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July 12, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, July 12, 1971, 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, July 11, 1971

Next Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1971

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 San Clemente, California

  • 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.

    Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

  • 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. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    Chinese Representation in the United Nations

    Vol. XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971

    South Asia Crisis, 1971

    • 101. Analytical Summary Prepared by the National Security Council Staff, Washington, July 12, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–058, SRG Meeting, South Asia, 7/23/71. Secret; Exdis. Sent to Kissinger on July 21 under cover of a memorandum from Harold Saunders and Richard Kennedy, who apparently drafted the summary. (Ibid.)

    Vol. XXIX, Eastern Europe, 1969-1972

    Hungary

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    From SALT Announcement to Summit Announcement, May 27-October 12, 1971

    • 174. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, July 12, 1971

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 881, National Archives, SALT, SALT talks (Helsinki), Vol. XV, May 1–July 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Haig initialed the memorandum and wrote “Hold for HAK.” Kissinger also initialed the memorandum. In a July 18 memorandum to Haig, Merritt summarized Laird’s views. Merritt explained that Laird supported Nitze on the importance of having precise definitions in the ABM agreement and that new large radars be subjected to mutual agreement. Laird did not support Nitze on “the issue of new or exotic ABM systems. He agrees that deployment of advanced ABMs should be prohibited as long as it is very clear that prospective work on such devices is not limited.” Merritt concluded that “this corresponds with the intent of NSDM 117 which permits R&D on ABMs. We agree with Laird and would insure the appropriate wording in the agreement.” (Ibid.)

    • 175. Telegram From the Delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks to the Department of State, Helsinki, July 12, 1971, 1032Z

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 881, SALT, SALT talks (Helsinki), Vol. XV, May 1–July 1971. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis; SALT. A stamped notation on the telegram reads: “Sent to San Clemente.” Nixon and Haig were in San Clement July 6–18.

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

    Western Europe Region and NATO

    Vol. XLII, Vietnam: The Kissinger-Le Duc Tho Negotiations

    Discovering the Possible, May 1971-September 1971

    • 10. Memorandum of Conversation, Paris, July 12, 1971, 2:10-6:15 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 853, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—Vietnam Negotiations, Camp David, Vol. IX. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting took place at the North Vietnamese Residence at 11 Rue Darthé. Smyser forwarded the memorandum of conversation to Kissinger under a July 20 covering memorandum, and Kissinger approved it. (Ibid.)

      In a July 14 message to the Politburo in Hanoi, Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy reported:

      “The following conclusions may be drawn from the three most recent private meetings with Kissinger (since 31 May [including 26 June and 12 July]):

      “—After starting with just exploring our position, the U.S. has gradually moved in the direction of seeking a solution, and it wants a quick settlement. On 31 May Kissinger said that the U.S. seven-point proposal was its final proposal, but the issues he raised this time were different from his previous seven points.

      “—With regard to the content and the way the issues were presented, there was progress in that he did not demand an immediate ceasefire but instead agreed to a ceasefire when an agreement was concluded and signed. He fitted their seven points into our nine points.

      “—We stressed that we desire serious, good faith negotiations and we emphasized the need to replace Thieu. This is the most difficult problem for the Americans. It is possible that the Americans will agree to replace Thieu in exchange for the right price.” (Message from Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy to the Politburo, 14 July 1971, in Doan Duc, et al., compilers, Major Events: The Diplomatic Struggle and International Activities During the Resistance War Against the Americans to Save the Nation, 1954–1975, volume 4, pp. 292–294)

      Kissinger also reported to Nixon on July 14: “The tone of the meeting was very positive and the other side tried hard to be serous and constructive. I think we have now reached essential agreement on all issues except the political one, and their remarks in the meeting indicated that they would look at this question seriously between now and the next meeting.” Kissinger also noted that “Both Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy repeatedly said that we had to get rid of President Thieu, but Tho said that our refusal to do that would make a settlement ʻdifficultʼ to reach, rather than ʻimpossible’ (as Thuy had said earlier).” (Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970–January 1972, Document 233)

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

    Oceans Policy

    • 403. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, July 12, 1971, 4:30-6:45 p.m.

      The Senior Review Group met to consider NSSM 125 and to consider how to promote U.S. Oceans policy in international and bilateral negotiations.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H-112, SRG Minutes, Originals, 1971. Top Secret. The meeting was held in the White HOuse Situation Room. For the attached instrucitons to the U.S. delegation to the UN Law of the Sea Preparatory Committee, see Document 405.

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

    Afghanistan, 1969-1972

    • 338. Telegram 4311 From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State, Kabul, July 12, 1971, 1020Z

      The Embassy supported an urgent request from the Afghan Government for 100,000 tons of wheat under PL–480.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID(US) 15–8 AFG. Limited Official Use; Priority. Sent as a joint AID/Embassy message. The Afghan request was conveyed to the Embassy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an aide-mémoire on June 14. (Telegram 3767 from Kabul, June 15; ibid., AID(US) 15–9 AFG) On July 31 AID authorized the Embassy to begin negotiations for a PL–480 agreement for the requested amount of wheat. (AID airgram A-1632 to Kabul; ibid., AID(US) 15–8 AFG)

  • 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-6785 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6785-02A-17A, President Nixon listening to something. 7/12/1971, San Clemente, California unknown. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-6786 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6786-00A-05A, President Nixon signing the Emergency Employment Act of 1971. 7/12/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-6787 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6787-01-11, President Nixon signing the Emergency Employment Act of 1971. 7/12/1971, San Clemente, California Western White House, office. President Nixon.

    Roll WHPO-6838 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6838-04-19, Vice President Agnew at various locations in Nairobi, Kenya. Reception for Agnew at a hotel. 7/12/1971, Nairobi, Kenya airport, golf range, Inter-Continental Hotel. Spiro Agnew, unidentified officials.

    Roll WHPO-6841 Photographer: Schumaker, Byron | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-6841-03-04, Vice President Agnew being greeted upon arrival. 7/12/1971, Kenya Nairobi Airport. Spiro Agnew, unidentified officials.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-6841-05, Vice President Agnew swinging a golf club. 7/12/1971, Kenya golf driving range. Spiro Agnew, unidentified officials.

  • 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-185
      Toasts between the VP and VP Moi-Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. (7/12/1971)

      Runtime: 2:28

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

    I - Various Administration Events

    • WHCA-SR-I-087
      Operation Polorhat [not received by NARA]. (7/12/1971)

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

    K - Informal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-K-222
      Signing of Unemployment Bill-San Clemente, CA. (7/12/1971)

      Runtime: 4:00

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

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-710705
      Signing ceremony in western White House for Emergency Employment Act of 1970. (7/12/1971)

      Runtime: 1:26

      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-4516
      "The David Frost Show" with Jack Valenti. John Kerry (Vietnam Veterans Against the War), John O'Neill (Veterans for a Just Peace).
      Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
      Runtime: 01:05:34
    • WHCA-4524
      Weekly News Summary, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:30:00

      18. Smith/Jarriel: Unemployment issues rise, President Nixon's remarks on Signing the Emergency Employment Act of 1971 to create more jobs (President Nixon on film) [visual issues]. Time Code Start: 37:46. Keywords: Presidents, bills, laws, signings, statements, speeches, economy, economics, budgets, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment. Network: ABC.

      19. Smith/Zimmerman: AFL-CIO hold conference on job opportunities, criticism of President's bill to create new jobs, the Emergency Employment Act of 1971 (AFL-CIO President George Meany on film). Time Code Start: 39:43. Keywords: labor, unions, American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations. Network: ABC.

      20. Smith/Donaldson: Major General James L. Baldwin reassigned (Deputy Commander of the XXIV Corps in Vietnam). Time Code Start: 41:53. Keywords: Vietnam War, military, leaders, Fire Support Base Mary Ann (FSB) attack, admonisments. Network: ABC.

      21. Chancellor/Saarinen: Henry Kissinger meets in Paris at U.S. Embassy with U.S. delegates. Time Code Start: 43:50. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, cabinet, advisors. Network: NBC.

      22. Brinkley/Kaplow: AFL-CIO conference on job opportunities, AFL-CIO president George Meany speaks on economic issues; President Nixon's remarks on Signing the Emergency Employment Act of 1971 to create more jobs (George Meany and Richard Nixon on film). Time Code Start: 47:45. Keywords: Presidents, bills, laws, signings, labor, unions, officials, leaders, American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations, conferences, economy, employment, unemployment, jobs. Network: NBC.

      23. Cronkite/Collingwood: Overview of Henry Kissinger's visit to Paris to meet with U.S. delegates. Time Code Start: 51:11. Keywords: Paris Peace Talks, Vietnam War, Indochina War, treaty, treaties, negotiations, cabinet, advisors. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)