Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 250 › Conversation 250-023

Nixon & Kissinger on Diplomacy and Paris Negotiations

Friday, April 16, 1971 · 5:30 PM–5:32 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 55 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Conversation250-023 on Tape 250 (tape position 03:53:02–03:53:56)StartFriday, April 16, 1971 at 5:30 PMEndFriday, April 16, 1971 at 5:32 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 250-023 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the tactical management of a sensitive diplomatic channel, specifically cautioning against pressuring an unnamed intermediary. The conversation centers on maintaining operational control while ensuring the intermediary is adequately informed of the administration's progress. They align their strategy to prioritize an upcoming meeting in Paris before advancing to subsequent phases of the diplomatic process.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.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.
I don't know if you're sure that you have checked that you've covered the skeleton.
You've covered him?
Fine.
Because when I met him, what was he resting about?
He wants to do more or say more or something to me.
You can't push him.
You don't want to push him unless you want to say anything about him.
You know what I mean?
Let me get it to you.
Maybe he doesn't know we're getting it out well enough.
You know what I mean?
I don't want to say anything more about control at this point.
As soon as we have your meeting in Paris, then we'll go on to the meeting with the queue.
Go on with the meeting with the queue and so forth and so on.

NARA Description

On April 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:30 pm to 5:32 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 250-023 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 250-23

Date: April 16, 1971
Time: 5:30 pm - 5:32 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President

[See Conversation No. 42-55]

Also recorded on April 16, 1971

  • 042-055 5:30 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 5:30 pm to 5:32 pm.
  • 250-024 5:32 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:32 pm and 5:33 pm.
  • 042-056 5:33 PM · 23 sec — H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 5:33 pm to 5:34 pm.
  • 250-025 5:33 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:33 pm to 5:34 pm.
  • 250-026 5:34 PM · 3 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:34 pm and 7:04 pm.
  • 250-027 5:34 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:34 pm and 7:04 pm.
  • 250-028 5:34 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:34 pm and 7:04 pm.
  • 250-029 5:34 PM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:34 pm and 7:04 pm.

All 51 conversations from April 16, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 250-023, April 16, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/250-023 (accessed October 3, 2026).