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Conversation 009-052

TapeTape 9StartThursday, September 16, 1971 at 9:17 PMEndThursday, September 16, 1971 at 9:19 PMTape start time01:40:48Tape end time01:43:58ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  White House operator;  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with Alexander Haig to discuss the reception of his recent press conference, specifically regarding his sharp rhetoric against Senate efforts to cut foreign aid. Nixon defended his stance as necessary, arguing that the legislative threats were irresponsible and suggesting a broader policy of cutting aid to numerous African nations if the Senate persisted. The two evaluated the political fallout of the remarks and briefly touched upon contingency plans for compromise should their legislative position weaken.

Foreign aidPress conferenceU.S. SenateLegislative strategyRichard NixonAlexander Haig
AudioNARA Description

On September 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 9:17 pm to 9:19 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-052 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-52

Date: September 16, 1971
Time: 9:17 pm - 9:19 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with the White House operator.

     Henry A. Kissinger
          -Location

     Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Press conference
           -Haig's view
           -Nguyen Van Thieu
           -African countries

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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 02/28/2019.]
[Unintelligible]
[009-052-w001]
[Duration: 1m 10s]

     Press conference
           -Nguyen Van Thieu
           -Media
           -[First name unknown] McCord?
                 -Paris

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     Press conference
           -Draft issue
                -Senate
                -F. Edward Hébert

*****************************************************************

[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 02/28/2019.]
[Unintelligible]
[009-052-w002]

[Duration: 22s]

     [Tape malfunction]

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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.

Hello?
Mr. President, Mr. Kissinger is out at a restaurant.
General Haig is in the office.
Oh, I'll talk to Haig.
No, I... General Haig.
Hello, Al?
Yes, sir.
I thought you probably got a kick out of that news conference, did you happen to see it?
Sure, I just thought it was...
I think I stuck the grind into him a little.
Did you talk to some people?
We had to say that.
And I think on two, we put that in context.
If they want to cut off aid, let's cut it off to 60 damn African countries too.
Well, you know, that goddamn Senate, they are so disgraceful.
Well, I said it would be the most irresponsible act I could think of.
By God, we've got to say that.
It's true.
I think it's true.
You think so?
Well,
Hope so.
If we lose it tomorrow, then by God, we'll go to Abare and say, look, we've got a compromise.
Yeah.
Right.
Okay, Joe.
All right.
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