Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 032-053
Date: Thursday, October 26, 1972 at 12:36 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Andrews, John K., Jr.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/032-053

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:01] Mr. John Andrews on the line, sir.
[0:03] Yes, sir.
[0:06] With regard to the defense speech, I know that Haldeman has already passed on to you the thoughts that read carefully what I said in San Francisco.
[0:15] I mean, you'll probably get the nuances of that with regard to small countries.
[0:19] Do you understand what I mean?
[0:20] Yes, sir, about the insufficiency of a nuclear deterrent.
[0:23] A nuclear deterrent is nothing except where great powers are concerned.
[0:28] It has nothing to do
[0:30] gives no assurance where things break out and other things now the other thing is that use the uh andrea marrow's quote with regard to the u.s is the only part of the world that became a great power without seeking to become one the whole theme here is of course that the united states is one that should be trapped with power it's fortunate we have the power and uh for uh the uh
[1:00] the idea that we would never use our power for conquest, et cetera.
[1:07] You see what I mean?
[1:08] Yes, sir.
[1:08] That theme that you've often used.
[1:11] Right.
[1:11] But use Mauro's quote.
[1:13] Mauro.
[1:14] Mauro.
[1:15] Right.
[1:16] You know, Mauro.
[1:17] Yes, sir.
[1:17] I know him.
[1:18] But he has a quote on that.
[1:19] The U.S. is the only power in the history of the world
[1:23] world power without intending to do so or something like that.
[1:27] Okay?
[1:28] We'll get that.
[1:28] Okay.
[1:29] And I've been studying the Allegiant speech and the San Francisco speech and I'm...
[1:32] The main thing is the whole thrust of this is that being number two means the world is in deadly jeopardy.
[1:41] You can use in this instance you can well I wouldn't do it in a public speech the Israel thing that Israel would be in deadly jeopardy because of this.
[1:49] You mentioned Israel as an example of a small country that would be threatened.
[1:52] No, that's right.
[1:53] That's right.
[1:54] As an example, that is, we would not have been able, when the crisis occurred, the Syria and so forth, we wouldn't have had a sixth fleet.
[2:02] We couldn't have moved in.
[2:03] The United States must not have the second strongest fleet in the world.
[2:07] Maybe.
[2:07] We've got to be first.
[2:11] And this is for Saturday?
[2:13] If we can, yes.
[2:14] Yes, sir.
[2:14] We'll have it ready.
[2:15] I'll have a draft, I think, by the end of the day.
[2:17] Good day.
[2:18] Thank you very much.