Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 20 › Conversation 020-103

Nixon phone call with Rockefeller on People's Republic of China

Thursday, February 17, 1972 · 8:28 AM–8:31 AM ET · White House Telephone · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Rockefeller, Nelson A.Conversation020-103 on Tape 20 (tape position 03:16:54–03:19:56)StartThursday, February 17, 1972 at 8:28 AMEndThursday, February 17, 1972 at 8:31 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 020-103 ↗

AI Summary

Governor Nelson Rockefeller called President Nixon to express strong support for the President’s upcoming historic trip to the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing the initiative's significance for global peace. The two discussed the complex negotiations regarding Taiwan and the positive public reception reflected in recent Gallup polling. To ensure continued collaboration, the President committed to having Henry Kissinger provide Rockefeller with a formal briefing on the trip upon his return.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

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Hello?

Governor Nelson Rockefeller.

Hello?

Mr. President.

Yeah, hi, how are you?

Great.

I just called last night to tell you that I just think this is the most exciting and significant initiative that's been taken.

And I just think we're all so grateful to you.

Well, very kind to call, and we're...

going to leave in about an hour.

And in the meantime, as you know, it's a real tough road because the negotiations, particularly on Taiwan, will be very hairy.

But on the other side, the coin, we couldn't miss the opportunity to try to see that these two countries that hold the future of the world in their hands are

have some chance to avoid fighting in the next few years.

I just think what you're doing is the greatest thing for the history, the future history, let's put it, of our country that is happening.

and I was thrilled to see this Gallup poll arise this morning, and I think these are the things the public loves.

They just admire what you're doing.

Let me say that while we're talking that I can't tell you how grateful I've been for your support in the foreign policy field and also

as I wrote you a little note for your remarks at the dinner the other night.

We've got a hard, I know, but we have a hard year, but, you know, all these things, everything from the economy to this and that and the other thing, but I really think that we've got a great opportunity to pull things together.

Okay, well, give our best of happy, and when we get back, why...

I'll see that Henry gets to New York.

He goes up anyway, and maybe you'd like to get a little private briefing.

And if you don't, I'm going to brief the intelligence panel anyway at your next meeting.

So we'll do it one way or the other, okay?

You're the greatest, Mr. President.

I just think it's fabulous.

Good luck now.

Well, see you and take care.

Bye.

Okay, thanks for calling.

Bye.

NARA Description

On February 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Nelson A. Rockefeller talked on the telephone from 8:28 am to 8:31 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 020-103 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 20-103

Date: February 17, 1972
Time: 8:28 am - 8:31 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Nelson A. Rockefeller.

[See Conversation No. 674-7]

     Rockefeller view of People’s Republic of China [PRC] trip
         -Gratitude for effort

     The President’s schedule

     Prospects for success of trip
          -Taiwan, Republic of China negotiations
          -Peace potential
          -Benefits from trip
          -George H. Gallup poll
          -Gratitude for Rockefeller aid
                -Dinner remarks

     PRC trip
         -Opportunities

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 04/30/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[020-103-w002]
[Duration: 44s]

      Problems for Democrats
            -John V. Lindsay
                    -Miami
            -Strife within party
            -John V. Lindsay
                    -Nelson A. Rockefeller opinion
                            -Impact on Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy presidential run
                    -Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy presidential prospects
                            -President’s opinion

**********************************************************************

     Best wishes to Margaretta (“Happy”) Rockefeller

     Follow-up to trip
          -Rockefeller briefing
                -Henry A. Kissinger
          -Intelligence panel briefing

Also recorded on February 17, 1972

020-102 8:11 AM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:11 am and 8:28 am.
674-001 8:11 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:11 am and 8:15 am.
674-002 8:11 AM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:11 am and 8:15 am.
674-003 8:15 AM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:15 am to 8:24 am.
674-004 8:24 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:24 am and 8:28 am.
674-005 8:24 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:24 am and 8:28 am.
674-006 8:24 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:24 am and 8:28 am.
674-007 8:28 AM · 27 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Nelson A. Rockefeller met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:28 am to 8:31 am.

All 24 conversations from February 17, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 020-103, February 17, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/020-103 (accessed October 12, 2026).