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Conversation 658-016

TapeTape 658StartThursday, January 27, 1972 at 2:17 PMEndThursday, January 27, 1972 at 2:20 PMTape start time04:14:59Tape end time04:16:39ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  White House operatorRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon discusses the risks of releasing records of secret negotiations, emphasizing the need to protect sensitive diplomatic communications to maintain the possibility of future private talks. He explains his strategic decision to disclose only the facts of the discussions rather than full transcripts to safeguard national security interests. Additionally, Nixon touches upon the administration's delicate efforts to manage relationships with China and the Soviet Union regarding ongoing international issues.

DiplomacySecret negotiationsChina-US relationsSoviet-US relationsInformation controlNational security
AudioNARA Description

On January 27, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:17 pm and 2:20 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 658-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 658-16

Date: January 27, 1972
Time: Unknown between 2:17 pm and 2:20 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with the White House operator.

[See Conversation No. 19-135]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

No, sir.
Well, they need, uh, it seems he got the, I don't know if they were going in there, he said, sir, this was the only risk of letting this out.
As I saw it, I had a long soul-searching talk with both the Rockies and Henry Corbin on this plan.
I said, well, now if we put this out, it just means they will not talk secretly again.
We do not actually believe it.
That's one of the reasons that I have not left.
I've said, I do not put out a whole record of conversations.
All you need to do is to put out the fact.
The fact of what we are and what they can tell.
Because both sides said things in those conversations that went further than that you might well get to see.
And so we're protecting that top of the shelf, because in the final analysis, these types of things are usually, are usually, you know, well, they are centralized here, as well as other things, but there's definitely, you remember World War I, World War II, everything, there's always, so we've got it open.
I want a couple other things for your own information, you should know them.
We're in a very close touch, and we would deny it if we set the Chinese on the situation.
We are in a very close touch with the Russians on it.
Now, I am of course praying that it will not be an issue with the time we get to toward Russia.
I am convinced that it is.
They have not been helpful at this point.
But my mind is, that's awful late, but I must say that on this proposal, we informed the district, but it also informed, we informed both the Russians.
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