Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (2/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (2/2)
[01.08.57-DEAN discusses further the PRESIDENT'S knowledge of WATERGATE and COVERUP] Mr. DEAN. And that would be a document which was forwarded to the President that I was just referring to. as we ended our conversation, and it is exhibit No. 34-36, for talking points for a meeting with the Attorney General. This was a request that I prepare this by Mr. Haldeman and send it not through normal channels for a meeting but rather directly to him because of the sensitivity Of the documents. [READING] Background, Kleindienst is biding his time until he returns to private law practice. He has discussed joining several law firms and has a particularly attractive offer from -one. that he would probably like to accept, Kleindienst is less than enthusiastic about helping to solve some of the tough problems relating to the forthcoming Watergate hearings, He does not want to get himself involved in any controversy at this time. The morale of the Department of Justice is low because they are extremely loyal to Kleindienst but they think the White House is trying to force him out. Kleindienst is extremely loyal to the President and will do anything asked of him by the President. [01.10.02] Kleindienst should be asked to remain in office at least one full year from this date, that is until after the Watergate hearings have passed because the hearings may well result in a request for additional action by the Department of Justice. We can't afford bitterness at the Justice Department nor can we risk a new Attorney General being able to handle some of the potential problems. Kleindienst should be asked to follow the hearings closely and keep us apprised of any potential problems from a Department -of Justice standpoint. Kleindienst should be given a feeling that he is an important member of the team and not merely because of these hearings is he being asked to stay on. [01.10.41] Senator BAKER. Of Course, Mr. Kleindienst did not stay on; is that right? Mr. DEAN. His resignation was accepted, I believe, on April 30. Senator BAKER. Just out of curiosity, is it your personal knowledge that Mr. Kleindienst's resignation was not requested but rather was tendered by Mr. Kleindienst? Mr. DEAN. That is my understanding. Senator BAKER. Go ahead, sir. [01.11.15] Mr. DEAN. The first meeting that 1 had after these series of documents were exchanged and I got, I was told of the results of the, meetings. in the first instance by Mr. Haldeman and subsequently by the President himself when I met with him, that meeting was on February 27 and it was at this meeting that the President asked me to report directly to him on all Watergate matters. There had been a great exchange of this type of memorandums back and forth into the President's office and out. He indicated to me at that time, that this was consuming a great deal of time of Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Ehrlichman, and that at that time he also indicated to me that they were principals and he felt that I could be more objective in this matter, [01.12.15-DEAN discusses a meeting with NIXON in which NIXON asked DEAN to report directly with him] We had, I think, a lengthy discussion about that this morning with one of the members of the panel. As I indicated, it was at this meeting that the President also repeated what had earlier been reported to me by Mr. Haldeman, about your meeting with the President, in which you had told the President that you suggested he waive executive privilege. He had told you that he was going to hold the line at written interrogatories and he asked me what did I think about that, and I said I certainly thought that written interrogatories could be handled. He also discussed the fact that he didn't want Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Ehrlichman to appear on the Hill. [01.13.08]