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Conversation 300-017

TapeTape 300StartThursday, November 4, 1971 at 3:52 PMEndThursday, November 4, 1971 at 3:55 PMTape start time00:30:43Tape end time00:35:12ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss finalizing a grain deal with the Soviet Union that has been stalled by shipping labor disputes. Nixon emphasizes the significant political impact the agreement will have on the Corn Belt and instructs Kissinger to coordinate with Charles Colson and the Soviet embassy to resolve the remaining obstacles. The President expresses urgency in securing the agreement, aiming to make a formal announcement by the following day.

Grain dealUSSRMaritime unionsCharles ColsonCorn BeltEconomic policy
AudioNARA Description

On November 4, 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 3:52 pm and 3:55 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 300-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 300-017

Date: November 4, 1971
Time: Unknown between 3:52 pm and 3:55 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]
          -Grain deal
               -Charles W. Colson's agreement with Maritime unions
                     -Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy
               -Peter G. Peterson's contacts
                     -USSR embassy
               -Kissinger's possible call to Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
                     -Call to Colson
               -Effect
                     -Corn belt
               -Forthcoming announcement
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

off of the records on one thing it would be very helpful uh colson was able to work out with american unions that they will ship that client which is a tremendous achievement both johnson and kennedy asked you know what i mean uh the half american models and the jobs well my point is it will be shipped at the break and the russians said that's their only hang-up
Now they've got Peterson.
Peterson is talking to the Russian embassy about it.
I want you to call the brain and say this is terribly important to us.
We've done some things for them.
And this is great.
Can you do that?
Or you don't want to?
Is there any reason not to?
Let me suggest this.
Get close to Colquitt.
You know exactly what to say to him.
But I can tell you, Henry, if we can get that break, you're going to have an enormous effect on the Corn Belt.
An enormous effect.
You know what I mean?
Because they want to buy the corn, and they've said they will, and the deal is just hanging there.
We want to announce it tomorrow if we can.
Before the unions run off, see?
Well, I think the only reason that we might is that it's something that the Russians have already offered, you see.
Okay, I'll call.
Be right back.
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