President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and subsequently Arthur F. Burns to discuss high-stakes foreign policy and domestic economic stabilization. The conversation touched upon the delicate diplomatic handling of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, specifically focusing on managing the threat of conflict between India and Pakistan and coordinating messages to the USSR and Vietnam. Regarding the economy, Nixon and Burns reviewed the money supply, interest rates, and potential contingency plans for the Pay Board should labor leaders like George Meany resist wage stabilization policies.
On November 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:25 pm to 12:49 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 615-025 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 615-25
Date: November 5, 1971
Time: 12:25 pm - 12:49 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Henry A. Kissinger and an unknown man.
[The recording begins at an unknown time while the meeting was is progress]
48
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
The President's schedule
-Departure time
-Helicopter
-Meeting with Arthur F. Burns
Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 12:25 pm.
The President's schedule
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 12:30 pm.
Kissinger's schedule
Bull left at an unknown time before 12:30 pm.
The President's previous conversation with Indira Gandhi
-The President's preceding conversation with William P. Rogers
-US aid
-Possible war
-The President’s forthcoming trip to the People’s Republic of China [PRC]
-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]
-Middle East
-Vietnam
-Possible US military action
-Possible message to Vietnamese, USSR
-The President's 1969 visit to India
-Cambodia
-Tone
Gandhi's visit to Cabinet
Gandhi’s visit
-Significance
Arthur F. Burns entered at 12:30 pm.
Kissinger's conversation with Burns
United States foreign policy
-State Department
-Kissinger's role
49
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 615-25 (cont.)
-Willy Brandt
-Peter G. Peterson
Kissinger's schedule
-Washington Star event
-Soviet reception
Kissinger left at 12:31 pm.
White House dinner for Gandhi, November 4, 1971
-Julie Nixon Eisenhower
Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 12:31 pm.
Refreshments
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 12:49 pm.
**************************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[National Security]
[Duration: 51s ]
INDIA
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
**************************************************************************
Middle East
-India's position
-United Arab Republic [UAR]
-Gamal Abdel Nasser
India
-US aid
50
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 615-25 (cont.)
-US popular opinion
-USSR
National economy
-Money supply
-Reactions
-Economic indicators
-Unemployment
-Prices
-Money supply
-Expansion
-Timing
-The President's letter to Burns
-Rose Mary Woods
-Copies
-John B. Connally, Peterson and George P. Shultz
-Interest rates
-Calls to Woods
-Bernard J. (“Bunny”) Lasker
-Gustave L. Levy
-Burns's previous meetings with members of the Federal Advisory Council and
former Federal Reserve Board [FRB] members
Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 12:31 pm.
Arrangements for photograph
Bull left and the White House photographer entered at an unknown time before 12:49 pm.
The White House photographer left at an unknown time before 12:49 pm.
National economy
-Money supply
-Burns's meetings, November 4, 1971
-Attendees
-Bankers, industrials
-FRB policy
-Milton Friedman
Bull entered at an unknown time after 12:31 pm.
51
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 615-25 (cont.)
Instructions regarding briefcase
Bull left at an unknown time before 12:49 pm.
National economy
-Money supply
-Expansion
-Dividend guideline
-Connally
-Charles W. Colson's call to Burns
-Quadriad meeting
-Pay Board
-Wage settlements
-Retroactivity
-Congress
-George Meany's possible action
-The President's response
-Re-imposition of freeze
-Cost of Living Council [COLC]
-Discretion
-Teachers
-Appeal for moderation
-Re-imposition of freeze
-Delay
-Money supply
-Dwight D. Eisenhower's economic advisors
-1960
-The President's relations with Burns, Paul W. McCracken and unknown person
The President’s schedule
-Recent meeting with Indians
Bull entered at an unknown time after 12:31 pm.
The President’s schedule
Bull left at an unknown time before 12:49 pm.
National economy
-The President's forthcoming conversation with Wright Patman
-Stabilization program
52
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/06)
Conv. No. 615-25 (cont.)
-Talking paper
-Bull
Patman's schedule
-Pauline (Tucker) Patman
-Forthcoming dinner for Emilio Garrastazu Medici
-The President’s forthcoming call to Patman
Federal budget
-1954
-Wage contracts
-1956
-Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster
-1970
-Caspar W. (“Cap”) Weinberger
-Tax incentives
-Politics
-March 1972
-Weinberger
The President's schedule
-Florida
The President's conversation with Indira Gandhi
-Tone
-Unknown woman and man
Money supply
Burns left at 12:49 pm.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.