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Conversation 165-025

TapeTape 165StartSaturday, May 12, 1973 at 2:11 PMEndSaturday, May 12, 1973 at 2:13 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate a public relations strategy regarding Louis Patrick Gray III's upcoming testimony and statements concerning the Watergate investigation. Nixon directs Haig to ensure Gray emphasizes that the President had instructed him to conduct a thorough and unrestricted investigation regardless of who it might implicate. The objective is to use this narrative to override damaging revelations surfacing from grand jury proceedings and congressional testimony.

WatergateL. Patrick Gray IIIPublic RelationsTestimonyPresidential Instructions
AudioNARA Description

On May 12, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone at Camp David from 2:11 pm to 2:13 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 165-025 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 165-25

Date: May 12, 1973
Time: 2:11pm - 2:13 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Watergate
          -L[ouis] Patrick Gray, III
               -Telephone call from the President
               -Possible statement
                      -Previous testimony
                      -President’s instructions
               -J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I didn't want to interrupt your call, but I did want to be sure if you do get grayed, if you get hit hard.
And he's a patriot, and he knows I'm his friend.
But the point he's got to emphasize is one that I called him, and he said, I'm concerned about people that may be doing you a disservice.
And I said, Pat, your job is to get to the bottom and go clear to the top, no matter who it hurts.
He's got to say that.
Yes, sir.
I think so.
We have to really, what we have to find out is exactly what he said to both.
That's the important thing.
That we know what he said and then bridge off that to get a public statement.
But you see, whatever he did say is, you know, all that's going to dribble out.
But the point is, this is a PR thing.
He should now make a public statement, you know.
You see, the public statement, you know, is going to override the PRs, you know?
I mean, it's going to override what the hell happened to the grand jury.
Forget the goddamn grand jury.
Forget what he said to the committee.
He's got to say that the president told him to get his ass on it, conducted thorough investigation, which he, of course, said over and over and over he did, too.
That's right.
That's what we have to do.
All right.
You think you got him on the phone now?
I've got the guy in the other room.
Okay, fine.
I'm sure he got him.
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