President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the legislative hurdles facing the ratification of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT), specifically addressing concerns from political critics like Senators Buckley and Goldwater. The conversation also touched upon the 1972 presidential campaign, the impact of the defense budget, and potential negotiating strategies regarding Vietnam. They focused on refining policy stances for an upcoming press conference, particularly concerning ceasefire conditions and the release of American prisoners of war.
On June 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 6:25 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 345-019 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 345-19
Date: June 29, 1972
Time: 6:25 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President met with Henry Kissinger at 6:25 pm
Strategic Arms and Limitation Treaty [SALT] ratification
-James L. Buckley
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Effects of non-ratification
-Anti-ballistic missiles [ABM]
-Submarines
-Missiles
-Critics
-Senators
-Melvin R. Laird
-Defense budget
1972 campaign
-George S. Mcgovern's statement
-May 8, 1972 decision
-Chou En-lai
-Leonid I. Brezhnev
Foreign relations
-South Vietnam
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
Vietnam negotiations
-Preparations for forthcoming press conference
-Ceasefire without prisoners of war [POWs] release
-US options
(rev. Jan-02)
-Bombing
-Duration
Kissinger left at 6:32 pm.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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.