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Conversation 045-196

TapeTape 45StartThursday, May 10, 1973 at 3:34 PMEndThursday, May 10, 1973 at 3:35 PMParticipantsHaig, Alexander M., Jr.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

Alexander M. Haig, Jr. updates President Nixon on his discussions with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. regarding recent legal meetings involving H.R. Haldeman’s counsel and Horace "Chappie" Rose. The conversation centers on clarifying Rose’s level of involvement in these meetings and addressing internal anxieties regarding potential misinformation conveyed by Leonard Garment. Nixon and Haig conclude by reaffirming their trust in Rose’s integrity while seeking to minimize staff tensions regarding the handling of sensitive information.

WatergateJ. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.H.R. HaldemanHorace Chapman RoseLeonard GarmentWhite House legal strategy
AudioNARA Description

On May 10, 1973, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 3:34 pm to 3:35 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-196 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 45-196

Date: May 10, 1973
Time: 3:34 pm - 3:35 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked with President.

[See also Conversation No. 435-20]

     Watergate
          -Haig’s conversation with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.
               -Buzhardt’s meeting with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s lawyers
               -[Horace] Chapman (“Chappie”) Rose
               -David N. Parker
               -Information conveyed to Haig by Leonard Garment and Buzhardt
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

General Haig calling you.
Hello, Mr. President.
I talked to Bazzard.
He said that that is correct, that they had been meeting together.
When the two lawyers came, Chappie said, I want to go upstairs and I want to sit in this.
He went up and they brought Parker in.
There were three of them.
Then as soon as the two lawyers left, Chappie came back and joined them.
When they came over to me, they conveyed the impression that they had all been in on it.
Didn't do it intentionally.
They heard that Chappie was not in the meeting.
No, he was not.
Well, that's the only good thing that concerned Bob a little bit.
Right.
Now, I think there's little nerves here and mistrust should not be.
I know, I know, because we know Chappie's honest.
He's totally honest.
I don't think Bob was in front of him, but he just thought that Garment had indicated that Chappie was there and Garment shouldn't have.
Yeah, well, I, you know, you couldn't have drawn any other impression because they had a consensus view on this problem.
Sure, sure, but he shouldn't have told you the chap he was on a meeting if he did tell you that.
Well, I'm not even sure that he did.
Oh, I see.
They said that they conveyed that impression they didn't mean to.
Okay.
Right, sir.
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