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Conversation 456-017

TapeTape 456StartTuesday, February 23, 1971 at 3:05 PMEndTuesday, February 23, 1971 at 3:08 PMTape start time03:29:08Tape end time03:33:35ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Safire, William L.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with speechwriter William Safire to discuss the drafting and refinement of the upcoming 'State of the World' message. The conversation focused on the presentation of national security, defense, and arms control policies, particularly in relation to the perspectives of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Secretary of State William Rogers. Nixon tasked Safire with integrating editorial changes to ensure the message effectively articulated his vision for a strong America.

State of the World messageNational securityArms controlSpeechwritingExecutive policy
AudioNARA Description

On February 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William L. Safire met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:05 pm to 3:08 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 456-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 456-17

Date: February 23, 1971
Time: 3:05 pm - 3:08 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with William L. Safire

     State of the World message
           -Melvin R. Laird and William P. Rogers
           -National security
                 -Defense
                 -Arms control
           -Schedule
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

John, I want you to talk to the go-getter.
There's a lair in front of you.
The security guard has to do with the security guard.
There's a lot of people in the body who can do that.
Just let me know if I understand you.
The part that you have to do with arms control, that's there.
That's there.
And it has to do with advancing strong America.
That's all there.
And he didn't have the same chance.
He said he's had a chance.
But he just can't.
Did you get through it over the fractures?
I think we can start over.
Actually, that's what I was thinking of myself.
Why don't we stay around here?
I think we'll get to the letter tomorrow.
All right.
Yeah, I understand.
I'm looking forward to saying that.
The whole purpose is just to...
I'm looking forward to it.
Not to be left over there.
Not to be thrown through that thing.
and it just truly is, you know, yeah.
I just wanted to, I tried to just say that you've got any editorial changes you'd like to make.
This is just assumptions, assumptions around the report.
Fine, fine, fine, fine.
Did it work on the committees?
Did you get any good suggestions or did you have any good phrases or anything there?
Good?
All right.
Take care of him.
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