Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 203 › Conversation 203-017

Nixon phone call with Haldeman on Speechwriting and Diplomatic negotiations

Thursday, August 17, 1972 · 11:22 AM–11:29 AM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 7 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation203-017 on Tape 203StartThursday, August 17, 1972 at 11:22 AMEndThursday, August 17, 1972 at 11:29 AMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 203-017 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the drafting of an upcoming speech and the strategic framing of ongoing sensitive negotiations. Nixon emphasizes that external interference could jeopardize diplomatic progress and instructs Haldeman to consult with Alexander Haig rather than other subordinates on the matter. The pair also addresses public messaging and the importance of maintaining a controlled narrative to avoid negative editorial backlash.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah.
Yeah.
And just a note to whoever worked on that speech, to take the Truman quote that we put all in, to take the Truman quote, to be inside of where I speak about the BFWB.
Oh, we've made it legion all over America.
America is not part of this one damn thing.
Okay.
Yeah.
I will try to come.
But with the faith, we have direction.
Yes, well, but be sure you indicate the worry a little bit.
No.
Yeah, but you've got to lay the... No, no.
Get this away from the... Again, be sure you talk to Hague about it rather than...
This is not a ghost operation.
You've got to get him out of this sort of thing.
I mean, his judgment regarding how to follow it up...
I'd say now look, because of the ongoing discussions are going on, because discussions are going on at the highest levels or something like that, this intervention by the one outside of discussions has very serious
could have very serious repercussions.
I'm not going to comment further on it now or something like that.
I think they've got to stay.
But whatever they want is fine.
They'll work it out.
But be sure you do it not with Tulsa.
I don't get his judgment, but it's a hate decision, particularly hate.
I don't know.
hell of a thing.
Of course, the point is I really feel somebody else should take it on and probably are because it's the editorials and so forth.
Jesus Christ is going to bang the shit out of them.
Yeah.
...variously jeopardize any possibility of progress in the negotiations.
I put it that way.
But that's what I...
law won't end like this.
Without that nominee, the president nominee has declined to be briefed.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On August 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 11:22 am to 11:29 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 203-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 203-17

Date: August 17, 1972
Time: 11:22 am - 11:29 am
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

[See Conversation No. 140-26]

Also recorded on August 17, 1972

  • 140-023 10:16 AM · 12 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Camp David operator, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 10:16 am to 10:54 am.
  • 140-024 10:56 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Camp David operator, and George Meany talked on the telephone at Camp David from 10:56 am to 10:58 am.
  • 203-014 10:56 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and George Meany met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 10:56 am to 10:58 am.
  • 140-025 11:10 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 11:10 am.
  • 203-015 11:10 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 11:10 am.
  • 203-016 11:10 AM · 24 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:10 am and 11:22 am.
  • 140-026 11:22 AM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Camp David operator, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at Camp David from 11:22 am to 11:29 am.
  • 203-018 11:29 AM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 11:29 am and 1:15 pm.

All 49 conversations from August 17, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 203-017, August 17, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/203-017 (accessed October 12, 2026).