Conversation: 726-015
Prev:  726-014 Next: 726-016Start Date: 19-May-1972 5:25 PM
End Date: 19-May-1972 5:35 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 03:03:29
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 03:55:43
NARA Description:
On May 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 5:25 pm to 5:35 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 726-015 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 726-15 Date: May 19, 1972 Time: 5:25 pm - 5:35 pm Location: Oval Office The President met with Henry A. Kissinger. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] -Kissinger's work with John C. Stennis -Anti-ballistic missiles [ABMs] -Offensive weapons -Henry M. (“Scoop”) Jackson -ABM -Objections to provisions -Attitude on offensive weapons -Meeting in Kissinger's office -Don Maynard 52 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Jan-02) Conv. No. 726-14 (cont.) -Response on ABMs -Meeting with Kissinger -Military recommendations -Position -Meeting with Kissinger and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer -Stennis -Support -Need for lobbying -Gerard C. Smith and William P. Rogers -Understanding -Press briefing -President's statement -Caution -People’s Republic of China [PRC] -Compared to information supplied Congress -Caution -Areas to mention -Space -Environment -SALT Soviet Summit -President's meeting with Congressional leaders -Expectations -President's handling -Expectations -Kissinger's meetings -Stennis -Undersea Long-ranged Missiles [ULMS] -Others -President's speech -Raymond K. Price, Jr. and Kissinger work -Toasts -William L. Safire -Problems -Speechwriters compared -John K. Andrews, Jr. -Safire -Price -SALT references -SALT -Action in Moscow -Possible objections by “Hawks” 53 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Jan-02) Conv. No. 726-15 (cont.) -ABM -Kissinger’s view -Kissinger's discussions with Jackson -Conflict in Senate -SALT -Support -John G. Tower -Stennis -US weaponry -Multiple Independently-targeted Reentry Vehicles [MIRVs] -ULMS -Soviet Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles [ICBMs] -Status -US weaponry -Aircraft -Problems -Duration -Comparison to PRC Communiqué -Administration's position -Vietnam -President's position -SALT -Selling of Administration position -Kissinger's absence during Summit -Laird and Moorer's role -Kissinger's early return -Likelihood -Work on communiqué, five principles -ABM -President's disagreement with Jackson -Sites -SALT -Treaty -Kissinger’s view -Public response -Peter H. Dominick -Response -Kissinger’s view -Threat of funds cutoff -James L. Buckley -Dominick -ULMS -Appropriations 54 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Jan-02) Conv. No. 726-15 (cont.) -Freeze -Alternative -Submarine provision -Soviets -Number built per year -Joint Chiefs of Staff [JCS] -Support -Moorer Vietnam -Meeting with Congressional leaders -J. William Fulbright Soviet Summit -Prospects The President and Kissinger left at 5:35 pm.