Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 528-014
Date: Thursday, June 24, 1971 at 11:17 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Marshall, Anthony D.; Wright, W. Marshall
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/528-014

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:09] The rather extraordinary action of President Siran in this is one of a state and
[0:38] He said, well, he's sick, I don't know if that was the other party.
[0:45] Well, yeah, right, Mr. President.
[0:50] They didn't make a stick of him.
[0:52] They did, Foucault did.
[0:54] And I think that they didn't want it to go as far as it has, but they certainly instigated the action against the United States using Siransk.
[1:04] which to take political action against his heir apparent and accuse him of treason, and using ounces and instruments as a tool in this.
[1:20] I feel that the United States has an interest in Madagascar, the NASA station, a growing economic interest, the oil interest, and our plaintiffship visits that we would like to try to
[1:32] work this out satisfactorily within their own discipline, continuing good relations.
[1:39] They sent a mission over here, we're sending a mission back, Marshall Wright, going on it, and trying to work toward a friendly, reestablishment of friendly relations, not to keep it on a bilateral basis, not to service the French action in this.
[2:00] And to
[2:01] and that France is more important to us than our relations with them, then somewhat shady relations at the moment for Madagascar.
[2:11] Even though I feel that they have kicked us in the teeth, that we must all save face.
[2:16] And that if the delegation that arrives there on Tuesday is successful, that we'll be able to get back to a near norm within the near future.
[2:28] If it is not successful, that we should maintain a low profile for an extended period of time.
[2:35] And that we should work in this sort of reluctant diplomacy
[2:44] atmosphere of not facing the French with what actually they want.
[2:59] The CIA is positive.
[3:03] There's no doubt in their minds that Foucault is behind this.
[3:09] Do you think the other guy is sick?
[3:10] Yes.
[3:10] Well, I'm afraid all that.
[3:11] Yes.
[3:11] Well, what are you going to do?
[3:11] Do you believe that I have undersigned the course?
[3:13] Well, in coming back here, I feel that I'd like very much three things that the delegation hopes to accomplish.
[3:29] First of all, the rescinding of the order to expel five MC officers and keep them there.
[3:36] Secondly, to allow me to return to say goodbye promptly.
[3:38] And stay long enough to take a statement.
[3:40] They've never publicly announced that we were the ones.
[3:42] They've never publicly taken a decision.
[3:43] And then to issue a press release, which is what I intend to do.
[3:53] But then after that, they have to then accomplish all that.
[3:55] Then what I'm going to do is... After that, that's what I'm going to do.
[3:57] I'm going to give you more time to consider your own decision before the game.
[4:01] As I've indicated, this is going to take a while.
[4:02] I'm going to work with them along the side.
[4:03] You see the thing is, he's his partner.
[4:04] He's an actor.
[4:04] He's one of the few people who really cares about him.
[4:06] Yes.
[4:06] No, they're not.
[4:07] Well, I'd like to turn my sights elsewhere now.
[4:13] I think that I'd like very much to go to Europe, or perhaps, you suggested once I might go to Australia, jokingly.
[4:18] No, I don't mean that.
[4:23] I would like, I might say that it might be, too, that it's the other problem, too, having been down there in Africa, those people are so, and they're sort of childlike.
[4:34] In any other country, it's kind of the anti-spy, or something like that.
[4:37] Yes, are you going to call me?
[4:56] Yes, right now, I would.
[4:57] That's it.
[4:58] He's finished there, which is good.
[4:59] Not just I. I love him.
[5:00] I'll tell you what, I love him, but I don't know if he's going to finish it.
[5:01] Most of them, some are not, but they're going to take many years.
[5:03] And if they have an act like this, you know, you're going to have to do something.
[5:04] You're going to have to educate them and all the rest.
[5:05] And so are we.
[5:09] Well, maybe I'll get back to this some day.
[5:17] Well, would you do this?
[5:20] Talk to Peter Flanagan in our shop.
[5:24] Of course, it's a safety question.
[5:29] We'll see what develops into these things.
[5:30] We don't want you to be tossed out of there and sort of leave and not do anything.
[5:36] That's not right.
[5:36] He knows how I feel about it.
[5:39] And you don't
[5:40] what your interests are and so forth.
[5:46] Maybe you might have to shoot somebody to get to you.
[5:55] Yeah, we'd be glad to do that.
[5:56] We don't get caught.
[5:56] See, after all that, you're your presidential co-host.
[6:01] You should have signed off.
[6:02] Okay, that's your reward for going through the call of duty.
[6:06] Okay, don't get discouraged.
[6:08] No.