President Nixon and the White House operator discuss the sensitive diplomatic nuances surrounding U.S. policy toward Taiwan ahead of future negotiations. Nixon expresses firm resistance to abrogating existing treaty commitments while weighing the challenges of securing mutual pledges for a peaceful resolution. The exchange highlights the strategic difficulty of managing conflicting positions between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China regarding the status of the island.
On February 2, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:13 am and 9:14 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 664-003 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 664-3 Date: February 2, 1972 Time: Unknown between 9:13 am and 9:14 am Location: Oval Office The President talked with the White House operator. [See Conversation No. 20-18]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.