Conversation 200-009

TapeTape 200StartWednesday, August 9, 1972 at 10:19 AMEndWednesday, August 9, 1972 at 1:47 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategies to bolster the administration's outreach to Polish-American groups, specifically leveraging Secretary of State William P. Rogers's credibility with this demographic. Nixon directed that Rogers coordinate a meeting with John Cardinal Krol, involving Assistant Secretary for Europe Walter J. Stoessel, Jr., to foster positive relations. The President also emphasized that these efforts should be publicized through the Polish press and college media to maximize political impact, tasking Haldeman with coordinating the plan with Charles Colson.

Polish-American relationsWilliam P. RogersJohn Cardinal KrolPublic relationsCharles ColsonForeign policy outreach

On August 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:19 am and 1:47 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 200-009 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 200-9

Date: August 9, 1972
Time: Unknown between 10:19 am and 1:47 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President dictated a memorandum to H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

     William P. Rogers
          -Effectiveness regarding Polish-American groups
                -The President’s previous visit to Poland
          -Possible meeting with John Cardinal Krol
                -Walter J. Stoessel, Jr.
                     -Assistant Secretary for Europe

                                       (rev. Mar-02)

          -Charles W. Colson
          -Rogers’s possible meetings with Polish groups
               -Polish press

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Bill Rogers believes that he could be very effective before COVID-19.
I agree.
When we were in Poland, feeling in the cathedral, the Cardinal was saying, that's my religious element.
I've already suggested that he have Cardinal Crowe now, even in that State Department, probably for lunch, when it's special.
The Assistant Secretary for Europe will be there, Rogers, at that time.
We have an excessive report to roll, which is already clear to Rogers and the Cardinal, other than that, the Secretary of State was there in the cathedral on the occasion of the religious holiday, and was most grateful.
And we worked with him, which was very intelligent.
I know Colson has a lot of things going here, but I think sending Rogers directly into Polish groups, that could be very effective.
All of them, personally.
True, some of them have great confidence in saying that Rogers is scheduled to introduce some Polish forums.
Besides, it's their own.
What really matters is that they can speak before such groups and that they get
It spread through the college press and known overseas as well.
This, of course, is a matter you'll want to discuss with Colson as well.