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Conversation 582-010

TapeTape 582StartThursday, September 30, 1971 at 5:31 PMEndThursday, September 30, 1971 at 5:33 PMTape start time02:05:43Tape end time02:07:23ParticipantsUnited States Secret Service agentsRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon consults with Secret Service personnel regarding the diplomatic temperament and effectiveness of Treasury Secretary John Connally. The discussion centers on the perception of Connally’s confrontational approach versus the administration’s desire to project both toughness and a cooperative spirit in international negotiations. They evaluate how these conflicting signals affect foreign perception of U.S. economic and political policy.

John ConnallyDiplomacyInternational RelationsEconomic PolicyNixon Administration
AudioNARA Description

On September 30, 1971, United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 5:31 pm and 5:33 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 582-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
None
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

The Texans really don't have the diplomatic touch.
I think he's by far the best man in your cabinet, and he is loyal, and you can count on him.
But the subtleties, the way you phrase certain things, even when it is tasteful, he just doesn't have, so...
Did you hear a good promise about my property in Athens?
Very good.
I didn't promise you said we're not going to be isolated, but we're going to be tough.
Well, but that's what they want to hear, Mr. President.
They like to feel that this is a tough pill for them because it means that they all have to pay a domestic price.
They're taking a free ride on us, but people have gotten used to it.
And whoever stops taking the free ride will have it.
What did you hear from people before the day about the hackers who were working the isolation source?
Well, and also apparently you said we're willing to do it in a cooperative spirit or something like that.
So that they thought, apparently they get the impression from Connolly that he says you knuckle under or out.
And they said, what you didn't say, what I heard was you didn't say anything specific, but the spirit with which you approached it
was one that they, and I heard that, yes, I didn't know you had intended to say anything.
I said, where'd you hear it from?
Well, I, if you,
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