Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 153 › Conversation 153-021
Nixon phone call with Camp David Operator on Henry Kissinger
Tuesday, November 14, 1972 · 3:08 PM–3:11 PM ET · Camp David Study Table ·13 sec
AI Summary
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his National Security Advisor, Henry A. Kissinger. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to establish a direct line between the President and Kissinger during Nixon's stay at the retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed, as the exchange was limited to arranging the connection.
Audio
Transcript (AI-generated)
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NARA Description
On November 14, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:08 pm and 3:11 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 153-021 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 153-21
Date: November 14, 1972
Time: Unknown between 3:08 pm and 3:11 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table
-27-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Mar.-08)
Conversation No. 153-21 (cont’d)
The President talked with the Camp David operator.
Request for a call to Henry A. KissingerAlso recorded on November 14, 1972
- 224-027 3:08 PM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and John V. Brennan met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:08 pm and 3:11 pm.
- 224-030 3:08 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:08 pm and 3:11 pm.
- 224-031 3:08 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:08 pm and 3:11 pm.
- 153-022 3:11 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone at Camp David from 3:11 pm to 3:18 pm.
- 224-028 3:11 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 3:11 pm to 3:18 pm.
- 153-023 3:18 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:18 pm and 3:21 pm.
- 153-024 3:21 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone at Camp David from 3:21 pm to 3:23 pm.
- 224-029 3:21 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 3:21 pm to 3:23 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 153-021, November 14, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/153-021 (accessed September 18, 2026).