Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 241 › Conversation 241-003

Kissinger & Camp David Operator on Vietnam War and Diplomatic Communication

Friday, February 2, 1973 · 3:43 PM–8:50 PM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 2 min

ParticipantsKissinger, Henry A.; Camp David OperatorConversation241-003 on Tape 241StartFriday, February 2, 1973 at 3:43 PMEndFriday, February 2, 1973 at 8:50 PMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 241-003 ↗

AI Summary

Henry Kissinger instructed Commander Jonathan T. Howe to coordinate a high-level notification process regarding an upcoming policy announcement following the Vietnam settlement. Kissinger directed that critical diplomatic channels, including Ingersoll, Bunker, and LaPete, be informed of the text and timing of the statement to ensure a unified message during consultations. The communication was to be handled with strict confidentiality, framing the announcement as a move toward international peace.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Kissinger, can you get me General Scowcroft urgently?
I've called.
It's very urgent, because I'm holding up a whole party.
The Commander Howe is in my office.
John, I suppose we haven't informed anybody about our announcement tomorrow.
Yes.
Somebody has to think of this thing.
Now, will you do a back channel to Ingersoll, to Bunker, to LaPete?
and tell them to tell their principals at what time they're going to make this announcement, give them the text, and say it's a regular consultation in the aftermath of further Vietnam settlement.
And will you get that out this evening?
Now wait a minute now, who wants to be to Korea, Japan?
You might let the French know.
Take care of it.
Oh, you might let Godly tell Zubana and Swank.
Okay?
But it should be closely held.
And that it's done in the spirit of contributing to peace in nature.
Oh, and we have to tell Tymon.
Call the doctor.
Wait, I've got to go with you.
Yes.
Okay, wait a minute.
They're all leaving.
All right, I'll check with you when I get in.
Bye.

NARA Description

On February 2, 1973, Henry A. Kissinger and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 241-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 241-003

Date: February 2, 1973
Time: Unknown between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the Camp David Operator and Cmdr. Jonathan T. Howe.

[See Conversation No. 186-005]

Also recorded on February 2, 1973

  • 186-001 3:43 PM · 42 sec — Camp David operator, William Hirsch, and unknown person(s) talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-002 3:43 PM · 32 sec — William Hirsch and Charles C. ("Charlie") Sumrell talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-003 3:43 PM · 4 min — Henry A. Kissinger, Camp David operator, Paul ("Stern") Kissinger, and Louis Kissinger talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-004 3:43 PM · 3 min — Henry A. Kissinger, Camp David operator, unknown person(s), and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-005 3:43 PM · 3 min — Henry A. Kissinger, Camp David operator, and Cmdr. Jonathan T. Howe talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-006 3:43 PM · 20 sec — Charles C. ("Charlie") Sumrell and unknown person(s) talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-007 3:43 PM · 33 sec — Frank A. Sisco, Camp David operator, and Charles A. Grunden talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.
  • 186-008 3:43 PM · 6 min — Frank A. Sisco, Camp David operator, unknown person(s), and Farrell D. Morlan talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 8:50 pm.

All 33 conversations from February 2, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 241-003, February 2, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/241-003 (accessed October 10, 2026).