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Conversation 005-124

TapeTape 5StartThursday, June 17, 1971 at 8:46 PMEndThursday, June 17, 1971 at 8:48 PMTape start time03:46:30Tape end time03:47:47ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed strategies regarding the fallout of the Pentagon Papers, specifically focusing on the potential for a public statement from former President Lyndon B. Johnson. Kissinger confirmed that Walt W. Rostow and William J. Jordan were drafting a statement for Johnson, though he expressed reservations about Nixon aligning himself too closely with the former administration on this issue. They agreed to defer a final decision until the next day’s staff meeting, where they would review the draft and provide a formal recommendation to the President.

Pentagon PapersLyndon B. JohnsonPublic relationsWalt W. RostowHenry KissingerWhite House strategy
AudioNARA Description

On June 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 8:46 pm to 8:48 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-124 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 5-124

Date: June 17, 1971
Time: 8:46 pm - 8:48 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.

     Pentagon Papers
          -Kissinger's conversation with Walt W. Rostow
          -Lyndon B. Johnson's possible statement
          -William J. Jordan
          -Kissinger's conversations with Bryce N. Harlow and Charles W. Colson
          -Possible Johnson public statement
          -Effect
          -White House Telephone staff discussion June 18, 1971
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Dr. Kissinger calling you, sir.
There you are.
Hello.
Mr. President?
Yeah, hi.
I've just reached Rostow.
Yeah.
And he's now willing to support his statement.
Yeah.
And we talked in general about what it might contain.
Yeah.
And he and Jordan are going to draft it tonight.
Yeah.
I have also talked to Harlow and... Colson, yeah.
Colson.
And I have my doubts about a presidential statement by chance because you might be better off fighting this one alone without having him as an ally.
But what I thought, Mr. President, if you agree, is that we might talk it over at our staff meeting tomorrow.
All right, fine.
And then make a recommendation to you in the meantime.
They are drafting the LBJ statement anyway, so nothing is being held up.
All right, fine.
Yeah, they can't reach him tonight, I understand, so that's fine.
But they will have a draft statement for him in the morning, and we will then be able also to make a recommendation to you, and if you want it, they'll make it.
All right, fine.
That's fine.
Let me know in the morning.
Okay, Henry, thank you.
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