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Conversation 011-073

TapeTape 11StartTuesday, October 12, 1971 at 9:41 PMEndTuesday, October 12, 1971 at 9:44 PMTape start time01:43:39Tape end time01:46:32ParticipantsKissinger, Henry A.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On October 12, 1971, Henry A. Kissinger and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 9:41 pm to 9:44 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 011-073 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 011-073

 Date: October 12, 1971
 Time: 9:41 pm - 9:44 pm
 Location: White House Telephone

 Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.

 [See Conversation No. 291-8]

        Nguyen Van Thieu's inauguration
            -John B. Connally
                 -Kissinger’s previous conversation
                 -Melvin R. Laird

                    -Elliot L. Richardson
                    -Itinerary
                           -Japan
                           -Wife
                           -Presidential plane
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Dr. Kissinger, sir.
Yeah.
Mr. President, Mr. Kissinger.
Oh, Mr. President.
Yeah.
I've just talked to Connolly, and he said if the president wants him to go, of course he'll go.
Good.
And I think it's a tense strike.
Yeah.
He took it all right, did he?
Oh, well, you know, he's a big man.
Yeah.
I told him the truth.
Yeah.
And I said Laird couldn't change his program, even though he'll be there three days later.
And Richardson said it's his domestic program.
He said, hell, my domestic program can't be heard.
And I haven't got a schedule that the president can't change.
I'll be damned.
And he said, and he thinks it's a good idea, too.
Did he?
Yeah.
Well, he sees the big play.
Oh, yeah.
Well, he's a big man.
It'll show, too, Henry, that we're standing by an ally, you know.
Mr. President, if we had thought about it, I'm a little bit embarrassed that I didn't.
Yeah.
He is the best man you could have sent.
Former Secretary of the Navy, and he's known to be the second man in the government.
Above all, he's the strongest man in the Cabinet.
That's right.
He's a guy with guts.
That's right.
I mean, it'll really tear these other people to pieces.
Well, let's...
dad will really put it to them yeah well i think it's an inspired idea i will uh
We'll keep it all closely held, and then we'll talk to him about it Thursday when you get back.
Right.
And work it out.
Don't you think so?
Oh, yeah.
Well, he's all agreed.
We don't have to do any more.
My God, that's good.
Isn't that something?
He said, if the president wants me, I have no schedule problem.
But that's what every cabinet member should say.
They don't say that, though.
They say they always determine what the hell is in their interest.
And he said, I'm not...
I said, you won't have to be identified with the policy because everyone knows that you didn't really...
originated, you're just going there as the president's representative.
He said, hell, I want to be identified with the policy.
I'm in favor of it.
Isn't that something?
Well, that's good.
That's good.
That's really good.
I really think it could be the right thing.
I know it's the right thing.
By God, you know, just show up some of these other clowns.
And that's it.
That's what it will exactly do.
That will put them to shame.
Did you mention coming back via Japan?
Yeah, he likes that idea.
And I told him, of course, he can take his wife, and he said he'd want to do that.
Well, by all means, he should, and we'll send him on the presidential plane, too.
I mean, it'll be a really goddamn good trip.
Right.
Good.
Well, that's a terrific thing.
Good.
Good, Henry.
Well, that's good.
Thank you.
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