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Conversation 385-016

TapeTape 385StartMonday, December 11, 1972 at 5:37 PMEndMonday, December 11, 1972 at 5:42 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the frustration and difficulties associated with ongoing administrative negotiations and message management. Nixon expresses a desire to move away from the current, tortuous process of dealing with outside parties who are failing to conform to established frameworks. The President indicates he will take a short recess to regroup and prepare for a more decisive approach to these challenges.

AdministrationNegotiation strategyWhite House operationsDecision makingMessage control
AudioNARA Description

On December 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 5:37 pm to 5:42 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 385-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 385-16

Date: December 11, 1972
Time: 5:37 pm - 5:42 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 34-47]
                                            -20-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. July-08)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
It seems to me that I just don't know what to do with it.
I feel like I have a lot more confidence in what I'm going to do.
I'm going to be here.
I'm going to be here.
I'm going to be here.
I'm going to be here.
The second point is, if we were to go back, I'm sure that some of the, a lot of our message chains that we're going to have to look at are not necessarily what we're calling for everywhere.
Well, if you're ready for that...
that I was required to work in.
And, you know, that's just the roughest thing I've ever experienced.
And, you know, it's been a long time since I've been here.
And, you know, it's been a long time since I've been here.
And, you know, it's been a long time since I've been here.
And, you know, it's been a long time since I've been here.
And, you know,
What I don't want them to get is that they all enter the framework like we want them to.
They're willing to do what we want them to do.
You see, it's not there anymore.
We've got to realize what's the way to do the thing.
We're ready to let them have it, but we're not going to let them have it.
I know what happens.
There's all these tortuous, tortuous, you know, negotiations.
You've got to track down the man down in the middle of the mountain.
Well, that's the way we are.
You're being out there and being bad.
The thing I want, what I'm at at this point, is to quit that.
I'm going to stay around.
I have a couple days.
I have a recess.
It's necessary that they say that.
I'm going to recess.
I'm going to start going.
Thank you.
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