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Conversation 588-008

TapeTape 588StartTuesday, October 12, 1971 at 11:59 AMEndTuesday, October 12, 1971 at 12:01 PMTape start time02:50:35Tape end time02:54:21ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.;  Rogers, William P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and William P. Rogers met to coordinate U.S. strategy regarding upcoming European diplomatic engagements and a potential summit. They agreed to maintain a cautious stance on the proposed European Security Conference to avoid granting concessions to the Soviets prematurely. Additionally, the group explored the feasibility of hosting a 'Big Four' summit including Japan, tasking John B. Connally with further development of the concept.

European Security ConferenceUS foreign relationsBig Four SummitSoviet-American relationsDiplomatic strategy
AudioNARA Description

On October 12, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and William P. Rogers met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:59 am to 12:01 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 588-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 588-8

Date: October 12, 1971
Time: 11:59 am - 12:01 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger and William P. Rogers

     The President's schedule
          -Kissinger

     US foreign relations
          -Soviet-American relations
                -Berlin
                -European Security Conference
          -European Summit
                -Rogers's schedule
                      -Foreign Minister of Luxembourg
                      -Luxembourg as possible location
                      -Timing
               -Great Britain, Italy, Germany and France
          -Big Four Summit
               -Japan
               -The President's schedule
               -John B. Connally
          -Kissinger
The President, et al. left at 12:01 pm.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

okay now bill you keep the damn thing because you know we don't want that until after i know that's one thing we could agree on oh that's a great answer
Well, they want this very much.
Now, the Italian hit it with me, and I agree with you.
But I think we got it in good context.
First, we got it wrapped up early, and then we looked for it with our allies, and then you were in trouble with that.
But I think it's very important not to let our people go run off on a European security conference, because that's one of the little tidbits they want.
Do you agree?
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
But you see, we didn't cover that here.
Sure.
That's good.
Mr. President, one of the things here I might mention is the fact that when you and I talked about the possibility of a European summit, when I talked to the one Minister of Luxembourg, he's the chairman of the
That means all later guns.
All 10.
He said there's a possibility that there was some at Luxembourg sometime in January, early February.
And I said, well, we have no idea whether it would be interesting or not.
But it's a possibility.
You could go there one day and beat them all.
Well, there's that.
There's that.
The other thing we could consider, which I think we've got to keep sort of in the back of our minds, is that the British
The Italians, the Germans, and the French really want to be handled in a separate way.
Can I start a tangent?
uh and that's why i kept that you notice i volunteered that point that we were going to consult so that they would not feel but uh which i think could have very great significance
It's the possibility of having the big four with Japan.
Here in Las Vegas.
And they know what they're up to.
That'd be great.
Now, if you could work that out, you could work that shit.
Now, that ought to be done.
But, you see, the way I was doing it is to use the money for it.
If we could get Connelly to go, to get going, I haven't talked to him about this, they all know.
If we could get Connelly to talk to you about that.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I'm not saying anything.
No, no, no.
That's an excuse.
That's an excuse.
What do you think?
I think it's a good possibility.
But then, use it.
And then, again, you're talking about the maintenance.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, the monitor.
I believe that, sir.
It's ready to wrap up.
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