Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 24 › Conversation 024-036

Higby & Haldeman on Vietnam War and George Aiken

Monday, May 8, 1972 · 10:52 PM–11:22 PM ET · White House Telephone · 23 sec

ParticipantsHigby, Lawrence M.; Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation024-036 on Tape 24 (tape position 00:46:50–00:47:13)StartMonday, May 8, 1972 at 10:52 PMEndMonday, May 8, 1972 at 11:22 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 024-036 ↗

AI Summary

Lawrence M. Higby briefs H. R. Haldeman on Senator George Aiken’s strong public support for President Nixon’s decision to blockade Vietnam. Aiken specifically credits the President for holding the Soviet Union responsible for the conflict while warning that a premature American withdrawal would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe similar to the events in Bangladesh. This feedback reinforces the administration's strategic messaging regarding the necessity and geopolitical implications of the blockade.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yep.

Mr. Haldeman?

Yes.

Mr. Higby wants you.

All right.

Hi, McGregor talked to Aiken.

He's firmly on board.

He's put out a very strong supportive statement.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

He says it puts the blame exactly where it belongs on the Russians.

If the president were to evacuate, it would result in a greater bloodbath in Bangladesh.

Okay, fine.

Okay?

NARA Description

On May 8, 1972, Lawrence M. Higby and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-036 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 24-36

Date: May 8, 1972
Time: Unknown between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Lawrence M. Higby talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

[See also Conversation No. 336-69W]

     Vietnam
          -Blockade
               -The President's speech
                    -George G. Aiken's conversation with Clark MacGregor
                          -Support for the President
                                -Soviets
                          -Responsibility
                                -Evacuation implications
                                     -Bangladesh

Also recorded on May 9, 1972

024-028 10:47 PM · 41 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and George Meany talked on the telephone from 10:47 pm to 10:48 pm.
024-029 10:49 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Edward R. F. Cox talked on the telephone from 10:49 pm to 10:52 pm.
024-030 10:52 PM · 8 sec — H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm.
024-031 10:52 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm.
024-032 10:52 PM · 20 sec — the White House operator and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm.
024-033 10:52 PM · 4 min — H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and William F. ("Billy") Graham talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm.
024-034 10:52 PM · 4 min — Charles W. Colson and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm.
024-035 10:52 PM · 53 sec — Charles W. Colson and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:52 pm and 11:22 pm.

All 96 conversations from May 9, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 024-036, May 9, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/024-036 (accessed October 9, 2026).