Conversation 506-001

TapeTape 506StartFriday, May 28, 1971 at 11:43 AMEndFriday, May 28, 1971 at 12:08 PMTape start time00:00:25Tape end time00:08:52ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ronne, Torben;  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOval Office

On May 28, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Torben Ronne, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:43 am to 12:08 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 506-001 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 505-21/506-1

Date: May 28, 1971
Time: 11:43 am - 12:08 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Torben Ronne and Henry A. Kissinger.

[An unknown portion of the conversation was not recorded while the tape was changed]

     People's Republic of China [PRC]
          -US relations
          -Soviet Union relations
          -Relations with world
          -PRC initiative
                -US objectives
                     -World peace
                     -Travel
                     -Trade

     Soviet Union
          -Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT]
          -Conversation between Danish Foreign Minister and Soviet Ambassador Semyon K.
                Tsarapkin
                -North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
                -Tsarapkin
                      -Travel
                           -Norway
                           -Denmark
          -Tsarapkin
                -Leonid I. Brezhnev speech
                -William P. Rogers
          -Brezhnev speech
                -US position
                      -NATO
                      -Vietnam
                           -Ronne's appreciation
                           -Troop levels
                                               2

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                        Tape Subject Log
                                           (rev. 9/08)



     The Vietnam War
          -US politics
               -Compared to Great Britain
          -US involvement
          -Denmark


******************************************************************************
                                                     Conv. No. 505-21/506-1 (cont.)

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[National Security]
[Duration: 3m 17s ]


     DENMARK


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

******************************************************************************


     US-Denmark relations

     Presentation of gifts by the President
          -Cuff links

     President’s greetings to the Danish Prime Minister

     Invitation
           July 4th

Ronne and Kissinger left at 12:08 pm.
                                                3

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                       Tape Subject Log
                                          (rev. 9/08)

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.

If the relationship of China, not just to the United States, but to the rest of the world, because China is isolated more from the Soviets in the present time than it is by us, but if it sits out there 10 to 15 years from now, isolated from the rest of the world, that's the day that they're going to be born again.
So also to me, it's a major opportunity for all here, six, seven hundred million of the most creative people in the world to move into a dangerous world or to a more peaceful world.
Well, there's so much to that.
I just wanted to share some of my own philosophy.
The point being that, the only being that, is through that improvement that is going to happen.
But on a step-by-step, mutual basis, it's an exchange of travel.
along other lines.
This is something on a mutual basis where it serves our mutual interest.
We're working toward that.
What do you think?
I have seen the many advances in the development of the salt.
It's very awesome that they continue now in this city.
She has no doubt that this is time just before
I don't think he is going to other countries.
They will do it on their own.
They are delivering something to us today.
But here I can assure you that we will try to test Saratkin.
I, the president, sit with his speech.
of any significance, and can we really trust that you are interested in these forces of justice?
Because then we would be willing, and I have noticed with great satisfaction that Mr. Rogers has expressed his willingness to go and test if there is anything behind this.
So it would be one of these, but it's rather urgent coming up, so I only want you to come forward.
before you and say, well, if anything goes, that's fine.
The other side goes the same way.
But you're absolutely right.
It's just testing, testing.
It's just a little bit of a thaw.
We don't need to put the ice on it again.
But it's worth testing.
But our position, of course, is that this is a matter that we all want to discuss in the alliance and develop a common position.
I know all the difficulties you have and therefore I express my extra gratitude because you have the courage to maintain this position.
People here who said, well, we don't need to reduce fire.
I told them, you're kidding.
I said, do you think we have political problems in the United States?
What do you think of the political problems of the parade?
Well, they're all one day out of the rest.
That's compensated why.
The moment that we went down by the school of the hour.
But we appreciate your firm standing on this personally.
I know you have political problems, just like we have.
Yes, we have our problems, especially when we have refused the regular pass, haven't we?
But there, I can tell you that the Danish government has tried to be very firm, in spite of the new Norwegian government.
We have maintained our position because we are of the same opinion as you are, that only the post that was stiffened in Paris
if we recognize just now.
Well, I greatly appreciate that, and I can only tell you that we, we're not entrenched, and have not been, but breaks, the dike breaks,
you recognize as many years of that great symbolism.
And I think it's extremely important.
It's very much in our interest.
And also, here we're talking about, we immediately have, in other words, the next few months are very critical.
And here about the POWs, I have also expressed to your administration that we do not hope that you use Sweden before consulting us
Because thereby you will more or less draw the rocks away from our position of not recognizing Hannah.
Because then the position in Denmark will say to the government,
Oh, no.
You should have done as the Swedish and Norwegian government had done.
Recognize Hanna, because by that you could have helped the Americans and helped the cause of peace.
And therefore I have also the assurance of the Secretary of State that he will consult us in such a situation.
It will be in a rather awkward and difficult situation.
I see exactly what you mean.
I'll see that that's done.
But we all know that with your utmost if we in any way can help this very important question that people don't use.
I can tell you I got at least 15 or 20 letters a day from ladies here and they have their husbands or sons out there and ask, oh and I said,
From us, it's not a question of communication, it's a question of will from the Hanoi side.
And I know that both your own government and we, we will do our utmost to do that.
It's not a question of communication.
We have a lot of places of communication with Hanoi.
They're remarkable people.
How they said that, I don't know.
Well, the long vigil will end one day.
And at least they can see now that there is a time coming.
They seem to be much older.
They just spent five years.
Three years.
They are.
We do appreciate it.
I think it's very important for us, because you know our country so well.
I'm sure I'm interested in you being in the Foreign Office there.
I gotta get you a drink.
You must be, uh...
These are the presidential copies, which are sealed there, which is like a treaty document.
Yes, there you go.
Thank you.
Let's see.
Hold on.
Oh, yes, yes.
Hold on.
Oh, I see.
Thank you, Mr. President.