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Notes Scoured for Watergate Key

Hope to fill in gaps with cutting-edge forensics

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2009 8:47 AM CST

(Newser) – Forensic scientists think their latest tools could solve one of the enduring mysteries of American politics: what was said in the 18 1/2 minutes missing from the Watergate tapes? The answer may lie in the yellow notepad on which Nixon's chief of staff, HR Haldeman, took notes on his meeting with Nixon on June 20, 1972—the day the tape was erased.

A newly assembled forensic team will use advanced tools like electrostatic detection analysis to seek evidence that Haldeman destroyed some of his notes or even to detect the faint imprint of the missing words. One Nixon historian excited about the project hazarded a guess that "Nixon asked Haldeman if anyone in the White House had advance knowledge of the Watergate break-in" during the erased minutes. He could find out whether he's right in early 2010, when forensic test results are expected.


In this 1973 file photo, Rose Mary Woods, President Richard Nixon's secretary, demonstrates the Rose Mary Stretch which could have resulted in the erasure of part of the Watergate tapes.
In this 1973 file photo, Rose Mary Woods, President Richard Nixon's secretary, demonstrates the "Rose Mary Stretch" which could have resulted in the erasure of part of the Watergate tapes.   (AP Photo/File)
In this Dec. 19, 1969, file photo President Nixon walks with his assistant HR Haldeman from the Executive Office Building to the White House for a Cabinet meeting.
In this Dec. 19, 1969, file photo President Nixon walks with his assistant HR Haldeman from the Executive Office Building to the White House for a Cabinet meeting.   (AP Photo/File)
One of two pages of notes taken by White House chief of staff HR Haldeman during a June 20, 1972, meeting with President Richard M. Nixon.
One of two pages of notes taken by White House chief of staff HR Haldeman during a June 20, 1972, meeting with President Richard M. Nixon.   (AP Photo/Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration)
Two pages of notes written by President Richard Nixon's chief of staff HR Haldeman from a June 20, 1972, meeting with Nixon, that will undergo forensic analysis to see if they hold clues to one of the Watergate scandal's enduring mysteries.
Two pages of notes written by President Richard Nixon's chief of staff HR Haldeman from a June 20, 1972, meeting with Nixon, that will undergo forensic analysis to see if they hold clues to one of the...   (AP Photo/Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration)
In this Feb. 16, 1969, file photo, President Richard M. Nixon, is shown at his desk in the White House.
In this Feb. 16, 1969, file photo, President Richard M. Nixon, is shown at his desk in the White House.   (AP Photo/File)
In this Saturday, Nov. 17, 1973 file photo, President Richard Nixon speaks near Orlando, Fla.
In this Saturday, Nov. 17, 1973 file photo, President Richard Nixon speaks near Orlando, Fla.   (AP Photo)
Nixon presidential library archivist looks at boxes which along with thousands of hours of tape recordings from the Nixon White House, were released on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Yorba Linda, Calif.
Nixon presidential library archivist looks at boxes which along with thousands of hours of tape recordings from the Nixon White House, were released on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Yorba Linda, Calif.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
So_Cal_Larry
Nov 21, 2009 2:33 AM CST
In the world of politics, there is no one whom I have despised more than Richard Nixon.

 
Watergate • Richard Nixon • forensic science • forensic experts • Watergate missing tape • forensic Watergate

 
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