President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed managing the White House's public image regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the necessity of government secrecy. Nixon emphasized using the protection of sensitive foreign policy initiatives, such as diplomatic breakthroughs with China and Russia, to justify withholding information from the media. The pair also explored strategies to initiate public controversy to deflect criticism from the New York Times and considered potential government roles for Peter G. Peterson.
On May 24, 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 1:40 pm and 4:34 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 440-042 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 440-42
Date: May 24, 1973
Time: Unknown between 1:40 pm and 4:34 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building
The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
Television [TV] coverage
-TV Guide
Peter G. Peterson
-Possible role in government
-Counsellor
-Ambassadorial post
-Timing
-John A. Scali
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. July-2011)
Conversation No. 440-42 (cont’d)
Watergate
-White House response
-National security
-New York Times
-Importance of secrecy for foreign policyThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.