Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 660 › Conversation 660-013

Nixon, Haldeman & Kissinger on China relations and Press relations

Saturday, January 29, 1972 · 12:12 PM–12:15 PM ET · Oval Office · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Kissinger, Henry A.Conversation660-013 on Tape 660 (tape position 03:41:21–03:45:03)StartSaturday, January 29, 1972 at 12:12 PMEndSaturday, January 29, 1972 at 12:15 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 660-013 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger met to discuss domestic political strategy and preparations for the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Haldeman advised against holding a press conference, warning that the administration would face aggressive questioning on sensitive issues like the budget deficit, Vietnam, and various controversies involving George Romney and Jack Anderson. The group also addressed recent press criticism, specifically discussing Kissinger's interactions with Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Pat agrees that you have a problem on Vietnam.

He argues strongly that we should not do a press conference on domestic violence.

The questions will be budget deficit, Romney's housing, busing, Romney's resignation, and Anderson's.

He says, unless you've got something you want to say, they're going to threaten us.

Well, that's one of the stories that's being pushed.

His point is, unless you've got something you want to say, they're going to threaten us.

This is just about Chinese class.

And here is an interesting fact about Monroe's meetings

I think I would rather leave those with you.

That's why I don't like to keep these folks around.

You know, it doesn't get as good once it's just, uh, my moments, uh, uh, my moments with my, uh, background.

Well, hey, give me a hug.

Give me a hug.

Oh, I can't do that.

Well, you know, it's a, uh, it's a tension that you're going to see.

Well, I'm glad you went to the party I was signing.

Well, they had it set for the three of us.

They were eating out of my hand.

Ah, and when Kate Graham calls, you apologize when I ignore you and say, but I thought you were a good lawyer.

I won't do it.

I don't think it's right.

Well, I don't think it's right.

It's pretty good.

But she said that I'm a good lawyer.

NARA Description

On January 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:12 pm to 12:15 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 660-013 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 660-013

Date: January 29, 1972
Time: 12:12 pm - 12:15 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

     Possible press conference
          -Patrick J. Buchanan
          -Vietnam
          -Domestic issues
                -Budget deficit
                -George W. Romney
                      -Housing
                -Busing
                -Resignation of John B. Connally
                -Jack N. Anderson papers

Henry A. Kissinger entered at an unknown time after 12:12 pm.

     The President’s forthcoming trip to the People’s Republic of China [PRC] trip
          -Preparation
               -Reading
                      -Book on Chinese manners
                      -James [?] Monroe
                      -Background

     Dinner attended by Kissinger, January 28, 1972
          -Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
          -Milton Viorst
                -Peter G. Peterson

     Criticism of the President
            -Katharine L. Graham’s call to Kissinger

       Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542

                 -Editorials in Washington Post
                 -Possible request for call to editorial writer
                       -Response by Kissinger

The President, et al. left at 12:15 pm.

Also recorded on January 29, 1972

019-165 10:47 AM · 2 min — H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, President Richard M. Nixon H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman and Idanell ("Nellie") (Brill) Connally talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:47 am and 11:44 am.
019-168 12:10 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:10 pm and 12:12 pm.
019-169 12:10 PM · 48 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:10 pm and 12:12 pm.
660-009 12:10 PM · 19 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:10 pm.
660-010 12:10 PM · 2 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:10 pm and 12:12 pm.
660-011 12:10 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:10 pm and 12:12 pm.
660-012 12:10 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:10 pm and 12:12 pm.
660-014 12:15 PM · 11 sec — United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:15 pm and 11:59 pm.

All 26 conversations from January 29, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 660-013, January 29, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/660-013 (accessed October 12, 2026).