Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 169
Nixon White House Tape 169 (June 20, 1973 – June 21, 1973)
33 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 53 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haig, Kissinger, Eisenhower, Yates
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call. The sole purpose of the communication was to establish a connection with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. No other substantive policy matters or tactical decisions were discussed during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke from Camp David to coordinate the agenda for upcoming meetings with Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. The two assessed Brezhnev’s strong personal rapport with Nixon and emphasized that their ongoing diplomatic efforts were of greater national significance than the Watergate scandal. Nixon expressed frustration over the distraction caused by domestic political controversies, specifically disparaging John Dean, while affirming the strategic necessity of maintaining his presidency to continue essential international negotiations with the USSR and China.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate telephone connections with his close associates, Charles “Bebe” Rebozo and Robert H. Abplanalp. He specified that Rebozo could be reached at Abplanalp’s residence in New York. Nixon instructed the operator to forgo further attempts to locate Rebozo if he was dining out, opting instead to call him at a later time.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a personal telephone connection. The primary purpose of the communication was to reach Julie Nixon Eisenhower. The exchange served as a routine administrative request to initiate a private family call.
President Nixon and his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, discuss their respective public engagements and the ongoing, highly successful diplomatic visit of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Amidst the summit, Nixon emphasizes that the global importance of his negotiations outweighs the domestic political distractions of the Watergate scandal. Additionally, they discuss the positive reception of Julie’s recent public speaking, the upcoming schedule for David Eisenhower, and recent reports discrediting John Dean regarding financial misconduct.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request an outgoing telephone call to his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. This administrative interaction served as the necessary bridge to facilitate a direct line of communication between the President and his top foreign policy official. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief request.
President Nixon and the Camp David operator discuss an incoming communication attempt from National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. Upon being informed that Kissinger is currently occupied on another line, Nixon authorizes the operator to have Kissinger return the call at a later time. The brief exchange serves primarily as a logistical coordination to facilitate an impending discussion between the President and his advisor.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator during a late-night stay at the retreat. He requested that the operator arrange for a shirt to be delivered to him. This brief exchange reflects the routine logistical interactions between the President and the site's support staff.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Nellie L. Yates. The brief exchange served as a logistical coordination to ensure the President was reachable at his cabin. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative call.
President Richard M. Nixon held a brief telephone conversation with Nellie L. Yates from Camp David. The entire content of the discussion was withheld from the public record due to privacy considerations under a deed of gift. Consequently, no information regarding the purpose, topics, or outcomes of this interaction is available for historical analysis.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his close friend and confidant, Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo. The brief exchange served strictly as a logistical request to initiate a private conversation. No substantive policy matters or political strategy discussions took place during this administrative call.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent connection with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical bridge to initiate a direct consultation with Kissinger. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange, as its sole purpose was to establish the telephonic link between the President and his advisor.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinated the logistical arrangements and agenda for the upcoming summit with Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. The two discussed the protocol for Nixon to personally present an automobile as a gift to Brezhnev and established a sequence for upcoming meetings, including sessions involving Kissinger and Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin, as well as private time for the President and Brezhnev. Kissinger committed to delivering a brief outlining the remaining summit goals to ensure the plenary sessions and private discussions proceeded as planned.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a meeting with his Press Secretary, Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief interaction served as a logistical coordination to arrange for Ziegler's arrival at the retreat. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this communication.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The brief exchange served as an administrative request to place a call to his Chief of Staff. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief communication.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig reviewed several pressing political and administrative issues, including a potential SEC inquiry involving Melvin Laird and ongoing concerns regarding the Watergate investigation. The two discussed the nervous state of Vice President Spiro Agnew regarding a Maryland investigation and directed J. Fred Buzhardt to contact Attorney General Elliot Richardson regarding reports of witness intimidation. Additionally, they addressed damaging leaks from John Dean to the Ervin Committee and confirmed the strategic rationale behind past White House discussions regarding IRS investigations of political opponents.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to issue a request for Chief of Staff Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to meet him at the Aspen Lodge. This brief logistical communication facilitated a direct discussion between the President and his top aide during Nixon's stay at the retreat. No further substantive policy matters were addressed in this exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone call to his close friend, Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo, who was in Florida. The President specifically requested the operator's assistance in connecting him to Rebozo's location. This brief interaction served solely as an administrative step to initiate a private communication between the two men.
President Nixon coordinated his schedule with the Camp David operator, specifically requesting a telephone call to Henry Kissinger. The discussion also addressed the afternoon arrival of Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo and the President's unavailability due to ongoing meetings. Nixon ultimately decided to delay his return call to Rebozo until later in the afternoon.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke briefly to coordinate their immediate availability for discussions. Nixon inquired about Kissinger's current schedule and potential meetings to ensure they were prepared for upcoming engagements, including the President's scheduled meeting with Soviet Union officials. The call functioned primarily as a logistical check-in to align their respective calendars while at Camp David.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephonic communication with the Camp David operator from his study table. The primary purpose of this contact was to facilitate an outgoing call to White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed concerns regarding J. Fred Buzhardt's investigation into Watergate-related activities, specifically focusing on a tape Charles Colson provided to John Dean and allegations surrounding the improper handling of campaign funds. They expressed frustration with Dean's conduct and discussed the potential for holding him in contempt for his refusal to testify in executive sessions before the Ervin Committee. To counter the negative narrative, the administration planned to have the Committee for the Re-Election of the President issue a letter demanding the return of the funds, while also coordinating media logistics for the upcoming visit of Leonid Brezhnev.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone request through the Camp David operator to speak with his Chief of Staff, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The call served solely as a logistical communication to facilitate direct contact with Haig. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig reviewed the results of a recent press conference held by John Connally, focusing on his remarks regarding the national economy and his future role on the White House staff. While Nixon expressed slight disappointment that Connally's comments on his staff involvement were not more assertive, they agreed his performance on economic messaging was effective. Additionally, Haig provided updates on his ongoing communications with George Shultz and Melvin Laird and briefed the President on upcoming administrative actions.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. During the brief interaction, the President also made a minor personal request for additional supplies to be delivered to his study. The primary purpose of the call was to facilitate communication with his Chief of Staff.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the White House's economic messaging strategy, specifically praising Melvin Laird’s recent success in bolstering support among Congressmen. The conversation shifted to monitoring Attorney General Elliot Richardson and the ongoing investigation into Vice President Spiro Agnew. Haig confirmed he had tasked J. Fred Buzhardt with pressing Richardson for information regarding the Agnew probe to ensure the administration was not blindsided by potential legal or political crises.
President Nixon initiated a brief administrative call to the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection. The primary purpose of the communication was to reach Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo. No further substantive policy matters were recorded during this brief logistical exchange.
President Nixon and his close associate Bebe Rebozo discuss the ongoing press coverage of Leonid Brezhnev’s visit to Camp David, noting that it successfully diverted media attention away from the Watergate scandal. Rebozo reports on his efforts to resolve the legal handling of a Howard Hughes campaign contribution involving an individual referred to as 'Calhoun.' Rebozo confirms that legal counsel Kenneth Gemmill reviewed the matter and concluded that Rebozo bears no legal liability regarding the funds.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. This brief administrative interaction served to facilitate direct communication between the President and his Chief of Staff. No further substantive policy discussions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the positive television coverage of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's visit, while also finalizing negotiations regarding SALT and MBFR. The pair reviews the political fallout of the Watergate scandal, specifically monitoring media reports regarding John Dean's upcoming testimony and Senator Hugh Scott's remarks. Additionally, they coordinate the timing of personnel announcements for the SEC and John A. Love to avoid negative headlines, and they clarify the future advisory role of John Connally to mitigate public misperception.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection. The primary purpose of this brief communication was to request a call with Alexander M. Haig, Jr., who was serving as White House Chief of Staff at the time. This interaction reflects the administrative process Nixon utilized to coordinate high-level staff communications while residing at the presidential retreat.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the historic significance of the dinner meeting with Leonid Brezhnev, expressing their shared conviction that the personal rapport established during the event represented an unprecedented breakthrough in U.S.-Soviet diplomacy. Emphasizing the importance of documenting these interactions, Nixon directed Haig to ensure that Helmut Sonnenfeldt and Ronald Ziegler draft comprehensive memoranda of their recollections of the evening. The discussion also touched upon the distracting impact of the Watergate scandal, which the President feared threatened to overshadow this major foreign policy achievement.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to issue a request for Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to join him at Aspen Lodge. This brief communication served solely to facilitate a direct meeting between the two men at the President's retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this logistical exchange.