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Conversation 359-016

TapeTape 359StartSaturday, September 16, 1972 at 1:15 PMEndSaturday, September 16, 1972 at 1:32 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.;  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate the security and public messaging surrounding upcoming secret negotiations with North Vietnamese officials. They discussed the timing of these meetings in relation to Nixon's IMF speech and his re-election campaign, while also considering how to manage media inquiries and leaks regarding these diplomatic efforts. The pair consulted with Stephen B. Bull regarding the President's schedule to ensure these sensitive discussions remained prioritized and secure.

Vietnam negotiationsHenry KissingerDiplomatic securityMedia relations1972 electionNorth Vietnam
AudioNARA Description

On September 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:15 pm and 1:32 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 359-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 359-16

Date: September 16, 1972
Time: Unknown between 1:15 pm and 1:32 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

             Vietnam negotations

                                        (rev. Oct-06)

                  -Kissinger's trip
                  -Security
                      -Media
                  -Kissinger's conversation with North Vietnamese officals
                  -Future meetings
                      -Timing
                           -The President’s forthcoming International Monetary Fund [IMF]
                           speech
                  -North Vietnam
                      -Settlement
                  -Nguyen Van Thieu
                      -Ellsworth F. Bunker
                  -Announcement of Kissinger’s trip
                      -H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                           -Timing
                  -Robert C. Toth’s recent conversation with Kissinger
                      -Los Angeles Times
                      -Kissinger’s recent press briefing
                      -Le Duc Tho
                           -The President’s re-election

Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 1:15 pm.

             The President’s schedule
                 -Forthcoming meeting with Charles W. Colson

Bull left at an unknown time before 1:20 pm.

             Vietnam negotiations
                 -Security
                 -Expectations by Vietnamese
                 -Meetings between US and Vietnamese
                     -Time
                     -Length

Kissinger left at 1:20 pm.
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.

and that they were embarrassed that there was a loose man
You just probably think you're right because they want this.
Oh, boy.
Oh, God.
But you know, you might try to think how you can break it down.
But I'm beginning to think, first of all, Bob Haldeman agrees with me in announcing a two-day meeting.
Oh, yes.
It's that in itself.
Oh, yes.
Yeah, sure.
Bobby Schultz of the Nationalist Times had told me that I might be going to prison.
He said, look, my colleague said that he's running a high note in the Senate.
And, you know, under the pretext they've already found a new secure house, I couldn't bother.
I said, I'll find a house next time.
And they said, oh, they found a house, and they can't even get it from here.
They can't even get it from here.
Where have they ever done before?
Oh, that's a lie.
Just so they don't expect anything.
Oh, absolutely.
Absolutely.
You can talk to Dave.
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