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Conversation 034-062

TapeTape 34StartWednesday, December 13, 1972 at 11:26 AMEndWednesday, December 13, 1972 at 11:28 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the status of Vietnam peace negotiations following Haig's recent communication with Henry Kissinger. They address Kissinger’s exhausted state and sensitive mood upon his return, agreeing to postpone a meeting until he has rested. Haig commits to sending Kissinger a message that conveys the President's strategic input regarding future planning and Vice President Agnew's upcoming trip in a manner that avoids unnecessary friction.

Vietnam WarHenry KissingerDiplomatic negotiationsAlexander HaigSpiro AgnewWhite House communications
AudioNARA Description

On December 13, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 11:26 am to 11:28 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 034-062 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 34-62

Date: December 13, 1972
Time: 11:26 am - 11:28 am
                                                -51-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Dec.-07)

                                                             Conversation No. 34-62 (cont’d)

Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 381-1A]

       Vietnam negotiations
            -Haig’s recent conversation with Henry A. Kissinger
                  -Kissinger’s return
                        -Timing
                  -Themes for press
                        -Ronald L. Ziegler
            -Kissinger’s schedule
            -Message for Kissinger
                  -The President’s recent meeting with Haig
            -Kissinger’s mood
                  -Haig’s recent conversation with Kissinger
                        -Vice President Spiro T. Agnew’s trip
            -Message for Kissinger
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

General Haig, Mr. President.
Yeah.
Thank you.
The President, sir.
Ah, hello.
Yes, sir.
Yeah.
I just talked to Henry.
Yeah.
He said there was more of the same.
Yeah, sure.
That he'll get on the plane at 9 tonight.
He gave me three general themes for the press, which I've given to Ron.
Yeah.
And he also said that this won't get him in here until
Well, we won't meet tonight then.
I thought we ought to hold off.
I'll tell him to go to bed.
Fine, sir.
And I told him I'd send him a message with your thinking based on our meeting this morning.
He's very, very touchy and tired, obviously.
Yeah.
Well, you can mollify the thing so it doesn't sound, you know— Yes, sir.
They've given him a rough time, huh?
Yes, apparently.
He's in one of those low moods, but I think I'll give him a beat message and we'll just—when he gets some rest he'll be better.
What's gotten him so touchy?
Well, I think—I told him on the phone that you agree generally with his analysis, but that we wanted to think and discuss certain aspects of the—
to be taken and the upcoming trip.
And the Agnew trip, right.
And then he sort of flew back on that.
Felt that he should decide on it.
Well, that's right.
That's all right.
We are normal.
Right.
And I'll get a message off and just put these things, questions in a way that he can think about them.
Right, right.
But not in a way designed to— I understand.
Right.
Okay, good.
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