President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke via telephone to conduct a brief, routine check of the communication lines between the White House and Camp David. The conversation functioned as a technical verification to ensure secure connectivity for the President while at the retreat. No substantive policy matters were addressed during this call, as it was limited to establishing a clear signal between the participants.
On May 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Camp David operator, and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:25 pm and 12:33 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-039 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConv. No. 131-39
Conversation No. (cont.)
131-4
Date: Unknown between May 16 and 17, 1972
Time: Unknown between 12:01 am, May 16 and 2:26 pm, May 17
Location: Camp David Study Table
John (“Microwave”) Mizzer talked with the Camp David operator.
Request for a call to Sgt. Major [Forename unknown] Petrie
The Camp David operator talked with an unknown man
Request for a call to Petrie
Mizzer talked with Petrie.
Telephone check
-A patch
-Local line
-NoiseThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.