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Conversation 473-013

TapeTape 473StartThursday, March 25, 1971 at 4:23 PMEndThursday, March 25, 1971 at 4:40 PMTape start time04:32:41Tape end time04:35:22ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to deliberate on sensitive foreign policy strategies regarding Soviet arms control and the complex implications of the People's Republic of China's potential admission to the United Nations. They discussed adopting a firmer negotiating posture while navigating the domestic political risks associated with a 'two-China' policy. The conversation reflects a strategic shift toward maneuvering through international pressures and deciding on a clear, decisive path forward for these diplomatic challenges.

Soviet-US relationsArms controlPeople's Republic of ChinaUnited NationsTwo-China policyForeign policy strategy
AudioNARA Description

On March 25, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:23 pm and 4:40 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 473-013 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 473-13

Date: March 25, 1971
Time: Unknown between 4:23 pm and 4:40 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with an unknown person [Henry A. Kissinger?]

     Soviet Union - US relations
          -President’s instruction
          -Public statements on arms control

     People’s Republic of China
          -United Nations admission
               -”Two China” policy
               -John B. Connally
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

that y'all can play a little firmer game.
And, you know, I, you know, you're all so much, I don't have much firmer game play in terms of this thing, but I play very confident, very successful, we're not counting on this, we all are doing.
You understand?
Yeah, yeah.
And the other, well, I want to throw out, I want to, you know, I want to leave fresh,
We're gonna have to put it right out there, then.
Yeah.
Okay, first we're gonna talk about that, and then we're gonna talk about the sun and how we're gonna have to go along with it.
We're gonna have to go through these games.
Should we value this general order of play?
I think so.
I think the other thing is that we've got to make a decision on this.
The reason that I have to raise that point about this is to say the U.N. has all that good news.
It's going to be wonderful.
We've got a lot to do in that policy.
Well, domestically, it's just not.
And it's a dynamite for the world.
One of our friends is going to have a job.
I'm not sure that just letting the UN enroll us would be a bad idea.
You know, if somebody does that, maybe we can enroll the UN a little bit.
I'm not sure we're sitting about that.
Ready to kick it out.
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