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Conversation 046-009

TapeTape 46StartFriday, May 11, 1973 at 2:51 PMEndFriday, May 11, 1973 at 2:53 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon instructed Alexander Haig to direct J. Fred Buzhardt to adopt a more supportive and optimistic tone when communicating with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman regarding their legal strategy. Nixon emphasized that Buzhardt must project confidence that the Watergate situation is manageable to counter the anxiety caused by Leonard Garment’s more alarming counsel. Additionally, the two discussed John Connally’s potential leave of absence from his law firm, with Nixon approving the move to address concerns regarding professional conflicts of interest.

WatergateLegal strategyJ. Fred BuzhardtJohn B. ConnallyPersonnel management
AudioNARA Description

On May 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 2:51 pm to 2:53 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-009 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-9

Date: May 11, 1973
Time: 2:51 pm - 2:53 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See also Conversation No. 434-19]

     Watergate
                 -J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.’s contacts with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman and John D.
            Ehrlichman
                 -Compared with Leonard Garment
           -John B. Connally’s telephone call to Haig
                 -Leave of absence
                                              -5-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. January-2011)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

General Hicks.
Yes, Mr. President.
Hi.
I wanted to say one thing that is a little advice to Buzzard, but you could tell him.
Yes, sir.
It's very important that he not talk to Bob and John in terms of the melodramatic terms that he did.
You know, when Mitchell came over the other day and talked about impeachment and resigning and all that crap.
And also, you must not talk in terms, this could indict you and the rest, because that will get them to lose confidence in themselves.
That's right.
He's got to be clear that he thinks this is all manageable.
Absolutely.
You tell him, by God, he's to follow that out to the line or otherwise.
not for the purpose of misleading him, but for the purpose of gaining their confidence, because that's Lynn's problem.
See, Lynn has scared them to death.
Exactly.
They don't trust him.
So Buzz Arch has got to be their friend.
And they're uptight, very understandably.
And we just can't add to that.
Right.
So you just say, by God, we're fighting their battle, and this can be worked out, and we're doing our very best, and so forth.
Right.
I had a call from Conley.
I talked to him earlier this morning to make sure he was in good shape, and he is.
He said that the press thing's playing, that he's doing this, and that the question of conflict came up, that he feels it's quite important if he's to go on with this, that he go and leave of absence from his firm.
That's fair enough.
I agree.
I think so.
I agree.
If he's willing, I can tell him, and just climb back and say, am I...
The president feels it's terrible for him to take this sacrifice, but he does appreciate it.
Good.
All right.
Okay, fine.
Right.
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