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Conversation 131-031

TapeTape 131StartThursday, May 18, 1972 at 11:24 AMEndThursday, May 18, 1972 at 11:26 AMTape start time02:13:35Tape end time02:14:54ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AudioNARA Description

On May 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:24 am to 11:26 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-031 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 131-31

Date: May 18, 1972
Time: 11:24 am - 11:26 am
Location: Camp David Study Table

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

[See also Conversation No. 191-10]

          -President's gifts in 1959 trip to Soviet Union
                -Type
                -Cost
                -Corn products
                -Contributors
          -President's gift to Leonid I. Brezhnev
                -General Motors [GM]
          -Hydrofoil
          -Cadillac
                -Taxpayer's expense
                -President's expense
                -General Motors
                -Public relations
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

in 59 i recall taking several representative items from american industry to moscow and giving it to these people now they were not expensive items you know what i mean some of our corn products and things of that sort you know from but they were not from the government they were from various industries here that wanted the russians to have their products
I wonder if there's any way you can work this out where GM does this damn thing.
I think we can.
I really think, and we'll say that, you see, basically, they, the Soviet government makes hydrofoils, GM makes the car.
We say that we're receiving one, and they indicated they'd like a car, and GM said, fine, we'll give them one of those, so it isn't that I give them the goddamn thing.
Or the taxpayers paid for the Cadillac, that's the thing.
If it comes down to that, I'll pay for the Cadillac.
You know what I mean?
No, I'm serious.
I'd simply say that we don't have any funds for it, but I don't want to do that either.
No.
But I don't see why GM just can't give them one.
I think they will, and I think that's the basis.
Well, if they do it, then the PR problems become infinitely less.
Yep.
Fine, fine.
The gift of General Motors.
Right.
Fine.
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