Page:The Watergate Road Map.pdf/53

 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.

FOU\#58707(URT516380)Dodd:70105890Page53