Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 011-066
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 1971 at 1:59 PM
Participants: Kissinger, Henry A.; Richardson, Elliot L.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/011-066

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hello?
[0:02] Yes, I have, Secretary Richardson.
[0:04] Hello?
[0:05] Hello, Henry.
[0:06] 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.
[0:28] Go over there and discuss.
[0:31] how to bolster their health and education systems.
[0:35] It's a new term in the new era of peace.
[0:38] Well, you'd go primarily as the...
[0:42] I'd like to, Henry.
[0:46] The only problems I foresee are congressional.
[0:51] How long would it be?
[0:53] Oh, the inauguration is October 31st, and of course you'd have to be there, you'd want to be there the day before
[1:01] But I think two days in the country.
[1:05] May I case the situation and call you back for a while?
[1:08] Yes.
[1:09] If he wants me to go, I'll go anyway.
[1:11] Well, I know he wants you to go.
[1:12] I know he wants you to go.
[1:13] And really, because we are not just looking for anybody.
[1:21] We want somebody who has a clear expertise in foreign policy.
[1:26] and who is at the same time identified with foreign affairs and has a humane field of interest.
[1:36] Well, of course, when you narrow the specifications down that precisely, I'm obviously the only possible person.
[1:44] Okay, Henry.
[1:45] Okay.
[1:45] Be glad to.
[1:46] As a matter of fact, it should be damn interesting.
[1:48] Good.
[1:49] Thanks.
[1:50] Bye.
[1:51] Bye.