[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 199 (Friday, October 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 53460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26174]



[[Page 53460]]

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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION


Nixon Presidential Historical Materials; Openings of Materials

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration.

ACTION: Notice of opening of materials.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the opening of additional Nixon 
presidential historical materials. Notice is hereby given that, in 
accordance with section 104 of Title I of the Presidential Recordings 
and Materials Preservation Act (``PRMPA'', 44 U.S.C. 2111 note) and 
1275.42(b) of the PRMPA Regulations implementing the Act (36 CFR Part 
1275), the agency has identified, inventoried, and prepared for public 
access abuse of governmental power portions of Nixon White House tapes 
among the Nixon Presidential historical materials.

DATES: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) intends 
to make the abuse of governmental power portions of the Nixon White 
House tapes described in this notice available to the public beginning 
November 18, 1996. In accordance with 36 CFR 1275.44, any person who 
believes it necessary to file a claim of legal right or privilege 
concerning access to these materials should notify the Archivist of the 
United States in writing of the claimed right, privilege, or defense 
before November 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The materials will be made available to the public at the 
National Archives at College Park, located at 8601 Adelphi Road, 
College Park, Maryland.
    Petitions asserting a legal or constitutional right or privilege 
which would prevent or limit access must be sent to the Archivist of 
the United States, National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi 
Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karl Weissenbach, Acting Director, Nixon Presidential Materials Staff, 
301-713-6950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA is proposing to open 1,941 segments of 
Nixon White House tapes related to abuse of governmental power from 931 
separate conversations recorded from February 1971--April 1972, and 
July 1972--July 1973. These segments total approximately 201 hours of 
listening time.
    The first opening of Nixon White House tapes, on May 28, 1980, 
included 12 and \1/2\ hours of conversations used as evidence in 
Watergate trials. The second opening, on June 4, 1991, included 47 and 
\1/2\ additional hours of conversations obtained by the Watergate 
Special Prosecution Force but not played in court. The third opening, 
on May 17, 1993, included approximately 3 additional hours of abuse of 
governmental power segments for the months of May and June 1972.
    There are no transcripts for these tapes. Tape logs, prepared by 
NARA, are offered for public access as a finding aid to the tape 
segments and a guide for the listener. There is a separate tape log 
entry for each segment of conversation released. Each tape log entry 
includes the names of participants; date, time, and location of the 
conversation; and an outline of the content of the conversation.
    The tape recordings will be made available to the general public in 
the research room at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland, Monday 
through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Listening stations will be 
available for public use on a first come, first served basis. NARA 
reserves the right to limit listening time in response to heavy demand. 
No copies of the tape recordings will be sold or otherwise provided at 
this time. No sound recording devices will be allowed in the listening 
area. Researchers may take notes. Copies of the tape log will be 
available for purchase.

    Dated: October 8, 1996.
John W. Carlin,
Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 96-26174 Filed 10-10-96; 8:45 am]
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