45.
On May 22, 1973, the President said in a public statement
that "At no time did I . . 2 know about any offer of
Executive clemency for the Watergate defendants." On
August 15, 1973, the President publicly reaffirmed that
statement, adding that he had consistently maintained since
July 1972 a positicn'that under'no circumstances could
executive clemency be considered for those who participated
in the Watergate break-in." On November 17, 1973, the
President in a publicly televised question and answer session
said that while clemency "was not recommended by any member
. of.my staff . . - it was on occasion suggested as a result
of news reports that clemency might become a factor," but
the President said he "turned it down whenever it was
suggested."
45.1 Transcript of a question and answer session by the
President with A. P. Managing Editors, November 17, 1973, New York Times clips, November 18, 1973, p. 2.
Item 44.1. Item 44.2, p. 6.
Item 44.3, p. 3.
Item 41.1, tape recording and transcript of a meeting on February 28, 1973, Tr. 39—40.
Item 5.1, tape recording and transcript of a meeting on the morning of March 21, 1973, Tr. 19, 23, 38, 42- 43, 56—57.
Item 20.2.
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