Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 253 › Conversation 253-006

Nixon & Kissinger on US-Soviet relations and Diplomatic linkage

Friday, May 21, 1971 · 6:34 PM–7:05 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Conversation253-006 on Tape 253 (tape position 00:10:19–00:15:54)StartFriday, May 21, 1971 at 6:34 PMEndFriday, May 21, 1971 at 7:05 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 253-006 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the strategic importance of ongoing negotiations with the Soviet Union and the necessity of establishing clear linkage between various diplomatic issues. They evaluate the political risks of a potential failure in reaching an agreement, characterizing the situation as a critical test of whether the two nations can conduct substantive business. The conversation emphasizes that the administration’s forthcoming public announcement will serve as a definitive gauge of Soviet intentions.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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So you see, here's a guy who's brighter than that and doesn't really know what's happening.
Yeah, but I think it's... That's what you want.
I think it's helpful, and it's sinking, and I was just beginning to talk to Frank, when I heard about the president was going to make his announcement, and that he was reasonably confident of getting the agreement.
And now, if there is no agreement, we'll know that the Soviets have made a political decision that they shouldn't be, but that they have played with us for four, four months.
And also...
that there are many other areas that will either open or close depending upon this.
I put that right out there.
There is linkage.
I agree with the linkage argument that this is really a test on both sides as to whether we're going to do business or whether we're going to be.
And that's a very important point.
We have done well here.
And I've seen it in your sense, people.
Oh, I think, you know, in a way, it's been disrespectful.
They don't know exactly what it means.
I know it means more than it means to be honest.
I think it's going to build.
It's better that they don't scream.
They make sure people stand where we put the toilet bag in.
Of the negotiations that are true, but if you're not comfortable with it, beside the accidental war, it's not right.
It's not right.
It's not right.
It's not right.
It's not right.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On May 21, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:34 pm and 7:05 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 253-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 253-6

Date: May 21, 1971
Time: Unknown between 6:34 pm and 7:05 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger

     US-Soviet relations
         -Kissinger’s position on an unknown issue
         -Arthur F. Burns
         -President’s announcement
               -Kissinger’s conversation with Robert S. McNamara (?)
               -An agreement
               -Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]

     The President’s schedule

******************************************************************************

[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 09/11/2019.]
[Unintelligible]
[253-006-w001]
[Duration: 20s]

[This portion of the tape is mostly room noise with some muffled background
                                                                       Conv.conversation.]
                                                                             No. 253-45 (cont.)

******************************************************************************

Kissinger left at an unknown time before 7:05 pm

Also recorded on May 21, 1971

  • 503-020 6:04 PM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 6:04 pm and 6:26 pm.
  • 503-021 6:07 PM · 48 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 6:07 pm and 6:26 pm.
  • 503-022 6:07 PM · 43 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 6:07 pm and 6:26 pm.
  • 503-023 6:07 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 6:07 pm and 6:26 pm.
  • 503-024 6:07 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo, White House operator, and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 6:07 pm and 6:34 pm.
  • 003-112 6:26 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone from 6:26 pm to 6:28 pm.
  • 253-007 6:34 PM · 46 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:34 pm and 7:05 pm.
  • 253-008 6:34 PM · 14 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:34 pm and 7:05 pm.

All 40 conversations from May 21, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 253-006, May 21, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/253-006 (accessed October 3, 2026).