Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 039-033
Date: Tuesday, May 29, 1973 at 1:52 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/039-033

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hello?
[0:01] Yes, sir, Steve Ball.
[0:02] I noticed that they seem to have that business with the Chinese journalists set up for the cabinet room and the rest.
[0:09] And I don't think that's a good idea, because I don't want to sit around and sit down and answer questions and, you know, you understand?
[0:16] Yes, sir.
[0:17] I just want a stand-up deal.
[0:19] Why don't you just have them in the office and have a picture taken in 15 minutes?
[0:22] You see what I mean?
[0:24] They're planning a long session here now, weren't they, or something?
[0:27] No, they were planning up to 30 minutes, sir.
[0:30] What?
[0:31] Questions?
[0:34] Uh, no, I'd rather do that.
[0:37] Okay.
[0:37] I thought Al Hagan talked to you.
[0:38] No, don't get him in this.
[0:40] You can work this out.
[0:41] Right.
[0:42] You understand, I just don't want a law.
[0:44] I just don't think it's a good idea to have a question and answer session with a bunch of foreign journalists at this point.
[0:50] We weren't going to have questions.
[0:52] Discourage that and recommend that it be discouraged.
[0:55] We'll do it in the office, Spencer.
[0:57] I think I'll do it in the office, and I'll make a welcoming statement, and they can respond, and the press should have a photo opportunity, and then they come in and they get the hell out.
[1:06] All right, sir.
[1:07] Fine.
[1:07] You see what I mean?
[1:08] And so that we can not have a situation where we sit around and jazz, because I don't...
[1:13] I don't want to do that with foreign journalists.
[1:15] I'm not doing it with journalists here, you see.
[1:17] All right, sir.
[1:17] There's quite a sizable number.
[1:19] Fine, fine.
[1:20] There can be 30.
[1:21] We can put them in there.
[1:22] All right, sir.
[1:22] Fine.
[1:23] Put them in there.
[1:23] Just have them all come in, stand up, and have a picture taken.
[1:27] See?
[1:27] Very good, sir.
[1:28] And that's the way I think is the best way to handle it.
[1:30] Just do it that way, okay?
[1:31] We will do it.
[1:32] Yes, sir.
[1:32] And put the haircut at 330, please.
[1:35] Fine.
[1:35] Thank you.
[1:36] Yes, sir.