President Nixon initiated a brief administrative contact with the White House operator to request an urgent telephone connection to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. This exchange served solely as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with his key foreign policy aide. No further policy discussion or substantive decision-making occurred during this specific interaction.
On October 12, 1971, 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. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 291-009 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 291-9 Date: October 12, 1971 Time: Unknown between 9:44 pm and 10:09 pm Location: Executive Office Building The President talked with White House operator [See Conversation No. 11-74] Request for a call to Henry A. Kissinger
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.