Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 131 › Conversation 131-038

Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on International travel

Thursday, May 18, 1972 · 11:48 AM–11:50 AM ET · Camp David Study Table · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan)Conversation131-038 on Tape 131 (tape position 02:23:06–02:26:00)StartThursday, May 18, 1972 at 11:48 AMEndThursday, May 18, 1972 at 11:50 AMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 131-038 ↗

AI Summary

President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon discussed logistical preparations for their upcoming international trip, specifically coordinating their wardrobe selections based on varying regional weather forecasts. They reviewed the climatic conditions for their scheduled stops, including Moscow, Iran, Austria, and Warsaw, to determine appropriate clothing needs. The First Lady also updated the President on positive public reception to the redecorated Blue Room and confirmed that their scheduled travel arrangements remained on track.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello.
Hi, Dick.
Yeah.
I wondered if you see Munson around just telling that, I think I've already indicated this, but that except for the white tie and the accessories that I'll pick the suits myself tomorrow when I come back, the suits I want to pick.
White tie?
Do we have a white tie then?
Oh, in Iran.
Yeah, Iran, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I mean, I didn't...
But the other things are not black ties.
There's no black...
There's nothing else formal except Iran.
Everything else is a business suit for me and short dresses for the women.
Yeah.
So that's that.
Okay.
Now, incidentally, on the weather, as I understand, is it what, around 50 to 60 degrees?
Well, it says that it ranges anywhere from 40 on up.
Okay.
you have to take some kind and it's supposed to be raining almost every place i mean the chance of rain so i think that really uh just a raincoat would be enough but what about suits winter summer suits well i've been looking at these darn things they say uh maximum for example in moscow is
65 to 70 and the minimum 47 to 52.
Well, it's more comfortable to have the lightweight suits anyway.
Yeah.
For working.
I'm going to take lightweight.
Maximum is 44 to 47.
Yeah, it's colder there.
And 32 to 37 minimum.
It'll be real cold there.
All right.
And then, of course, Iran is hot.
Yeah.
And Austria is like Washington in April.
Mm-hmm.
And Warsaw is, it says rain everywhere.
Rain, yeah.
65 to 70 maximum, 40, 60, 51 otherwise.
Mm-hmm.
Fine, fine.
Okay?
Okay.
How's everybody like the Blue Room?
Well, I think they'd like it.
Rex told me the visitors coming through are crazy about it.
Oh, yeah.
And all the people that night loved it.
Yeah, well, that's what I hear.
That's what I hear.
Good.
I know it's great.
Oh, no.
All right.
How's it up there?
Today, foggy.
And I went in swimming yesterday, though, and I'm going to go in swimming again today just to get my last little off before we take off.
DeBrennan came up to say goodbye, and I had breakfast with him, so I had
An hour with him, he's in good shape.
Everything's on the track.
On the track, so it's definitely on at this point.
Okie doke.
Alright, fine.
Thanks.
Incidentally, I forgot, incidentally, the

NARA Description

On May 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:48 am to 11:50 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-038 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 131-38

Date: May 18, 1972
Time: 11:48 am - 11:50 am
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon.

[See also Conversation No. 191-17]

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 11/06/2017.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[131-038-w001]
[Duration: 2m 53s]

     Planned attire and weather for upcoming trip to Soviet Union
          -Zosimo Monzon
                -Suit selection
          -Attire
                -White tie
                      -Iran
                -Black tie
                -Business suits
                -Short dresses
          -Weather
                -Temperature range
                -Rain
          -Attire
                -Raincoat
                -Types of suits
          -Temperature
                -Moscow
          -Attire
                -Types of suits
          -Weather
                -Leningrad
                -Iran
                -Austria
                      -Similarity to Washington, D.C.
                -Warsaw

     Blue Room
          -Rex Scouten’s report
          -Response of reception guests

     Camp David
         -Weather
         -Swimming
         -Anatoliy Dobrynin meeting
              -Upcoming Soviet Union trip schedule

**********************************************************************

Also recorded on May 18, 1972

  • 131-034 11:38 AM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:38 am to 11:42 am.
  • 131-035 11:42 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 11:42 am.
  • 191-014 11:42 AM · 3 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:42 am and 11:44 am.
  • 131-036 11:44 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:44 am to 11:45 am.
  • 191-015 11:44 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 11:44 am to 11:45 am.
  • 131-037 11:45 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:45 am and 11:48 am.
  • 191-016 11:45 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:45 am and 11:48 am.
  • 191-017 11:48 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 11:48 am to 11:50 am.

All 90 conversations from May 18, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 131-038, May 18, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/131-038 (accessed October 10, 2026).