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Conversation: 718-001

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Start Date: 3-May-1972 7:58 AM

End Date: 3-May-1972 8:09 AM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")

Recording Device: Oval Office

Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:02:42

Full Tape Conversation End Time: 00:13:27

718a.mp3

718b.mp3

NARA Description:

On May 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 7:58 am to 8:09 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 718-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 718-1

Date: May 3, 1972
Time: 7:58 am - 8:09 am
Location: Oval Office

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

     Nelson A. Rockefeller
          -Public appearance
               -Time

     Adm. Thomas H. Moorer

     J. Edgar Hoover
          -Funeral
                -Time
                -Length
                -President's eulogy
                      -Length
                -Prayers
                      -Rev. Edward G. Latch
                      -Rev. Edward L.R. Elson
                -Cemetery
                -Television coverage
                      -Response of Elson
          -President's remarks
                -Network stories
                      -Parts covered
                      -Dr. Benjamin (McLane) Spock’s remarks
                      -John W. Chancellor’s remarks
                            -President's eulogy
                            -The President’s May 3, 1972 statement
                                  -Federal Bureau of Investigations [FBI]
          -Flags
                -FBI
          -Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS] special
                                         2

                NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                 Tape Subject Log
                                   (rev. Dec-01)
                                                                   Conv. No. 718-1 (cont.)

Vietnam
     -North Vietnamese offensive
          -Loss of Quang Tri
               -Evaluated
                    -Press reports
                          -New York Times
                          -General press accounts
                          -Words used
                          -Assessment of loss

President's dinner
     -Henry A. Kissinger's location
            -Press speculation
            -National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] news report
                 -Sequoia cruise with President and Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

Vietnam
     -US actions
          -Soviet Summit
               -Possible US announcement
                     -Cancellation instead of bombing
                          -Kissinger’s view
               -Effect on polls
               -Accomplishments
               -Cancellation risks
               -Value of cancellation
               -Cancellation
                     -Problems
     -Bombing
          -Domestic impact
     -Soviet Summit
          -Cancellation
               -Impact on the President's Vietnam policy
                     -“Doves”
                     -Congress
          -Support
                                              3

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. Dec-01)
                                                            Conv. No. 718-1 (cont.)

                     -“Hawks”
                         -Harry S. Dent
          -Bombing
              -Impact on Summit
                   -Kissinger

     President's schedule
          -Annapolis appearance
                 -Cancellation
                      -The President’s view
                            -Timing of the Soviet Summit

Haldeman left at 8:09 am.