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Conversation 686-007

TapeTape 686StartFriday, March 17, 1972 at 10:09 AMEndFriday, March 17, 1972 at 10:13 AMTape start time00:30:15Tape end time00:33:32ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger coordinated strategy ahead of a National Security Council meeting involving William Rogers, Melvin Laird, and Gerard Smith. Their discussion focused on navigating complex negotiations regarding anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with the Soviet Union. Nixon determined that he would personally interject to override Smith’s position if necessary to ensure administration control over the defense posture.

National Security CouncilAnti-ballistic missilesSoviet UnionDefense policyGerard C. SmithStrategic arms negotiations
AudioNARA Description

On March 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:09 am to 10:13 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 686-007 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 686-7

Date: March 17, 1972
Time: 10:09 - 10:13 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

      The President's forthcoming meeting with the National Security Council [NSC]
           -William P. Rogers
           -Melvin R. Laird
           -Defense Department
           -Gerard C. Smith
                 -Anti-ballistic missiles [ABMs]
                 -Submarine-launched ballistic missiles [SLBMs]
                       -Joint Chiefs of Staff [JCS]
                 -Soviet Union
                 -Possible leak
           -Laird

The President and Kissinger left at 10:13 am.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

If you could lean, there's this thing in your top side.
See that?
My recommendation is that you rule the game, but not as to me, but as to other folks I'm very interested in.
Because Smith is trying to get us out of the field at the end.
If he can't get us out of the field, I rule this defense.
It gives me the heart, and I'll try to do it.
I'll present this defense as a heart check, and if you want me to read for that, give me a chance to do it, and I'll be interested in it, and I'll go ahead and do that at the end.
Well, here's the answer.
There's also what he wants next, that is to say, one side.
Now, one side, after he started with 12, it's going to put him in a hell of a hole.
I'm just going to tell him, I'm going to leave him to say that I don't agree with that.
And I'm going to show him what I'm going to let him do.
So I think it's okay to rule this sort of thing on.
He's got to believe it.
He's got to believe it.
We're going to get it.
Now we've got to put it up there too.
It's going to make less of it without it.
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