← 040-049040-051 →

Conversation 040-050

TapeTape 40StartTuesday, June 12, 1973 at 11:16 PMEndTuesday, June 12, 1973 at 11:17 PMParticipantsHaig, Alexander M., Jr.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

Alexander M. Haig, Jr. informed President Nixon that Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev had agreed to visit San Clemente, while simultaneously canceling a planned stop in Houston. Nixon expressed enthusiasm for the visit, emphasizing his desire to host Brezhnev as a personal guest in his own home to facilitate private, secure, and relaxed discussions. Haig was instructed to confirm these arrangements with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin and ensure the security and lodging details were settled for the upcoming summit.

Leonid BrezhnevSan ClementeUS-USSR relationsSummit diplomacyAnatoliy Dobrynin
AudioNARA Description

On June 12, 1973, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 11:16 pm to 11:17 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 040-050 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 40-50

Date: June 12, 1973
Time: 11:16 pm - 11:17 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked with the President.

     President’s schedule
           -Leonid I. Brezhnev’s forthcoming visit
                 -San Clemente
                                        -Confirmation from Union of Soviet Socialist
                       Republics [USSR] government
                 -Houston
                       -Cancellation
                 -Travel companions
                       -Family
                 -Media coverage
                       -Photographs
                 -Haig’s conversation with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
                 -Haig’s conversation with Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft
                       -Information of Bezhnev’s decision
                       -Dobrynin
                 -Telephone call to Dobrynin
                 -San Clemente
                       -Security
                       -Lodgings
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I have General Haig calling.
Hello.
Mr. President?
Yeah.
Sir, I thought since you were up, I'd let you know that the Soviets now have agreed that Brezhnev would like to go to San Clemente.
Great.
And that's great.
But he doesn't want to go to Houston.
He wants to go straight to San Clemente.
Well, just he and I will go to San Clemente, you see.
Right.
And we'll land at the...
He's bringing his family.
Huh?
He's not bringing any family.
Fine.
Life or children.
Great.
That's marvelous.
and he goes to san clemente and he and i will have the greatest pictures in the world and we'll have two or three days of relaxation walking on the beach there'll be the great pictures and that'll make the trip outstanding but be sure that he knows that's what i want he's going to stay with me as my personal guest in my own house yes sir does he know that you better call to bring it and tell him to be sure to bring a nose
That it's in my house that he's going to stay, huh?
Fine, sir.
Excellent.
Okay.
Great, sir.
Who'd you get this message from?
I just talked to Scowcroft about it.
Well, who'd he get it from?
Well, he got it from Dobrynin, I'm sure, tonight.
Well... Yeah, from Dobrynin tonight.
If you could call Dobrynin back, then, either, even you or Scowcroft.
Okay, sir.
Do your best, but say that I am delighted and that I can assure him it will be one that is totally...
Not only secure, but pleasant.
Just he in our house on a base that is totally restricted so we can have long talks in my house.
He will stay in my house with me.
Boy, he'll love that.
All right.
That's good.
Fine.
Fine.
Right, right.
← 040-049040-051 →