Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 291 › Conversation 291-008
Nixon & Kissinger on Foreign policy and Diplomatic relations
Tuesday, October 12, 1971 · 9:41 PM–9:44 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 2 min
AI Summary
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the political optics and strategic value of demonstrating support for a key ally. The conversation centers on a planned diplomatic trip, which they agree will project strength and resolve, particularly regarding the role of the Secretary of the Navy. Nixon confirms his support for this approach, viewing the potential international visit as a significant opportunity to reinforce administration policy.
Audio
NARA Description
On October 12, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 9:41 pm to 9:44 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 291-008 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 291-8 Date: October 12, 1971 Time: 9:41 pm - 9:44 pm Location: Executive Office Building Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President. [See Conversation No. 11-73]
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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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Also recorded on October 12, 1971
- 011-072 9:12 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone from 9:12 pm to 9:13 pm.
- 291-006 9:13 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:13 pm and 9:41 pm.
- 291-007 9:13 PM · 38 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 9:13 pm and 9:41 pm.
- 011-073 9:41 PM · 3 min — Henry A. Kissinger and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 9:41 pm to 9:44 pm.
- 011-074 9:44 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:44 pm and 10:09 pm.
- 291-009 9:44 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:44 pm and 10:09 pm.
- 291-010 9:44 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Manolo Sanchez, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:44 pm and 10:16 pm.
- 011-075 10:09 PM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 10:09 pm to 10:16 pm.
Related conversations
- Nixon & Kissinger on Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Relations November 2, 1971 · 26 min
- Nixon phone call with Rebozo on People's Republic of China July 20, 1971 · 4 min
- Nixon & Knebel on National Image and Political Strategy November 9, 1971 · 1 min
- Nixon phone call with Kissinger on Foreign Policy and Soviet Union August 11, 1971 · 5 min
- Nixon phone call with Rogers on Latin America and Foreign Policy October 5, 1971 · 2 min
- Nixon phone call with Colombo on United Nations and People's Republic of China October 22, 1971 · 20 min
Cite this conversation
Conversation 291-008, October 12, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 417184797). Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/291-008 (accessed November 2, 2026).