Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 16 › Conversation 016-124
Nixon phone call with Graham on International Monetary Agreement
Sunday, December 19, 1971 · 7:44 PM–7:55 PM ET · White House Telephone · 11 min
AI Summary
President Richard Nixon and evangelist Billy Graham discussed a range of political, diplomatic, and cultural topics, including the recent International Monetary Agreement and ongoing trade negotiations led by John Connally. The two also addressed geopolitical tensions, specifically U.S. military retaliatory strikes against North Vietnam and the regional instability caused by the India-Pakistan War. Additionally, Graham expressed his support for the Nixon administration, characterizing the current era as a major religious revival in America while commending the President’s leadership.
- International Monetary Agreement
- Vietnam War
- India-Pakistan War
- Religion
- Trade Policy
- Billy Graham
Audio
Transcript (AI-generated)
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NARA Description
On December 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William F. ("Billy") Graham talked on the telephone from 7:44 pm to 7:55 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 016-124 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 16-124
Date: December 19, 1971
Time: 7:44 pm - 7:55 pm
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with William F. (“Billy”) Graham.
Graham’s schedule
-Trip to Africa, January 1972
President’s schedule
-Edward R.G. Heath
-Willy Brandt
Thelma C. (“Pat’) Nixon
-Trip to Africa with Graham
-Christmas wishes from Graham
International Monetary Agreement
-John B. Connally
-Georges J.R. Pompidou
-Meeting at the Azores, December 12-14, 1971
Farmers
-Trade with Europe and Japan
-Citrus and grain
Connally
**********************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 06/18/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[016-124-w003]
[Duration: 1m 26s]
The President’s schedule
-Trip to New York
-December 18, 1971
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s wedding anniversary
-Attendance at Marble Collegiate Church
-Sermon by Norman Vincent Peale
-Christmas decorations
-William F. (“Billy”) Graham’s radio station
William F. (“Billy”) Graham’s health
-Mayo Clinic
-Recommendations
-Blood pressure
-Familial history
**********************************************************************
Democrats
-Problems
Vietnam
-North Vietnam shooting down US planes
-Bombing
-Retaliation by US
India–Pakistan War
-Graham’s travels to India
-Graham’s sympathy towards India
**********************************************************************
[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2012-005. Segment declassified on 05/28/2015. Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[016-124-w004]
[Duration: 1m 14s]
India–Pakistan War
-US position
-Prohibit India from destroying Pakistan
-Support of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]
-West Pakistan
-Relative poverty of the two nations
-William F. (“Billy”) Graham’s opinion
-Middle East
-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] ambitions
-Need for US to block in India
-Potential use of Egypt against Israel
-William F. (“Billy”) Graham’s conversation with Golda Meir
**********************************************************************
Congratulations from Graham
-Monetary realignment
-Increase in jobs
-Positive network coverage
**********************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 06/18/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[016-124-w005]
[Duration: 1m 22s]
William F. (“Billy”) Graham and Ruth McC. (Bell) Graham’s schedule
-Visit to the White House
-Christmas decorations
-January 30-31, 1972
William F. (“Billy”) Graham
-Mayo Clinic
-Running habits
Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo
-News story
-The President’s advice
**********************************************************************
Young people
-Jesus movement
-Reverend Peale
-Dallas meeting
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
-Revival of religion
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Privacy (D) reviewed under PRMPA regulations 06/18/2019. Segment
cleared for release.]
[Privacy]
[016-124-w006]
[Duration: 19s]
William F. (“Billy”) Graham
-Income
-One million per week
-Compared to National Council of Churches
******************************************************************************
Cambodia
Support for President
-President’s forthcoming trip to Charlotte, North CarolinaAlso recorded on December 20, 1971
- 016-125 7:55 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 7:55 pm.
- 016-126 7:55 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and John B. Connally talked on the telephone from 7:55 pm to 8:01 pm.
- 016-127 8:02 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:02 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 016-124, December 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/016-124 (accessed October 11, 2026).