-02A-07A, President Nixon meeting with General Westmoreland, former MACV commander and Melvin R. Laird, Secretary of Defense. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, General William C. Westmoreland, Melvin R. Laird.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4171-04, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with General Westmoreland, former U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) commander and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, General William C. Westmoreland, Melvin R. Laird.

    Roll WHPO-4172 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4172-021A-07A, President Nixon meeting with William Milliken, Governor of Michigan. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William G. Milliken, unidentified person.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4172-05, President Nixon sitting at his desk during a meeting with William Milliken, Governor of Michigan. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, William G. Milliken, unidentified person.

    Roll WHPO-4173 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4173-01-14, Brigadier General James Donald Hughes, US Air Force, White House Staff presenting to two senior Non-commissioned officers. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Gen. Hughes' office. Brigadier General James Donald Hughes, and unidentified US Army Sergeant Major and an unidentified senior Air Force NCO.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4173-17-19, Fake movie poster ad for "King's Pirate," starring Henry Kissinger. Tagline: "The Seven Seas, his Playground … Danger … Adventure … Women … his Reward.". 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-4174 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4174-04-08, Henry Kissinger presenting an award to a staff member. 8/17/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Henry Kissinger, staff members.

  • 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-241
      Press briefing by Gerald Warren and George Lincoln. (8/17/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

      Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.
    • WHCA-SR-H-244
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler and Caspar Weinberger. (8/17/1970, Press Lobby, White House)

      Runtime: 30:00:00

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

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JRS (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-3821
      Weekly News Summary - Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      9. Smith/Murphy: Vice President Agnew on the Hatfield-McGovern Amendment. Time Code Start: 10:59. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, bills, laws, amendments. Network: ABC.

      10. Smith/Clark: Vice President Agnew on the Hatfield-McGovern Amendment. Time Code Start: 13:44. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, bills, laws, amendments. Network: ABC.

      11. Howar K. Smith: Commentary on 1970 mid-term elections; Senate most liberal ever, Americans losing faith with liberals, want more law and order. Time Code Start: 15:19. Keywords: elections, candidates, campaigns, campaigning, voting, results, crime, crimes, offences, infractions, criminals, criminality, law breaking, law and order. Network: ABC.

      12. Chancellor: Abba Eban on Secretary of Defense Laird. Time Code Start: 17:10. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, leaders, speeches, statements, cabinet, advisors, military. Network: NBC.

      13. Chancellor: Vice President Agnew on his rhetoric and on the Hatfield-McGovern Amendment. Time Code Start: 17:56. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, bills, laws, amendments. Network: NBC.

      14. McGovern on his amendment. Time Code Start: 19:43. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates. Network: NBC.

      15. Cronkite: Vice President Agnew on Hatfield-McGovern Amendment. Time Code Start: 20:46. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, bills, laws, amendments. Network: CBS.

      16. Cronkite: McGovern on Hatfield-McGovern Amendment. Time Code Start: 23:58. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, bills, laws, amendments. Network: CBS.

      17. Morton: McGovern on Hatfield-McGovern Amendment. Time Code Start: 24:51. Keywords: Presidential elections, campaigns, campaigning, candidates, bills, laws, amendments. Network: CBS.

      18. Kalb: Middle East report. Time Code Start: 25:27. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war, Israeli, truces, treaties, negotiations. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)