Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 020-035
Date: Wednesday, February 2, 1972 at 4:29 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Flanigan, Peter M.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/020-035

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:01] Mr. Flanagan, Mr. President.
[0:05] Yes, sir.
[0:06] Well, Pete, I wanted to be sure you were aware of the fact that on that business of the trade and so forth, that, you know, that Peterson memorandum and so forth you sent in.
[0:16] I talked to Connolly a little, and the most important thing to have in mind is that, of course, Peterson can't say anything.
[0:24] We can't have any White House aide ever testifying.
[0:27] Oh, I understand, yes.
[0:28] The second point is that I want Connolly to be the lead horse on this.
[0:32] He is to present this whole thing.
[0:34] I mean, after all, it's all tied into his package.
[0:37] I got a feeling I'm not sure which memorandum.
[0:41] Well, it was a long memorandum where Peterson, about two pages of Peterson about Eberle and Peterson.
[0:48] Right, right, yes, sir.
[0:49] That one.
[0:50] But I just wanted you to be sure that I...
[0:52] When talking to Connolly, I said that you would follow up to see that that's the way it would be done.
[0:56] In other words, when Connolly testifies on the gold or whatever he wants to do on the trade, he should present the whole thing.
[1:02] I will see to it that that happens.
[1:04] He is in charge, and Pete should shut up, and so should Eberly.
[1:10] I will see to it that that happens.
[1:11] Yeah, that Connolly's in charge of this.
[1:13] Yes, sir.
[1:14] We had another little problem on a memorandum that Pete was recommending, and John had some
[1:21] some feeling about it just didn't make a lot of sense and he's right it doesn't make sense but it's in the textile area and he he says well i don't think it makes sense but i'll go along with it so i i'm sure he's not unhappy with with the fact he doesn't sort of like the overall plan puts puts david kennedy in charge of a subgroup but he's right on kennedy
[1:42] What the hell with that?
[1:43] He's in NATO now.
[1:44] Let's keep him out of it.
[1:45] Well, Mr. President, it's a subgroup of the CIEP.
[1:48] It won't work much, and it's the only way to keep the textile people happy.
[1:53] Okay, well, just explain it then to Connolly.
[1:55] I did, and he said fine.
[1:57] It doesn't make sense.
[1:58] But we'll keep him informed.
[1:59] Fair enough?
[2:00] Yes, sir.
[2:01] I certainly will do that.
[2:02] All right, Pete.
[2:04] Fine.
[2:04] Thank you.
[2:04] Thank you.
[2:05] Bye-bye.