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Conversation 043-038

TapeTape 43StartWednesday, February 7, 1973 at 1:00 PMEndWednesday, February 7, 1973 at 1:01 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss how Secretary of State William P. Rogers should respond to harsh public criticisms of U.S. Vietnam policy made by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While National Security Council staff advised a 'no comment' approach, Nixon explicitly overrules them and authorizes Rogers to publicly rebuke Gandhi's remarks. Nixon instructs Haldeman to have Rogers use the President's previous correspondence regarding peace efforts as the basis for his response.

William P. RogersIndira GandhiVietnam WarU.S. Foreign PolicyDiplomatic Relations
AudioNARA Description

On February 7, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 1:00 pm to 1:01 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 043-038 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 43-38

Date: February 7, 1973
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:01 pm
Location: White House Telephone

H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman talked with the President.

       William P. Rogers’s press conference
             -Indira Gandhi’s comments to press
                   -US policy in Asia
                        -Vietnam War
                   -Rogers’s response
                        -National Security Council [NSC] view
                        -The President’s view
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Question.
I have Mr. Haldeman calling.
Okay.
Nayak.
Hello.
Yes, sir.
Bill Rogers is about to go out to his regular press conference, and he wants your approval to hit back at Mrs. Gandy.
Did you see the statement she made?
No.
Well, she, as reported by the wires, bitterly attacked American policy in Asia today despite quiet diplomatic efforts in recent weeks to soothe the strained relations.
And she said she at the...
would this sort of war the savage bombing which has been taking place been tolerated so long if the people have been european i can't help feeling the very manner of ending the vietnam war may create new tensions and all that the nsc guys feel that he should not take her on he feels very strongly that he can't no comment and that he's got to say something
What he'd like to say is read from your letter about, you know, seeking peace in the area and all that stuff, and then saying it's difficult to comprehend and unwelcome remarks.
No, I don't agree with the NSC people.
Let him do it.
Okay.
All right.
Thank you.
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