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Conversation 340-017

TapeTape 340StartTuesday, June 6, 1972 at 10:15 AMEndTuesday, June 6, 1972 at 10:26 AMTape start time01:40:19Tape end time01:43:14ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon directed Henry Kissinger to facilitate follow-up actions regarding diplomatic relations with Poland, specifically focusing on religious freedom and church-state interactions. The discussion centered on potential exchanges between high-ranking Catholic clergy, such as Cardinal Krol and Cardinal Wyszynski, to leverage the impression of openness conveyed by Polish leader Edward Gierek. Nixon emphasized bypassing the State Department to arrange these sensitive diplomatic channels, viewing the engagement as a significant opportunity for U.S. interests.

PolandHenry KissingerFreedom of religionCatholic ChurchDiplomacyEdward Gierek
AudioNARA Description

On June 6, 1972, 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 10:15 am and 10:26 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 340-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 340-17

Date: June 6, 1972
Time: Unknown between 10:15 and 10:26 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President dictated a memorandum to Henry A. Kissinger.

     Poland
          -President's previous talk with Edward Gierek
                -Freedom of religion
                      -Catholic leaders
                      -Compared with Soviet Union
                -Domestic reaction in US
                -John Cardinal Krol
                      -Possible trip to Poland
                -Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski
                      -Possible trip to US
                -Exclusion of State Department
                -Economic issues
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

made a rather interesting comment.
The fact that leaders from outside of Poland are welcome in Poland, and that leaders from the Polish Catholic Church are welcome is kind of crazy.
It may be that I overstated it,
But in any event, he was trying to convey the impression that there was freedom of religion.
Now that the church is not being suppressed anymore,
The state is prepared.
So it's going to be very careful.
I don't understand why you would call it a domestic reaction in this country.
There should be a follow-up on two problems.
One, they're not cardinal clothes, but...
This is, of course, the main objective.
and I believe it would be of enormous importance to us if we could arrange it.
We don't have a list through the State Department, so it would be some other channel to look into.
A follow-up to this instance, I am far more interested in
So what's the issue?
Sending houses, this is kind of funny.
I just looked up the actual date.
Five day weather forecast.
It's cloudy with thunderstorms.
in Washington, clouding with thunderstorms in Camp David, clouding with thunderstorms in Peter's Game, clouding with thunderstorms in San Clemente, and clouding with thunderstorms in Palm Springs.
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