← 131-028131-030 →

Conversation 131-029

TapeTape 131StartThursday, May 18, 1972 at 11:22 AMEndThursday, May 18, 1972 at 11:23 AMTape start time02:11:57Tape end time02:13:29ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the public relations risks associated with the President gifting a Cadillac to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. They weigh the optics of this exchange against the precedent of receiving pandas from the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing that the gift is a reciprocal trade for a Soviet hydrofoil rather than an ostentatious gesture. To mitigate potential criticism regarding the expense, Nixon directs Haldeman to involve Richard A. Moore in crafting a narrative that frames the transaction as a balanced, material exchange between the two nations.

Head of State giftsPublic relationsLeonid BrezhnevCadillacSoviet-American relationsDiplomatic protocol
AudioNARA Description

On May 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:22 am to 11:23 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-029 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 131-29
Date: May 18, 1972
Time: 11:22 am - 11:23 am
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

[See also Conversation No. 191-8]

     Head of State gifts
          -Public relations problems
                -Expense
                -Pandas from People's Republic of China [PRC]
                      -The President’s view
          -Richard A. Moore's advice
          -Hydrofoil
                -Soviet choice
          -Leonid I. Brezhnev's choice
                -Car
                -Cadillac
          -Publicity situation
                -Expense
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Yes, sir.
As you know, I'm aware of the PR problems of an expensive gift of this sort.
There are also PR problems of accepting a gift of that.
I mean, although the Chinese gift is worth infinitely more, as you know.
Yep.
They aren't as blatant.
They're not as ostentatious.
Yep.
But I think you ought to get somebody like Moore in on the act to see it.
We'll say, now, how do you think we ought to handle this?
Pointing out the background, you know, that what happened was that we learned that the Soviet government, they asked if they could present a hydrofoil because they're very proud of their hydrofoils.
And so we said we couldn't accept that unless we could prevent something, you know, in kind.
And what would the Soviet government want?
And Brezhnev said, well, you'd like a car.
We do cars well.
They do hydrofoils well.
That's really the story.
It's the God's truth.
I think if it's well handled, it's all right, except that the idea of giving a Cadillac to Brezhnev can be a hell of a negative story if it's handled that way.
No problem.
We just got to be sure and do it that way.
It's a problem unless you point out that our gift was less expensive than theirs.
Right.
And it's basically a sort of material exchange.
Okay.
Okay.
← 131-028131-030 →