I consider the Secretary of State to be my chief foreign policy adviser.

It is vitally important to the future of this country that the morale of that career service be kept at its highest level possible.

The tasks of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency belong to the most important of my administration.

I do want to urge everyone here who has responsibility for preparing any materials that come to my office, that I am interested in, and want to see, points of view that may differ from those that eventually may become the policy of this…

Now that we have had the prayers, we are back here to get the advice so that I can go back to the Senate and get the consent for everything that we have to do from now on.

GERARD SMITH has the experience, the knowledge, and the dedication for this job.

I also am aware of the fact that in the presence of a Secretary of State I may be in the presence of someone who may turn out to be my successor in this office.

A policy is improved by having the decision maker consider the options and consider the alternatives.

I know that Mr. Smith will address them with all the urgency and emphasis that they deserve.

I believe that as we look at what is happening in the negotiations in Paris, as far as the American side is concerned we are off to a good start.

I believe that it is in the best interests of the Nation, when a new administration comes in, with a new team, that the President direct the new team, as I have directed it very strongly during this first week, to reexamine all decisions…

I favor strategic arms talks.

My reply was that I would not object to President Johnson's submitting such-submitting names to the Senate, just as I did not object to his action in the trans-Pacific case or in any other area.

Yes, I have examined it.

We are considering what actions can be taken which will not cause an unacceptable rise in unemployment.

Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of February 1969 as American Heart Month, and I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and officials of…

Well, Mr. Kaplow, the major problems with which I have been concerned in this first week have been in the field of foreign policy, because there only the President can make some of the decisions.

There is no suggestion, in asking for a reexamination of that decision, of impropriety or illegality or improper influence.