Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 20 › Conversation 020-140

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

Wednesday, March 1, 1972 · 11:29 AM–11:32 AM ET · White House Telephone · 42 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Walker, Ronald H.Conversation020-140 on Tape 20 (tape position 04:50:14–04:50:56)StartWednesday, March 1, 1972 at 11:29 AMEndWednesday, March 1, 1972 at 11:32 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 020-140 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called Ronald H. Walker to commend him and his team for their successful logistical efforts during the President’s recent trip to the People’s Republic of China. Nixon acknowledged the demanding nature of the assignment and expressed pride in their performance while noting the Chinese officials' observations regarding the team's youth. The conversation concluded with Nixon encouraging the fatigued Walker to take a planned trip to Florida to recover his health.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Hello.
I have Mr. Ron Walker, Mr. President.
Yeah.
Hello.
Mr. President.
Hello.
Yes, sir, Mr. President.
Well, from all accounts, I want you to know that we just thought you and your boys did a fantastic job over there.
I know you must be bushed, so get some time off.
But all the talks with our Chinese friends, they remarked about how young all of you were, but I imagine you've added 10 years to your lives.
Well, sir, I feel very, very proud that I could participate in it.
You must be.
You got a little cold?
Yes, sir, a little bit.
You're going to Florida?
Yes, sir, I am.
I appreciate that very much.
That'll fix you up.
Well, you deserve the rest.
I know you do appreciate it.
Thank you, sir, very much.

NARA Description

On March 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Ronald H. Walker talked on the telephone from 11:29 am to 11:32 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 020-140 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 20-140

Date: March 1, 1972
Time: 11:29 am - 11:32 am
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with the President.

     Ronald H. Walker on the line

Walker talked with the President between 11:31 am and 11:32 am.

[See Conversation No. 676-22B]

     Walker's effort in People’s Republic of China [PRC]
         -Remarks by Chinese
         -Walker's health
                -Florida trip

Also recorded on March 1, 1972

  • 020-137 11:22 AM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 11:22 am.
  • 020-138 11:22 AM · 24 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:22 am and 11:27 am.
  • 020-139 11:22 AM · 54 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:22 am and 11:29 am.
  • 676-017 11:22 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at 11:22 am.
  • 676-018 11:22 AM · 28 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:22 am and 11:26 am.
  • 676-019 11:22 AM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:22 am and 11:26 am.
  • 676-020 11:22 AM · 26 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:22 am and 11:26 am.
  • 676-022 11:26 AM · 51 min — President Richard M. Nixon, George P. Shultz, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Ronald H. Walker, Manolo Sanchez, Henry A. Kissinger, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:26 am to 12:17 pm.

All 40 conversations from March 1, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 020-140, March 1, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/020-140 (accessed October 12, 2026).