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Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-086-005
Sound recording of a meeting between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Special Representative for Trade Negotiations Christian Herter, and Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs Carl Kaysen. According to the President's Appointment Books this meeting took place on May 13, 1963, from 4:20-4:50 p.m., between President Kennedy and trade advisors. They met to review linear cuts and other specifics on international trade agreements. One segment of the recording totaling 77 seconds has been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 12958. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 86, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 86 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-086-004
Sound recording of a meeting between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. From the way the tape itself plays, it seems as though this NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) meeting took place immediately following the Haiti meeting, which was most likely held on May, 13, 1963, though the date cannot be confirmed conclusively. President Kennedy, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and Secretary of State Dean Rusk discuss a House Foreign Affairs Committee report on NATO that was just partially released, as well as commentary of NATO military force levels, financial budgets of each of the countries, and the upcoming meeting in Ottawa, Canada. Cuba and the civil rights situation in Birmingham, Alabama, are also briefly mentioned. Two segments of the recording totaling 17 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 12958. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 86, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 86 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-086-001
Sound recording of a National Security Council Meeting on India held on May 9, 1963. Identified participants in this meeting include: President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Maxwell Taylor, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Assistant Secretary of State Phillips Talbot, Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell Gilpatric, Ambassador to India Chester Bowles, Acting Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) Frank Coffin, Assistant Secretary of Defense William Bundy, and Member of the National Security Council Robert Komer. President Kennedy discusses with his staff the sale of mobile air defense units to India and potential diplomatic consequences. There is also extensive conversation on the possibility of providing a defense commitment to India in the case of a Chinese attack on the sub-continent and the use of nuclear weapons in the defense of countries in Asia instead of the introduction of large numbers of US soldiers. General Maxwell Taylor is first to bring up the issue of nuclear weapons versus ground troops. President Kennedy speaks briefly, and then General Taylor’s point is affirmed strongly by Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. Eight segments of the recording totaling 2 minutes and 43 seconds have been removed for reasons of national security. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 86, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 86 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-085-005
Sound recording of a meeting held on May 8, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Admiral George W. Anderson. They discuss Admiral Anderson's expiring term as Chief of Naval Operations. It is clear from Admiral Anderson's tone that he believes that Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara has been extremely critical of Admiral Anderson’s handling of the TFX affair. (The TFX fighter plane contract was awarded to General Dynamics over Boeing. Members of the military had complained that they had preferred the Boeing plans, and that these recommendations were not taken into account by Secretary McNamara in the final decisions. The United States Senate later began an investigation of this contract award.) Admiral Anderson criticizes Secretary McNamara’s handling of the Department of Defense (DOD) in general. The President is quiet for most of the meeting, but does discuss Admiral Anderson taking an Ambassadorship to Portugal. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 85, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. See Related Records to access Tape 85 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-085-004
Sound recording of an undated meeting, possibly held on May 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss various issues concerning the Department of Defense (DOD), including the military situation in Vietnam, the Congressional budget fight on military spending in Vietnam and personnel issues in DOD, specifically the nomination of a new Deputy Secretary of Defense. The exact date of this meeting is uncertain since it does not appear in the President’s Appointment Books. Secretary McNamara refers to his discussion "yesterday" on the same issues, which could refer to the SECDEF (Secretary of Defense) Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, that took place on May 6, 1963. One segment of the recording totaling 1 minute and 50 seconds has been removed for reasons of national security. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 85, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 85 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-085-003
Sound recording of a meeting held on May 6, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. Secretary Rusk reports to the President on his trip to India and Pakistan. Four segments of the recording totaling 2 minutes and 17 seconds have been removed for reasons of national security. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 85, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 85 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-085-002
Sound recording of a meeting held on May 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and his guests, twenty members of the organization Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) present for a lobbying session. The President takes the opportunity to pitch the successes of his administration’s legislative agenda to this liberal action group that on occasion had been critical of some of the moves of his administration. Earlier that day the New York Times ran an Associated Press photograph by Bill Hudson of a police dog lunging at a civil rights protester in Birmingham, Alabama. The President comments on the shock of the photograph at several points during the meeting and states with frustration, “I mean what law can you pass to do anything about police power in the community of Birmingham? There is nothing we can do… The fact of the matter is that Birmingham is in worse shape than any other city in the United States and it’s been that way for a year and a half… I think it’s terrible the picture in the paper. The fact of the matter that’s just what (Bull) Connor wants. And ah, as I say, Birmingham is the worst city in the south. They have done nothing for the Negroes in that community, so it is an intolerable situation, that there is no argument about.” The President goes on to pointedly comment that in a recent meeting with a newspaperman, the reporter commented, "‘Isn’t it outrageous in Birmingham’ and I said, 'Why are you over there eating at the Metropolitan Club every day? You talk about Birmingham and you’re up there at the Metropolitan Club … they wouldn’t even let Negro ambassadors in.’ So now he (the reporter) said, ‘Well we want to work from the inside,’ and I said, ‘Well your one contribution is that now they won’t let white ambassadors in.’ (laughter) Most of your novelists that you read every day… they’re all over there at the Metropolitan Club… so I think that we have worked hard on civil rights. I think it is a national crisis." This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 85, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 85 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-085-001
Sound recording of a meeting held on May 3, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, British Ambassador to the United States David Ormbsy-Gore, and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They discuss the subject of United Kingdom participation in the multilateral force (MLF), with Ambassador Ormsby-Gore relaying the opinions of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan concerning the specifics of the program. The previous Nassau meeting and President Kennedy's upcoming trip to Europe are also mentioned. British Guiana is discussed near the end of the meeting, but that portion is closed pending appropriate agency reviews. Four segments of the recording totaling 6 minutes and 47 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 12958. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 85, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 85 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-121-004
Sound recording of a meeting held on November 20, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman, and later in the meeting Under Secretary of Agriculture Charles S. Murphy. They discuss the European Economic Community’s (EEC) recently announced “Mansholt” plan on European grain and cereal prices. They also discuss international commodity agreements, market sharing proposals, protectionism and what President Kennedy should say during his scheduled meeting with Chancellor of West Germany Ludwig Erhard later in the month. This final Presidential Recording ends with President Kennedy on the telephone discussing a recent statement by Dean Acheson; it ends with President Kennedy in mid-sentence. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 121/A57, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. See Related Records to access Tape 121/A57 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-121-003
Sound recording of a meeting on Indonesia held on November 19, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, United States Ambassador to Indonesia Howard Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman, and National Security Council (NSC) Member Michael Forrestal. They discuss President of Indonesia Ahmed Sukarno and other matters concerning Indonesia, specifically a proposed visit to Indonesia by President Kennedy in 1964 or 1965; the upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., by General Nasution of Indonesia; PL480 rice shipments; and the Lockheed contract to service Hercules Aircraft. Five segments of the recording totaling 2 minutes and 57 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 121/A57, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 121/A57 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-121-002
Sound recording of a brief meeting held on November 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Included are mentions of the Otto Otepka security case at the Department of State and the tax issues of Ed Gullion. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 121/A57, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 121/A57 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-121-001
Sound recording of part of a meeting held on November 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Special Assistant to the President Lawrence F. O’Brien, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee John Bailey, Special Assistant to the President Kenneth O’Donnell, Special Counsel to the President Theodore Sorensen, and Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee Dick Maguire. The recording of this meeting begins on Tape 120/A56. Participants discuss plans for the 1964 Democratic National Convention. This very long and involved meeting with advisors covers a proposed apportionment rules change, southern delegates, committee positions and assignments, the advantage and disadvantage of requiring loyalty of delegates, the program for the Convention, and films for the Convention. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 121/A57, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 121/A57 in its entirety or the beginning of this recording on Tape 120/A56.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-120-004
Sound recording of part of a meeting held on November 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Special Assistant to the President Lawrence F. O’Brien, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee John Bailey, Special Assistant to the President Kenneth O’Donnell, Special Counsel to the President Theodore Sorensen, and Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee Dick Maguire. They discuss plans for the 1964 Democratic National Convention. This very long and involved meeting with advisors covers a proposed apportionment rules change, southern delegates, committee positions and assignments, the advantage and disadvantage of requiring loyalty of delegates, the program for the Convention, and films for the Convention. The recording of this meeting ends abruptly and continues on Tape 121/A57. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 120/A56, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. See Related Records to access Tape 120/A56 in its entirety or the remainder of this recording on Tape 121/A57.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-120-003
Sound recording of a meeting on defense contracts held on November 8, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. This brief discussion touches on a variety of subjects including the TFX aircraft contract issue, the futures of General Thomas Power and General Curtis LeMay, the 1964 presidential campaign, the FY1965 (Fiscal Year 1965) Budget review and stockpile discussion with Congress, and Admiral George W. Anderson’s conduct during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 120/A56, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 120/A56 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-120-002
Sound recording of a meeting held on November 8, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of Commerce Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges, Under Secretary of Agriculture Charles S. Murphy, and Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. The recording of this meeting begins on Tape 119. Participants discuss talks with the Soviet Union regarding terms and conditions of the delivery system of U.S. wheat to the Soviet Union, the effect on U.S. shipping, and the basis for Soviet action. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 120/A56, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 120/A56 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-120-001
Sound recording of part of a meeting held on November 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of Commerce Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges, Under Secretary of Agriculture Charles S. Murphy, and Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. The recording of this meeting begins on Tape 119/A55. Participants discuss talks with the Soviet Union regarding terms and conditions of the delivery system of U.S. wheat to the Soviet Union, the effect on U.S. shipping, and the basis for Soviet action. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 120/A56, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 120/A56 in its entirety or the beginning of this recording on Tape 119/A55.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-006
Sound recording of part of a meeting held on November 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of Commerce Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges, Under Secretary of Agriculture Charles S. Murphy, and Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. They discuss talks with the Soviet Union regarding terms and conditions of the delivery system of U.S. wheat to the Soviet Union, the effect on U.S. shipping, and the basis for Soviet action. The recording of this meeting ends abruptly and continues on Tape 120. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety or the remainder of this recording on Tape 120/A56.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-005
Sound recording of a meeting about Berlin, Germany, held on November 5, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union Llewellyn Thompson, and President Kennedy’s Personal Representative in Berlin General Lucius Clay. Topics of discussion include the stopping of a United States convoy in Berlin, a review of the situation, speculation on its significance, alternative courses of action, press guidance, the Soviet Union’s November celebration, diplomatic representation, the use of small force, Soviet ship movements, and possible Allied action. They also discuss the Ambassadorial Group, Soviet press coverage, and a possible conversation with the Canadian foreign minister. There is further discussion of the possible situation that may arise in Berlin and the possible U.S. response and contingency plans. One segment of the recording totaling 1 minute has been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-004
Sound recording of two meetings held on November 5, 1963. The first is a meeting about the Dominican Republic between President John F. Kennedy, United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic John Bartlow Martin, United States Ambassador to Chile Ralph Dungan, Assistant Secretary of State Edwin Martin, and Deputy Chief of Mission from the Department of State Spencer King. They discuss prospects for constitutional elections in the Dominican Republic, an assessment of the situation there, and prospects for the future. Second is a meeting about foreign policy between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They discuss convoys in Berlin, Germany, and action by the Soviet Union against the French and the British and French stance. They also discuss problems concerning the ticketing of Russian journalists by police in Washington, D.C.; Berlin convoy access; and William Attwood and Prime Minister of Cuba Fidel Castro.
This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-003
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on November 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Under Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman, and Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman. Assistant Secretary Hilsman provides a briefing on Vietnam covering whether or not United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge should return to the United States for a briefing, the restoration of constitutional government in Vietnam, and information on the deaths of President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-002
Sound recording of a meeting held on November 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, and Under Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman. They discuss the delivery of wheat on American ships to the Soviet Union, alternatives, and related discussions with American unions. Other topics of discussion include a review of the coup situation in Vietnam; Berlin, Germany; plans for a visit by President of France Charles DeGaulle; and the allocation of resources by the Soviet Union. Also Under Secretary Ball talks to Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz on the telephone. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-001
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on November 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Military Advisor to the President General Maxwell Taylor, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, and Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman. Topics include an assessment of the coup in Vietnam, the issue of recognition of the new regime, reports of deaths of President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu, and a review of the developments leading to coup. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-118-005
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on November 1, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Far East Division William Colby, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Military Advisor to the President General Maxwell Taylor, and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. Topics include a report on the military coup in Vietnam, the constitutional government in Vietnam, a press conference and statement, United States troop movements, incoming cables, and briefing Senator Richard Russell (Georgia). Additional topics include Morocco and Algeria, Cuba, administrative procedures, a vote on United Nations (UN) relief in the Caribbean, and U-2 aircraft. After the meeting, Director of the CIA John McCone makes a telephone call. President Kennedy and Director McCone also discuss the Dominican Republic with topics covering the country's election schedule, political parties, the counter-coup of a few days before, and instructions for U.S. staff. Three segments of the recording totaling 2 minutes and 34 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 118/A54, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 118/A54 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-118-004
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on October 30, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman. They discuss the drafting of a message to United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge, communications, the chain of command, an assessment of the present situation, and United States staffing in Vietnam. Four segments of the recording totaling 12 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 118/A54, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 118/A54 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-118-003
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on October 29, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Far East Division William Colby, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Military Advisor to the President General Maxwell Taylor, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara; Director of the CIA John McCone, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss an intelligence report on Vietnam, the orientation of various Vietnamese forces, a 1960 coup attempt, messages to United States staff in Vietnam, whether or not United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge should return to the United States, the chain of command, and convoy procedures for Berlin, Germany. Seven segments of the recording totaling 27 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 118/A54, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 118/A54 in its entirety.