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Conversation 466-007

TapeTape 466StartThursday, March 11, 1971 at 12:22 PMEndThursday, March 11, 1971 at 12:24 PMTape start time03:04:30Tape end time03:09:00ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Smith, Gerard C.;  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Gerard C. Smith and General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to facilitate a photo opportunity during the signing of a private letter containing instructions for the U.S. ambassador. The discussion touched upon the administration's public diplomatic position and the prospects for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Nixon expressed skepticism regarding immediate progress, suggesting that negotiations would likely remain stalled until the conclusion of the Soviet Party Congress.

Strategic Arms Limitation TalksSALTSoviet Party CongressDiplomatic strategyGerard C. SmithAlexander Haig
AudioNARA Description

On March 11, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Gerard C. Smith, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:22 pm to 12:24 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 466-007 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 466-7

Date: March 11, 1971
Time: 12:22 pm - 12:24 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Gerard C. Smith and General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.; the White House
photographer was present during the conversation
     Greetings

     Photograph
          -Signing ceremony

     President’s letter
          -Contents
                -US public position
                -Arrival ceremony in Vienna
                -Instructions for US ambassador

     [Unintelligible]

     [General conversation]

     Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT]
           -Prospects
                -President’s view
                -Effect of forthcoming Party congress in Soviet Union

Smith and Haig left at 12:24 pm
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hi, Terry.
How are you?
Hi.
Actually, it's...
I think what we'll do is to record... Actually, what we'll do is...
I'm signing a letter to him.
I'll just sign the letter.
I'll just sign it.
I'll put my hand over it.
This is a private letter which we're setting forth just with a general discussion of our positions.
The public position is one that Ambassador Wilbur and I understand the end.
Yes, sir.
We've made the right decision.
We've made the right decision and we'll state our position.
But this is a letter setting forth some of the matters, just setting forth general instructions for the ambassador to the delegation.
Our position is going to be public.
No, this is not for public to understand.
Oh, man.
No, I don't think so.
Really?
You have to think about it all the time.
You get one, isn't it?
You get one.
And if you don't, I'll tell you.
If you don't, I'll tell you.
If you don't, I'll tell you.
I'll tell you.
I don't know.
My guess is you're not going to get anything out of it.
That's my guess.
I think there should have a few in that way.
Party Congresses, they don't know what to have to do.
But after that, they might then want to do a little business in the city.
Mayor, I take it that you might use the directives?
Absolutely, I haven't asked.
Well, I want you to because, you see, we'll be talking to people around this town, I suppose, and we want to know what the story is.
All right.
Hey, thanks.
Never, never know.
You've got something like that for this time.
Yeah, really.
It's going to make a great time.
Thank you.
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