Conversation 422-031

TapeTape 422StartThursday, March 22, 1973 at 1:52 PMEndThursday, March 22, 1973 at 1:55 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rogers, William P.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers consult on the appropriate method for communicating a sensitive recommendation, debating whether a formal letter or a direct phone call is more suitable. Nixon expresses hesitation regarding the timing and nature of the call, ultimately seeking Rogers’s advice on the matter. Following their brief exchange, the President decides to proceed with the communication.

Diplomatic communicationExecutive decision-makingWilliam P. RogersWhite House correspondence

On March 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and William P. Rogers met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:52 pm to 1:55 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 422-031 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 422-31

Date: March 22, 1973
Time: 1:52 pm - 1:55 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with William P. Rogers.

[See Conversation No. 44-8]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

So I had a recommendation here.
I just sent a letter.
I don't know if you read the letter.
It occurred to me that the letter was the better way to handle it.
But I thought it was a good call.
I just hesitate to call this call.
You know what I mean?
I don't mind it.
What's your feeling about it?
Well, I think I just didn't kind of know.
Yeah.
All right.
I'll do it.
I've been looking for me tonight.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.