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August 5, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Wednesday, August 5, 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: Tuesday, August 4, 1970

Next Date: Thursday, August 6, 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.

    Announcements

    Appointments and Nominations

    • Department of Defense (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1023, August 5, 1970)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate J. Fred Buzhard, Jr., To Be General Counsel.

    Congress, Communications to

    Memorandums to Federal Agencies

    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 Maurice H. Stans, Secretary of Commerce, following his meeting with the President to report on damages in Corpus Christi, Tex., caused by Hurricane Celia.
    • Press conference of Dwight A. Ink, Assistant Director for Executive Management, Office of Management and Budget, and Norman S. Peterson, Staff Assistant, Office of Management and Budget, on the President's memorandum on Federal reporting and paperwork.

    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 has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey W. Lewis, United States Ambassador to the Central African Republic, effective August 31, 1970.
    • The President today announced that Charles A. Meyer, Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, will head the United States delegation to the inauguration of Dr. Misael Pastrana Borrero as President of the Republic of Colombia at ceremonies beginning on August 6.
    • The President has accepted the resignation of Leverett Edwards as a member of the National Mediation Board, effective July 28, 1970.
    • The President today transmitted to the Congress the report of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration entitled "Twenty-first Semiannual Report to Congress, January 1-June 30, 1969" (Government Printing Office, 232 pp.).
    • Representatives of the National Medical Association met with the President at the White House.

    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.

    • J. FRED BUZHARDT, JR., of South Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense.

  • 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

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

    Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

    Thailand

    • 82. Summary Paper in Response to National Security Study Memorandum 51, Washington, August 5, 1970

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, PM/ISP Files: Lot 72 D 504, Subject Files, Box 2. Top Secret. According to a September 16 memorandum from Jeanne W. Davis to the Secretaries of State and Defense, the response to NSSM 51 was not completed, but instead was incorporated into NSSM 99, Southeast Asia. (National Archives, RG 59, NSC Files: 80 D 212, General Files on NSC Matters, Box 1, NSC Admin. Matters, January 1970)

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

    The Cease-Fire Agreement

    • 142. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, August 5, 1970, 5:30 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1157, Saunders Files, Middle East Negotiations Files, June Initiative (Memos Only), June 9–September 1, 1970. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Map Room.

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 103. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State, Bonn, August 5, 1970, 1722Z

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 12–6 GER W. Secret; Limdis; Noforn. Repeated to Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Bremen, Munich, and Stuttgart. Sonnenfeldt summarized the telegram in an August 6 memorandum to Kissinger: “Yesterday, Barzel told our Embassy that he may decide to convene a special Bundestag session as soon as Scheel initials the treaty (he probably did not know that Scheel may initial as early as tomorrow). He was uncertain, tactically, whether to ‘go all the way’in attacking the government’s foreign policy. Barzel said that he would inform us and the Soviets when he had decided to make an effort to oust the coalition. He made clear, however, that a CDU government would not revert to cold war policies, but would continue a policy of reconciliation and negotiation.” (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 684, Country Files, Europe, Germany, Vol. VII)

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

    Chemical and Biological Warfare; Geneva Protocol; Biological Weapons Convention

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

    Congo

    • 236. Memorandum From Marshall Wright of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, August 5, 1970

      Wright reported that he had arranged authorization from the Department of Defense for sale of three C–130s with waivers of both the 2% charge on quality control and the research and development cost.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 746, Country Files, Africa, Zaire (Republic of the Zaire) (Congo-Kinshasa), Vol. I. No classification marking. Kissinger initialed the memorandum and added a handwritten note, “Good job!” In an August 6 memorandum to the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Wright confirmed in writing that Kissinger had informed him the President wanted the administration to be as helpful as possible in assisting the Congolese in their purchase of the three C–130 aircraft, including waiver of the normal administrative charges. (Ibid.)

    The Horn

    • 297. Memorandum From Richard T. Kennedy of the National Security Council Staff to Marshall Wright of the National Security Council Staff, Washington, August 5, 1970

      Kennedy stressed the need for a study of problems in the Horn of Africa. He noted that Kissinger had shied away in the past, but since the area consumed the lionʼs share of African military and economic aid and was home to the single most important U.S. facility in Africa, Kagnew Station, it was important to prepare a general policy.

      Source: National Security Council Files, National Security Study Memorandum Files, NSSM 115. Secret. Attached is an undated draft memorandum from Kissinger to the President, as well as an undated draft National Security Study Memorandum. Neither of the attached documents was signed and forwarded.

    Vol. E-5, Part 2, Documents on North Africa, 1969-1972

    Libya

  • 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-4079 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4079-01A-08A, Group of Girl Scouts visiting White House. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Lawn. Girl Scouts.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4079-15A-22A, President Joseph Mobutu of the Congo presenting a special medal to pianist Andre Watts. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Joseph Desire Mobutu, Mrs. Mobutu, Andre Watts, Mrs. Watts.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4079-23A-27A, President Joseph Mobutu of the Congo and Mrs. Mobutu with pianist Andre Watts and wife Mrs. Watts. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. President Joseph Desire Mobutu, Mrs. Mobutu, Andre Watts, Mrs. Watts.

    Roll WHPO-4080 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4080-02A-06A, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew in a meeting with the Cabinet. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Spiro Agnew, William Rogers, John Connally, Melvyn Laird, John Mitchell, Rogers Morton, Clifford Hardin, Maurice Stans, James Hodgson, George Romney, John Volpe, David Kennedy, George Shultz, Robert Finch, George Bush, Arthur Burns, other unidentified cabinet members, staff, aides press corps members Eliot H. Rich.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-4080-05A, President Nixon and Vice President Agnew in a meeting with the Cabinet. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon. William P. Rogers, Secretary of State. David M. Kennedy, Secretary of the Treasury. Melvin R. Laird" Secretary of Defense. John N. Mitchells, Attorney General. Winton M. Blount, Postmaster General. Walter J. Hickel, Secretary of the Interior. Clifford M Hardin, Secretary of Agriculture. Maurice H. Stans, Secretary of Commerce. James G. Hodgson, Secretary of Labor. Eliot H. Richardson, Secretary of HEW. George W. Romney, Secretary of HUD. John A. Volpe, Secretary of Transportation. Rocco Siciliano, Under $ecretary of Commerce. Casper Weinberge, Deputy Director, OMB. Paul W. McCracken, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers. Robert Podesta, Assistant Secretary of Commerce. Steve Schanes, Director, Office of Program Planning, Commerce. Henry kissinger, John Ehrlichman, unidentified aide.

    Roll WHPO-4081 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4081-02-07, The President seated at the conference table during a meeting with his Cabinet. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, Melvin R. Laird, George W. Romney, David Kennedy, Spiro Agnew, Casper Weinberger, John N. Mitchell, Eliot H. Richardson.

    Roll WHPO-4082 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4082-02A-05A, The President meeting with officers of the National Medical Association, including Eliot H. Richardson, Secretary of HEW. 8/5/1970, Washington, D. C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Eliot H. Richardson, James Whittico, Julius Hill, Charles Bookert, Emerson Walden, Andrew Thomas, John Kenney, Lloyd Kirkpatrick, Robert H. Finch, Robert J. Brown.

    Roll WHPO-4083 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4083-01-11, President Nixon meeting with the North Carolina State Advisory Committee on Public Education. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, North Carolina State Advisory Committee on Public Education members.

    Roll WHPO-4084 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4084-01-19, The President meeting with the North Carolina State Advisory Committee on Public Education. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Cabinet Room. President Nixon, North Carolina State Advisory Committee on Public Education members.

    Roll WHPO-4101 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4101-05-10, President Nixon meeting with Spanish Minister Lopez Bravo. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Lopez Bravo.

    Roll WHPO-4102 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-4102-04-12, President Nixon meeting with Spanish Minister Lopez Bravo. 8/5/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Lopez Bravo.

  • 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-076
      Remarks by Vice President Agnew concerning J. Glenn Beall. (8/5/1970, University Club, Washington D.C.)

      Runtime: 0:02:24

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

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original. Technical notes: 2 minutes and 36 seconds of silence at end of recording removed from access copies.

    G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

    • WHCA-SR-G-059
      Press briefing by Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans, with Ronald Ziegler. (8/5/1970, Press Lobby)

      Runtime: 9:00

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

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

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-231
      Press briefing by Ronald Ziegler, Dwight Ink, and Norman Pederson. (8/5/1970, Press Center, White House)

      Runtime: 24:00:00

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

      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.

  • 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-3811
      Weekly News Summary - Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      36. Reynolds: Charles Manson murder trial; Judge Charles Older denies Charles Manson's mistrial motion. Time Code Start: 49:08. Keywords: Presidents, statements, criticisms, courts, trials, killings, deaths, crimes, violence, homicides, murders, shootings, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV. Network: ABC.

      37. Wordham/Artist Bill Lignante: Charles Manson trial; Defense attorneys claim President Nixon's guilt accusation biased jurors, Judge Charles Older doesn't think so; Linda Kasabian continues testimony. Time Code Start: 49:37. Keywords: Presidents, statements, criticisms, courts, trials, testimony, testify, women, killings, deaths, crimes, violence, homicides, murders, shootings, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV. Network: ABC.

      38. Smtih: Cambodian bombing. Time Code Start: 51:09. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings. Network: ABC.

      39. Smith: Middle East. Time Code Start: 51:52. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: ABC.

      40. Scali: Middle East. Time Code Start: 52:31. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: ABC.

      41. Reynolds: Middle East. Time Code Start: 53:52. Keywords: Middle East, Mideast, war. Network: ABC.

      42. Brinkley: Charles Manson trial jurors saw "Manson Guilty, Nixon Declares" newspaper headline; Judge Charles Older denies defense mistrial motion. Time Code Start: 54:22. Keywords: Presidents, statements, criticisms, courts, trials, killings, deaths, crimes, violence, homicides, murders, shootings, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV. Network: NBC.

      43. Oliver: The Charles Manso trial. Time Code Start: 54:53. Keywords: courts, trials, investigations, prosecutions, murder, movies, celebrities. Network: NBC.

      44. Brinkley: Cambodian bombings; Cambodians directing American planes; Senator Mike Mansfield warns United States may be getting into new war. Time Code Start: 56:56. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings, Senate, criticisms. Network: NBC.

      45. Cronkite: Cambodian bombing; Cambodians report United States air support in battle for Kirirom, planes support Cambodians near Skoun, Cambodia. Time Code Start: 57:26. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings. Network: CBS.

      46. McLaughlin: Cambodian bombing. Time Code Start: 57:26. Keywords: Cambodia, Vietnam War, bombings. Network: CBS.

      47. Cronkite: Charles Manson trial focus on President Nixon's accusation of Manson's guilt. Time Code Start: 59:21. Keywords: Presidents, statements, criticisms, courts, trials, killings, deaths, crimes, violence, homicides, murders, shootings, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV. Network: CBS.

      48. Kurtis/Artist Howard Brodie: The Charles Manson trial; Judge Charles Older denies mistrial motion, thinks jurors unaffected by Nixon claim; Linda Kasabian testimony. Time Code Start: 59:29. Keywords: Presidents, statements, criticisms, courts, trials, testimony, testify, women, killings, deaths, crimes, violence, homicides, murders, shootings, media, newspapers, magazines, the press, television, TV. Network: CBS.
    • WHCA-3812
      Weekly News Summary - Pt. II.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      1. Smith: Film report on nerve gas dumping (disposal) plan; Army wants to dump nerve gas as soon as possible; Dr. Howard SANDERS - says dumping gas into sea best of miserable choices. Time Code Start: 00:00. Keywords: disposal, dumping, destruction, chemicals, biological weapons, biological warfare, chemical weapons, VX, organophosphate compounds, poison gas, nerve agents. Network: ABC.

Context (External Sources)