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Conversation 006-079

TapeTape 6StartThursday, July 1, 1971 at 3:14 PMEndThursday, July 1, 1971 at 3:16 PMTape start time01:23:47Tape end time01:25:59ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Dobrynin, Anatoliy F.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Dobrynin, Anatoliy F.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin spoke to follow up on the President's previous condolence call regarding the deaths of three Soviet cosmonauts. Dobrynin formally conveyed the gratitude of Soviet leaders Leonid Brezhnev, Aleksei Kosygin, and Nikolai Podgorny for the sympathy expressed by Nixon and his family. The exchange served as a diplomatic gesture of goodwill, with both parties acknowledging the importance of mutual respect during the pursuit of space exploration.

Soviet UnionDiplomacySpace explorationCosmonautsCondolences
AudioNARA Description

On July 1, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Anatoliy F. Dobrynin talked on the telephone from 3:14 pm to 3:16 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 006-079 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 6-79

Date: July 1, 1971
Time: 3:14 pm - 3:16 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin.

[See Conversation No. 261-31]

     President's condolence call to Dobrynin, June 30,
           -Deaths of Soviet cosmonauts
           -Soviet Leaders' telegram to Dobrynin
                 -Leonid I. Brezhrev
                 -Aleksei N. Kosygin
                 -Nikolai V. Podgorny
                 -Lt. Col. Georgi T. Dobrovolsky
                 -Vladislav N. Volkov
                 -Viktor I. Patsayev
           -Condolences from President's Family
                 -Julie Nixon Eisenhower's call to President from Athens
                 -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I have reported to Moscow about your telephone call in connection with the tragic death of the Soviet cosmonaut.
The Soviet leaders urgently instructed me to convey to you, Mr. President, and I am reading from the telegram I received from them, Mr. President Kosygin, Pogorny, and others, their sincere appreciation for your kind words of sympathy in connection with the tragic death of the cosmonauts Dabrowolski, Volkov, and Patsaev.
That's their name.
Mr.
Leaders, the telegram going on, of the Soviet Union, as the whole people of our country,
feel this loss very keenly.
The exploits of the parish explorers of the outer space, be they Soviets or Americans, are worthy of the highest respect since they gave their lives in the name of humanity for its progress.
The Soviet leaders send their hearty and deepest gratitude to you, Mr. President, personally, and to all members of your family for your kind expression of sympathy which you conveyed yesterday.
Well, that's a very gracious wire, and I thank you very much.
And I thank you for what you called me yesterday, because it's very important, and I do appreciate that both of our leaders exchanged on this other set occasion, but I should say the expression of sympathy.
Right.
Well, as I told you, our whole family feels that way, even my daughter called from Athens.
Yes, and I mentioned exactly that.
Did you tell them?
I emphasize that to all members of your family, wife and your daughters, not only for you personally, but for all your family.
I know for the first time they go to the family affairs.
Usually they do not go.
I noticed that.
I noticed that.
Well, thank you very much for your call yesterday, and thank you very much for today.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Goodbye, Mr. President.
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