President Nixon consulted with Henry Kissinger regarding the strategic objectives and logistical preparations for his upcoming summit in the Soviet Union. The discussion centered on managing diplomatic channels with Leonid Brezhnev and Andrei Gromyko, as well as coordinating official toasts and speeches for the Soviet audience. Additionally, they reviewed ongoing military operations in Vietnam, including the effectiveness of current air strikes and domestic political challenges posed by Congressional opposition to the war.
On May 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:51 am and 9:52 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 189-007 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 189-7
Date: May 17, 1972
Time: Unknown between 9:51 am and 9:52 am
Location: Camp David Hard Wire
The President talked with the Camp David operator.
Request for a call to Henry A. Kissinger
Conversation No.189-8
Date: May 17, 1972
Time: 9:52 am - 10:06 am
Location: Camp David Hard Wire
Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.
Greetings
The President’s forthcoming trip to the Soviet Union
-Preparations
-Reading material
-The President’s view
-Andrei A. Gromyko and Leonid I. Brezhnev
-Communications
-The channel
-William P. Rogers
-Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
-Message
-Brezhnev
-Rogers
-Kissinger's preparations
Vietnam
-Decision to mine and blockade
-The President’s view
-Public support
-South Vietnamese morale
-Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-North Vietnamese offensive
-Kontum
-Air Strikes
-Sorties
-Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-Number
-Weather in North Vietnam
-A bridge
-Priorities
-Number of sorties
-Michael J. Mansfield
-Position
-Amendment
-The President’s view
Soviet Summit
-Salzburg stopover
-Plenary sessions
-President's participation
-The President’s view
-Negotiations
-Conditions
-Agreements
-News release
-Limitations
Kissinger's schedule
-Dinner with Stewart J.O. Alsop
-Camp David
-Dogwood Lodge
-Breakfast
-Meeting
Vietnam
-Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] estimates in 1968
-Importance
-Soviet Summit
-Congress
-Bills to end the war
-Media coverage
-Soviets
The President’s forthcoming trip to the Soviet Union
-President's television speech to Soviet people
-Length
-Toasts
-Length
-Speechwriters
-Length
-Method of delivery
-Translations
-Brezhnev
-Method of delivery
-Dobrynin
-Length
-TranslationThis 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.