President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke with William Downey to inform him that the People's Republic of China, following negotiations with Chou En-lai, had agreed to release his brother, John T. Downey, on the following Monday. The participants discussed the timing of the official White House announcement scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and acknowledged the urgency of the release due to concerns regarding the health of John Downey’s mother. The call concluded with William Downey expressing gratitude for the administration's successful intervention.
On March 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and William Downey talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:35 pm and 2:46 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 037-071 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 37-71 Date: March 9, 1973 Time: Unknown between 2:35 pm and 2:46 pm Location: White House Telephone The President and Henry A. Kissinger [?] talked with William Downey. [See Conversation No. 418-5C] Message from People's Republic of China [PRC] -Chou En-Lai -Release of John T. Downey -Henry A. Kissinger -White House announcement -William Downey’s reaction -William and John Downey’s mother’s health [?] - 47 - NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY (rev. Sept-09)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.