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Conversation 270-003

TapeTape 270StartTuesday, August 3, 1971 at 3:50 PMEndTuesday, August 3, 1971 at 3:55 PMTape start time00:07:17Tape end time00:17:54ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.;  [Unknown person(s)]Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate talking points for a forthcoming press conference, specifically regarding the complex approval status of the Kama River Project foundry deal with the Soviet Union. The discussion touched upon managing potential inquiries from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the broader diplomatic implications of U.S.-Soviet relations. Additionally, the participants briefly reviewed administrative matters, including the upcoming departure of David K.E. Bruce and perceptions of Secretary of State William P. Rogers among liberal factions.

Kama River ProjectSoviet UnionPress relationsForeign policyMack TruckSenate Foreign Relations Committee
AudioNARA Description

On August 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:50 pm to 3:55 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 270-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 270-3

Date: August 3, 1971
Time: 3:50 pm - 3:55 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Telephone call
          -Peking

     Forthcoming press conference
          -Possible question
               -Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]
                     -Mack Truck deal
                           -Kama River Project
                           -Foundry
                                -Approval
                                      -Announcement
                                -Cost
                           -Senate Foreign Relations Committee
                                -Kissinger’s appearance

An unknown person entered at an unknown time between 3:50 pm and 3:55 pm.

     Request

The unknown person left at an unknown time between 3:50 pm and 3:55 pm.

     William P. Rogers
          -John Foster Dulles
          -Liberals

     Forthcoming press conference
          -Possible question
               -Vietnam
                     -David K.E. Bruce
                           -Departure
                                -Welcome by President

Kissinger left at 3:55 pm.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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.

The Mack truck deal, maybe you asked about that.
You can say that we're doing it.
It's a very complicated business.
Well, I wouldn't put it on the basis of the Mack truck.
It's a big project, a calmer river project.
And...
We are looking at it, and it's a very complicated thing because it's in 40-day travel plan.
We're looking at it by categories and we've approved the boundary part of it.
Have they announced it?
Isn't that it?
I can't answer that.
Um, we can check it for you tomorrow.
It should be a negative.
It's just being, you've just approved a line.
You've just approved a line, which is about $175,000.
We have a lot of time to consider it.
You take that.
Great, thank you.
Here's the password.
The foreign relations committee was ecstatic about my appearance.
But that really, it wasn't that I was on board, Mr. President.
If I had said the same thing four weeks ago, people would have talked about credibility again, but I've gone for the election.
I think it's that the general atmosphere is concerned.
We're here.
Did you see why the president actually went to see him for the hand-tasks and the offices?
So much more they were helping the crowd here.
What?
What good does Russia do anything like that?
They don't do anything for the amount of concentration.
No.
And it shows it.
That's the truth.
You say it shows it.
And it shows it.
It's after all.
He's played golf in the last month or two, so I'm not saying he's trying to attempt to play after the liberals.
They would have made it his idea, or he could have made it more common.
I've got to be there someplace.
You told me about it.
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I've told you that you're considered...
I'm sorry, I rang.
I remember.
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