On October 12, 1971, Henry A. Kissinger and Elliot L. Richardson talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:59 pm and 9:07 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 011-066 of the White House Tapes.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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?
Yes, I have, Secretary Richardson.
Hello?
Hello, Henry.
Elliot, the President and I were talking about this due inauguration, and he was wondering whether you could agree to go as his representative to it as a former Undersecretary of State, and at the same time, it doesn't give it quite the bellicose tone that Laird would give it.
Go over there and discuss.
how to bolster their health and education systems.
It's a new term in the new era of peace.
Well, you'd go primarily as the...
I'd like to, Henry.
The only problems I foresee are congressional.
How long would it be?
Oh, the inauguration is October 31st, and of course you'd have to be there, you'd want to be there the day before
But I think two days in the country.
May I case the situation and call you back for a while?
Yes.
If he wants me to go, I'll go anyway.
Well, I know he wants you to go.
I know he wants you to go.
And really, because we are not just looking for anybody.
We want somebody who has a clear expertise in foreign policy.
and who is at the same time identified with foreign affairs and has a humane field of interest.
Well, of course, when you narrow the specifications down that precisely, I'm obviously the only possible person.
Okay, Henry.
Okay.
Be glad to.
As a matter of fact, it should be damn interesting.
Good.
Thanks.
Bye.
Bye.