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Conversation 046-002

TapeTape 46StartFriday, May 11, 1973 at 12:11 PMEndFriday, May 11, 1973 at 12:13 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Trudeau, Pierre E.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau called President Nixon to express personal support and sympathy regarding the political fallout from the Watergate scandal. The two leaders discussed the pressures of political life, with Nixon characterizing the scandal as the result of misguided actions by subordinates. Nixon also updated Trudeau on Henry Kissinger’s upcoming trip to Paris to meet with Le Duc Tho, promising to provide the Prime Minister with a follow-up report on the negotiations.

Watergate scandalPierre TrudeauHenry KissingerParis Peace TalksLe Duc ThoUS-Canada relations
AudioNARA Description

On May 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Pierre E. Trudeau talked on the telephone from 12:11 pm to 12:13 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-002 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-2

Date: May 11, 1973
Time: 12:11 pm -12:13 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Pierre E. Trudeau.

[See also Conversation No. 916-16A]

     Greetings

     Watergate
          -Trudeau’s view
          -President’s view

     Henry A. Kissinger’s schedule
          -Paris Talks
                -Le Duc Tho
          -Report to Trudeau
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Mr. President, Prime Minister Trudeau.
Hello.
Mr. President.
Hello.
Hello.
How are you?
Very well.
I just got back from vacation earlier this week, and I wanted to phone you to tell you how distressed I was about all this noise that is...
going on around the Watergate thing.
I want to tell you that, you know, as far as I'm concerned, the people here that I know have, and certainly myself, have great confidence and respect.
And I think amongst politicians, we realize how an issue like this can be seized upon and distorted.
Right.
Well, how kindly of you to call.
Let me say that it is a
really an implorable incidents and then what it is is like as you know in campaigns people your best friends with the best of intentions do things they shouldn't and then you have to let them go and it breaks your heart but that's the way it happens well exactly and and you're quite right the sad thing is they do it with good intentions that's right and and and this was all such a picky damn thing but it was wrong
But I'll tell you, we'll survive it, Mr. Prime Minister.
But your call, I will always remember.
Well, I certainly never forgot that you called me when I was... Well, you know, we sort of have a union.
We politicians have got to stick together.
Well, that's the way we got to do it, and I think we see things the right way.
Well, I appreciate it.
Incidentally, I wanted to tell you, Kissinger just left.
He's going over to see Lee Ducktoe.
It'll be announced today in Paris next week.
And as soon as he gets back, I'll have him be sure that you get a report, because I know your decision on this thing is...
And that way we'll have a better fix on how to let you know how the thing is coming.
But we do appreciate what you've done, and I'll keep you totally posted on his visit, which will be next Thursday.
Certainly appreciate that.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
How good of you to call.
Thank you.
Bye.
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