Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 15 › Conversation 015-064

Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on Richard M. Helms

Saturday, November 20, 1971 · 10:27 AM–10:45 AM ET · White House Telephone ·20 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  White House operatorConversation015-064 onTape 15 (tape position 01:47:57–01:48:17)StartSaturday, November 20, 1971 at 10:27 AMEndSaturday, November 20, 1971 at 10:45 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 015-064 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with the White House operator regarding how to relay a message to CIA Director Richard Helms, who was currently traveling. After learning that Helms was unreachable until later in the afternoon, the President decided against utilizing General Robert E. Cushman, Jr. as an intermediary. Instead, Nixon instructed the operator to inform Helms’s office that National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger would personally deliver the communication.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah.
Director Helms is en route to the shore.
Should get there around quarter of one.
They want to know if General Cushman could help you.
Or do you want me to try to reach Director Helms when he arrives?
No, I'll tell you.
I have a message for him.
You can tell his office, but Dr. Kissinger will deliver it to him.
Alright.

NARA Description

On November 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:27 am and 10:45 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 015-064 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 15-64

Date: November 20, 1971
Time: Unknown between 10:27 am and 10:45 am
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with the President.

[See also Conversation No. 621-18H]

     Richard M. Helms
          -Location
          -Robert E. Cushman, Jr.
          -Message
               -Henry A. Kissinger

Also recorded on November 20, 1971

  • 015-060 10:23 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:23 am.
  • 015-061 10:23 AM · 12 sec — the White House operator and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:23 am and 10:24 am.
  • 015-062 10:23 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:23 am and 10:24 am.
  • 015-063 10:24 AM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and John B. Connally talked on the telephone from 10:24 am to 10:27 am.
  • 015-065 10:45 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:45 am and 10:50 am.
  • 015-066 10:45 AM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:45 am and 10:50 am.
  • 015-067 10:45 AM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:45 am and 10:50 am.
  • 015-068 10:45 AM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:45 am and 10:50 am.

All 41 conversations from November 20, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 015-064, November 20, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/015-064 (accessed September 18, 2026).