Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 131 › Conversation 131-039

Nixon, Kissinger & Camp David Operator on Communication security

Thursday, May 18, 1972 · 12:25 PM–12:33 PM ET · Camp David Study Table · 3 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David Operator; Kissinger, Henry A.Conversation131-039 on Tape 131 (tape position 02:26:00–02:26:03)StartThursday, May 18, 1972 at 12:25 PMEndThursday, May 18, 1972 at 12:33 PMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 131-039 ↗

AI Summary

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.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yes, please.
Halleman, please.
Thank you, Mr. President.

NARA Description

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 Aid

Conversation No. 131-39

Date: May 18, 1972
Time: Unknown between 12:25 pm and 12:33 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with the Camp David operator. The President conferred with Henry A.
Kissinger before the conversation began.
[See also Conversation No. 191-18A]

     Request for a call to H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

Also recorded on May 18, 1972

  • 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.
  • 131-038 11:48 AM · 3 min — 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.
  • 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.
  • 191-018 12:25 PM · 32 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Camp David operator, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:25 pm to 12:45 pm.
  • 131-040 12:33 PM · 24 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 12:33 pm to 12:34 pm.

All 90 conversations from May 18, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 131-039, 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/131-039 (accessed October 10, 2026).