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Conversation 900-001

TapeTape 900StartWednesday, April 18, 1973 at 7:58 AMEndWednesday, April 18, 1973 at 8:11 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler strategized on the public narrative regarding the Watergate scandal, focusing on the President’s recent discovery of new facts and his subsequent collaboration with Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen. They discussed drafting a formal statement to address the potential involvement of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman while emphasizing the need for full disclosure. The meeting also included logistical planning for upcoming consultations with staff members and legal counsel regarding the President's handling of the ongoing investigation.

Watergate scandalH.R. HaldemanJohn EhrlichmanHenry PetersenPublic relations strategyExecutive privilege
AudioNARA Description

On April 18, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:58 am and 8:11 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 900-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 900-1

Date: April 18, 1973
Time: Unknown between 7:58 am and 8:11 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler. This recording began at an unknown time while the
meeting was in progress.

     Watergate
          -President’s statement
                -President’s knowledge
                -President’s investigation
                      -Henry E. Petersen
                -President’s feelings concerning grand jury
                -Petersen
                -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman
          -Possible statement by Haldeman

An unknown man entered at an unknown time after 7:58 am.

     President’s schedule
           -Meeting with Petersen

The unknown man left at an unknown time before 8:11 am.

     Watergate
          -Haldeman, Ehrlichman
          -Ziegler meeting with Leonard Garment
                -President’s knowledge
                -President’s schedule
                      -William P. Rogers

Ziegler left at an unknown time before 8:11 am.
                                              -2-

                  NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      (rev. July-2012)
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.

This has been an issue that has been drug out for too long, dragged out for too long.
You've become aware of information based upon the breaking press reports, the grand jury testimony, and the graveyard.
Information was not calling to your attention.
You initiated on your own a very intensive pressing of the staff or however it's called.
You have found out certain facts.
These facts led you to call the Attorney General over
led you to take the action of Peterson.
You have long felt, as you have, and stated, that the grand jury procedure, the rights of individuals, the fairness to individuals, is something that must be maintained in the system and throw the weight to the grand jury.
However, Mr. Peterson, in the course of the readouts from the grand jury testimony, has drawn certain conclusions in relation to men in the White House
in addition to what you found out.
And now it's the need in action.
Then indicate that in your discussions with your staff members, members of your staff, they feel that... And then you move into the... No, that's right.
There must be no question of any involvement, whatever, in anybody else, in any activities at this site.
Therefore, is that what you mean?
Well, I mean, that's one thing that we can say.
Now, depending on the legality of the third option there, and this is not early so much as it would be Bob, following this disclosure would be a total statement
in other words, total disclosure, and based upon Haldeman's role in history, role in this unique position of responsibility, finding new facts which you... Oh, you know me?
Yes.
You didn't want to see him.
No, I didn't want to see this fall first, but
Well, Bob and John wanted me to... That's very, very helpful.
I'm going to listen, and then we need to raise this.
Very helpful.
I'll get it.
I'll see you later.
I'll talk to Dermot and tell him to cut his suggestions down to about five minutes.
Well, frankly, why don't you tell him that I'm way ahead of him?
I will.
Yes, I will.
So far ahead.
I'm surprised he wants to see you in 10 minutes.
Well, I'm way ahead of him.
He wants to present to him that I should.
What time do you want to see him?
I need to get that one done at 4.30.
Well, can you tell him that you have presented this to all of us?
Yes, sir.
I'm going to tell him.
I've got it.
And I said, well, that's fair.
I have exactly that in mind.
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