Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 634-015
Date: Thursday, December 9, 1971 at 4:56 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/634-015
National Archives Catalog: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/417180299 (NAID 417180299)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] I'm sorry to put you through this, Mr. President, but this...
[0:03] I don't know.
[0:05] I think we're going to make it, though.
[0:07] I don't know.
[0:07] Yes, I think we're going to make it.
[0:09] I think it's well heard.
[0:11] I expect the state department will be loyal to the president, and I do expect they'll be loyal to the governor.
[0:18] Not that.
[0:19] I don't know what I think, but I'm interested.
[0:25] It's also the way you like that.
[0:26] Because they're...
[0:30] And they know they've disowned this thing.
[0:31] You know, I've been quoted from the news.
[0:34] Where they said the president is a moron.
[0:35] And I struck it to him in my thought pretty well where I said, I know the conventional diplomatic wisdom is you don't side with 60 million against 600 million.
[0:42] And I said, that isn't my attitude at all.
[0:43] It doesn't happen to be my view.
[0:46] It's not going to be the view of this government.
[0:56] We're sticking to it.
[1:00] Another way to stay around a bit over there.
[1:01] Another way that was made very well, too, which I can feel it.
[1:06] This was one of your great moments.
[1:07] I said, look, boys.
[1:08] You just couldn't understand it.
[1:10] Apparently, I'm going to get accursed because I'm not able to shine the rest.
[1:11] You get the impression I don't mean it.
[1:16] I said, I don't want you to understand it.
[1:30] is there isn't another political leader in this country who wouldn't say to himself, let's play it safe and go for the summit.
[1:37] And I think it will work.
[1:39] If it doesn't, well, I'm afraid.
[1:43] I'll say that.
[1:44] Mr. President, if the PACs don't play, then what do we say to the Russians?
[1:53] That we are prepared to make that appeal with them.
[1:55] Then they'll have to say we can't deliver the PACs.
[1:58] Nature has to take its course.
[2:02] Or we say, no, we still tell the Russians to tell the Indians to stay the hell out of West Pakistan.
[2:07] That's right.
[2:08] Then they have the east.
[2:09] Then they'll say they have the east, but they must leave West Pakistan.
[2:11] That's right.
[2:12] That's our backup position, as I see it.
[2:14] I think that's the inevitable position.
[2:17] No, I think the Paks will play, but if they don't, they'll have to go.
[2:22] Now, why do you see homes?
[2:26] Now, why do you say I don't live?
[2:27] If the thing goes, let me take the time.
[2:29] All right.
[2:32] and then put down his concerto and he can't have pride.