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Conversation 500-006

TapeTape 500StartTuesday, May 18, 1971 at 7:58 AMEndTuesday, May 18, 1971 at 8:02 AMTape start time00:10:18Tape end time00:13:02ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed urgent strategy regarding the ongoing Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and the necessity of finalizing agreements with Soviet officials. The conversation focused on navigating diplomatic obstacles, specifically concerning the precise wording of proposed terms and coordination with Anatoliy Dobrynin. Nixon emphasized the importance of resolving these issues promptly during the current week to preempt potential domestic political complications, such as the Mansfield amendment.

SALTHenry KissingerSoviet diplomacyAnatoliy DobryninMansfield amendmentArms control
AudioNARA Description

On May 18, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 7:58 am to 8:02 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 500-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 500-6

Date: May 18, 1971
Time: 7:58 am - 8:02 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT]
           -William P. Rogers
           -H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
           -Gerard C. Smith
                 -Forthcoming Talk with Kissinger
           -Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
                 -President's schedule
           -Wording
           -Andrei A. Gromyko, Leonid I. Brezhnev
           -Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield amendment
                 -Position of [Name unintelligible]
           -Timing
           -Wording
           -Dobrynin

The President and Kissinger left at 8:02 am.
                                               4

                            NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                         (rev. 9/08)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Uh, we will, uh, use the jaw lockers.
Exactly, Mr. Wilcox.
Exactly, and I will, of course, make the plenty detections that have come by.
There's no problem because I didn't have anything important.
I just said,
I thought it would be good if he and I went over some things before he went off.
That's why I wanted him in town.
And then, let's see what happens this morning.
I thought of a way of calling to bring him later today.
I'm going to tell him that you had planned to go away on Friday, and that's the reason we need to know the time.
This is
I just can't imagine what could go wrong.
It's that word.
I'm sure it's the word we won't change.
You know, when we say it's difficult, they shouldn't do it.
Gromyko cannot refuse a request by you on his own by saying it's difficult.
I'm sure he's taking it up with Bresnan.
And I'm sure it takes a day.
Yes, sir.
Took on the Mansfield.
Did you see that?
Yeah.
For the weekend.
Yeah.
Yes.
I would be routine.
If we could get this, it's the time to do it.
This is the week.
We ought to do it this week rather than hush around.
I've met that friend.
Huh?
I've met that friend.
Yeah.
And we've done all the work.
I just don't know what could be holding it up because I think it was the conditions.
Those can be accepted that it would be easy and laid by everybody if they changed that word and didn't make any difference.
Hold on.
Look, is that right?
Screw you.
If it's the word, screwing it up.
And then I said, well, you can deal with it.
Deal with it.
That's right.
Yeah, it is.
Well, nothing else goes the same as it being in the way.
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