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Conversation 438-007

TapeTape 438StartThursday, May 17, 1973 at 1:47 PMEndThursday, May 17, 1973 at 3:05 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss concerns regarding an unsolicited letter sent to Haig by an unidentified doctor in New York, specifically questioning the potential motivations and implications of such correspondence. The President expresses deep suspicion toward John W. Dean III, suggesting that Dean may be capable of manipulative or damaging behavior. Nixon emphasizes the need for absolute discretion and precision in how the administration handles these external communications to mitigate further political risk.

John W. Dean IIIWatergate scandalPolitical strategyWhite House internal communicationsAlexander Haig
AudioNARA Description

On May 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:47 pm and 3:05 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 438-007 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 438-7

Date: May 17, 1973
Time: Unknown between 1:47 pm and 3:05 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

       Letter to Haig
               -Unknown doctor
               -New York
               -Impressions
               -Newspapers
               -John W. Dean, III
                      -Possible activities
                      -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
               -Wording of letter
                                                        -4-

                       NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                              (rev. October-2011)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

One thing I was wondering about is why this doctor in New York would write to you about reading the letter, because there'd be questions about why.
The only guy that I think would possibly be studying the subject
You see, I have to be impeccable because he may have said, well, he may have done something.
He may have, you know what I mean?
Nobody, Bob didn't, I'm sure.
But this son of a bitch is capable of doing things that we don't like about him.
Right, right.
The letter was written to you in a very precise way, huh?
All right, good.
Okay, bye.
Bye-bye.
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