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Conversation 596-006

TapeTape 596StartTuesday, October 19, 1971 at 12:15 PMEndTuesday, October 19, 1971 at 12:17 PMTape start time02:05:37Tape end time02:09:26ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss diplomatic strategies regarding Ceylon’s role in the upcoming United Nations vote on Taiwan, specifically addressing the influence of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The discussion shifted to Vietnam, focusing on U.S. casualty figures, congressional concerns over South Vietnamese domestic politics, and the status of ongoing negotiations and POWs. Haig briefed the President on his recent meetings with congressmen to manage political fallout concerning the administration’s military withdrawal policy.

CeylonTaiwanUnited NationsVietnam WarPOWsForeign Policy
AudioNARA Description

On October 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:15 pm and 12:17 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 596-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 596-6

Date: October 19, 1971
Time: Unknown between 12:15 pm and 12:17 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Ceylon
          -Robert Strausz-Hupe
               -Haig’s view
          -Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike
               -Forthcoming United Nations [UN] vote on Taiwan
                     -The President’s efforts
                     -Follow-up efforts
                     -The President’s efforts
                           -Ceylon’s relation with the People’s Republic of China [PRC]

     Vietnam
          -William P. Rogers
          -Casualty figures
          -Haig’s meeting with Congressmen
                -Military
                -South Vietnamese domestic politics
                -Withdrawal of United States support
                -Prisoners of War [POWs]
                -Negotiations

Haig left at an unknown time before 12:17 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

But there's a second time where there has to be some withdrawal, too.
There has to be, or there will be some withdrawal.
The fact that there is a transatlantic system in Israel is that it would probably, if not then, didn't exist.
Yes.
That would have been considered very significant.
Usually people forget, though, that there was a time that not only Egypt but none of Israel's thinkers were recognizing existence.
So now they've come that far.
That's very significant.
Now they're talking about at least negotiating.
That's significant.
So...
It is as black as the tears in terms of what would you like.
Very important to you.
I know it.
I know it.
It's very important to you.
It's very important to all of our viewers.
It's very important to you.
You deserve great treatment.
Well, we'll do our best to get it open.
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