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Conversation 482-025

TapeTape 482StartMonday, April 19, 1971 at 6:09 PMEndMonday, April 19, 1971 at 6:11 PMTape start time04:14:51Tape end time04:17:38ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the Israeli proposal for a Suez Canal withdrawal, a diplomatic development encouraged by Henry Kissinger to secure a temporary period of stability in the Middle East. Haig expressed concern that the State Department might react negatively to the proposal's initial toughness, potentially leading to a premature rejection by the Egyptians. They concluded that the administration should allow the diplomatic process to play out for now, with the President reserving potential intervention with Israeli leadership for a later stage.

Middle East DiplomacySuez CanalIsraelEgyptHenry KissingerState Department
AudioNARA Description

On April 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House from 6:09 pm to 6:11 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 482-025 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 482-25

Time: 6:09 pm - 6:11 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr..

     Haig's meeting with Allen J. Ellender
          -Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]

     Israeli-Egyptian negotiations
           -William P. Rogers
           -Suez Canal
                 -Israeli withdrawal
           -State Department position
           -Henry A. Kissinger
           -Israeli position
           -State Department
           -Possible Egyptian response
           -President's possible role
           -Israel
           -Kissinger
           -Rogers
           -President's possible position
           -Egyptians

Haig left at 6:11 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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, President.
Hi.
Senator Hillender on the Soviet movie.
The Secretary of State is probably going to call you in a few minutes, if he hasn't already, about the Israeli response on the drawback from the canal proposal.
They have finally submitted their proposal in Israel, and it's been reported by cable.
And I just wanted to be sure that you were aware
of how this thing has been postured.
This was something that we saw some time ago as a possibility for bloodletting and easing the situation which was developing around the State Department position.
And it's been encouraged by Henry, and they've come in with this proposal now, which will provide the means of buying two or three years of time
the middle east if it's acceptable to the egyptians now the first position that the israelis are coming in with is fairly tough although it's a reasonable position it's tough and there's a very good chance that as the state department gives it to the egyptians that they will reject it for particular details the way we foresee this is that ultimately it'll be a necessity for
your intervention with the Israelis to push them back to an acceptable position.
And so what Henry's concerned about is that the Secretary may be enthusiastic about it, but he may be a little bit disturbed that it's a tough position.
And we are hoping that what you want me to say can play it out.
Just let them play it out.
Go ahead.
Yes, sir.
Well, his proposal will be to give it to the Egyptians and see how... Oh, yeah, I see.
Fine.
And then let me...
Ultimately, after the detention's bill, and then you and...
Yes, I agree.
Be your shell.
All right.
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