Conversation 329-019

TapeTape 329StartTuesday, April 11, 1972 at 1:12 PMEndTuesday, April 11, 1972 at 1:14 PMTape start time01:16:57Tape end time01:18:42ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Butterfield, Alexander P.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield discuss the tactical orchestration of an upcoming meeting regarding China policy. Nixon explicitly decides to exclude Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird to avoid the necessary inclusion of Secretary of State William Rogers, tasking Henry Kissinger with leading the briefing instead. The President emphasizes that China-related matters should remain distinct from standard congressional relations to ensure the initiative is perceived as a significant diplomatic event rather than partisan politics.

China policyHenry KissingerWilliam RogersMelvin LairdDiplomatic strategyWhite House administration

Audio

NARA Description

On April 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:12 pm to 1:14 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 329-019 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 329-19

Date: April 11, 1972
Time: 1:12 pm - 1:14 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Alexander P. Butterfield.

[See Conversation No. 22-107]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.

But I don't think I marked Rogers there.

So you know what I mean.

I would prefer to frankly leave it not to have Mel.

You see what I mean?

If you have him, you have to have Rogers.

And I think Henry should do it.

Let Henry do the breathing.

That's the purpose of the pep talk.

Let Henry do the breathing.

Yeah.

Fine, fine.

No, I think the China thing has to be sort of separated from congressional relations.

Henry will be there, and that means that you'll agree with him on the damn thing.

I don't look at mine normally, but I think since it's gone to China, they can deal with it.

We want them to feel it's not a little separate politics.

There will be pictures, of course.

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