Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 482-025
Date: Monday, April 19, 1971 at 6:09 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/482-025

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hi, President.
[0:03] Hi.
[0:04] Senator Hillender on the Soviet movie.
[0:10] 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.
[0:20] They have finally submitted their proposal in Israel, and it's been reported by cable.
[0:27] And I just wanted to be sure that you were aware
[0:30] of how this thing has been postured.
[0:35] 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.
[0:47] 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
[1:00] 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
[1:28] your intervention with the Israelis to push them back to an acceptable position.
[1:35] 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.
[1:48] And we are hoping that what you want me to say can play it out.
[1:52] Just let them play it out.
[1:54] Go ahead.
[1:55] Yes, sir.
[1:57] Well, his proposal will be to give it to the Egyptians and see how... Oh, yeah, I see.
[2:05] Fine.
[2:06] And then let me...
[2:06] Ultimately, after the detention's bill, and then you and...
[2:10] Yes, I agree.
[2:11] Be your shell.
[2:15] All right.