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Conversation 009-015

TapeTape 9StartWednesday, September 15, 1971 at 11:59 AMEndWednesday, September 15, 1971 at 12:01 PMTape start time00:30:38Tape end time00:32:24ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss a statistical analysis regarding the correlation between U.S. foreign aid recipients and the democratic legitimacy of those nations' leaders. Nixon tasks Haig with refining a previous report to identify which aid-receiving countries lack leaders elected through contested democratic processes. This request reflects the President's desire to evaluate foreign policy commitments against strict democratic standards within a tight thirty-minute deadline.

Foreign aidDemocratic electionsForeign policyStatistical analysisRomaniaYugoslavia
AudioNARA Description

On September 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 11:59 am to 12:01 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-015 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-15

Date: September 15, 1971
Time: 11:59 am - 12:01 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 277-5]

     World leaders
         -Contested Democratic elections
               -Report to the President
               -List of countries

     Foreign aid
          -Countries
                -Romania
                -Yugoslavia
                -African countries
                -Leaders
                      -Contested elections

          -Economic
          -Military
          -Point Four
          -Food
          -Countries
                -Leaders elected in contested elections
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Did you get that information with regard to the number of countries that have leaders that were elected as a result of contested democratic elections?
Yes, I did, sir, and I sent it in to you.
I'll get it right over.
It must be in the system somewhere.
It's not very good.
It's almost 50% by the standards that the
popular mind would attribute to it.
And I've got the list of the countries.
That's right.
Well, now, I want to get it broken down in a different way.
I want you to pick out the countries that we give aid to.
Now, let me say in terms of aid, as you probably know, we give aid to Romania, right?
Yes, sir.
Do you remember the flood?
Yugoslavia, right?
Right.
We give aid to most of the African countries.
They're small programs, but to most of them, correct?
Yes, sir.
Understand, now, when I say a leader elected in a contested election, I mean it must be one that meets our standards.
All right, sir.
So that's my test.
And I want you to get me a figure over here, and I'd like it in a half hour.
All right, sir.
Leaders, I mean, I want the number of countries the United States gives aid to around the world.
That's line one.
Of any kind, economic, military, point four, foreign, I mean, food, et cetera, et cetera.
And second, the number of, that I want the number of those countries to whom we give aid who do not have leaders that wouldn't
who are leaders as a result of a democratic election popularly contested.
Okay?
All right, sir.
Fine.
Okay.
Good, sir.
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