Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 149 › Conversation 149-012

Nixon phone call with Camp David Operator on Henry Kissinger

Sunday, October 15, 1972 · 11:24 AM–11:35 AM ET · Camp David Study Table · 14 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David OperatorConversation149-012 on Tape 149StartSunday, October 15, 1972 at 11:24 AMEndSunday, October 15, 1972 at 11:35 AMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 149-012 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to establish contact with Henry Kissinger, who was currently meeting with General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. Upon learning that Kissinger was occupied, the President instructed the operator to have Kissinger return the call whenever it became convenient. This brief exchange served to coordinate high-level communication regarding ongoing military or diplomatic affairs involving the General.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.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?
Mr. President, Dr. Kissinger is with General Abrams at the present time.
Can he call you in about 15 minutes?
No, tell him whenever it's convenient.
I have no hurry.

NARA Description

On October 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:24 am and 11:35 am. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 149-012 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 149-12

Date: October 15, 1972
Time: Unknown between 11:24 am and 11:35 am
Location: Camp David Study Table

The Camp David operator talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 220-16]

        Henry A. Kissinger's schedule
           -Meeting with Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
                -Return call to the President

Also recorded on October 15, 1972

  • 149-009 10:55 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:55 am and 11:07 am.
  • 149-010 11:07 AM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:07 am to 11:21 am.
  • 220-014 11:07 AM · 8 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 11:07 am to 11:21 am.
  • 149-011 11:24 AM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 11:24 am.
  • 149-013 11:24 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:24 am and 12:00 pm.
  • 220-015 11:24 AM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 11:24 am.
  • 220-016 11:24 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:24 am and 11:35 am.
  • 220-017 11:24 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:24 am and 12:00 pm.

All 23 conversations from October 15, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 149-012, October 15, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/149-012 (accessed October 17, 2026).