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Conversation 725-028

TapeTape 725StartTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 11:31 AMEndTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 11:35 AMTape start time03:34:53Tape end time03:40:00ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Connally, John B.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and John B. Connally discuss the logistics of Connally's upcoming diplomatic trip to Latin America, which is intended to counter regional influence while Nixon visits the Soviet Union. The two also coordinate the transition of the Treasury Department leadership, planning a joint walk to the department to announce George P. Shultz as the successor to the resigning Connally. Additionally, they touch upon recent international diplomatic missions, including Henry Kissinger's trip to the People's Republic of China and William P. Rogers' NATO engagement.

Latin America diplomacyTreasury DepartmentJohn B. ConnallyGeorge P. ShultzCabinet resignationForeign policy
AudioNARA Description

On May 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John B. Connally met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:31 am to 11:35 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 725-028 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 725-28

Date: May 16, 1972
Time: 11:31 am - 11:35 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with John B. Connally.

      Connally
         -Cabinet meeting
               -Comments
                     -President's appreciation
         -Trip to Latin America
               -President's discussion with Henry A. Kissinger
               -Colombia
               -Brazil
               -Argentina
               -Peru
                     -Reasons
                           -Chile
                           -Size
               -Connally's role

      Other trips
         -Kissinger
                -People’s Republic of China [PRC]
         -William P. Rogers

                                        (rev. Jan-02)

                -North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
           -The President’s trip to the Soviet Union

      Connally
         -Trip to Latin America
               -Role
               -Mexico
               -Timing with President's Soviet trip

      President's schedule
          -Announcement of Connally's resignation
                -George P. Shultz
                -President's statement
                      -Departure
                -Connally's statement
                      -Questions
                            -Ronald L. Ziegler
          -Walk to Treasury Department with Connally and Shultz
          -Meeting with Treasury Department staff
                -Time
          -Walk to Treasury Department
                -Purpose
                      -New York Times editorial
                -Handshaking with tourists
                -Secret Service protection

      George C. Wallace
         -Assassination attempt

The President and Connally left at 11:35 am.

                                         (rev. Jan-02)
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.

This is because John sat in for one minute before the other.
I haven't seen him a minute before.
I appreciate your nice comments.
What I had in mind was to talk to Henry, and he makes a hell of a good idea if you were going to go to, and we figured out the four countries, the four biggest, if you could do Colombia, Brazil, where you should spend a little more time, Argentina, and Peru.
Peru.
Well, Peru only because we're trying to stick it to Chile.
He's no good, but he's better than the other countries.
But Peru is a big country, that's the point.
So you could tell us what I have learned.
It's reporting, basically, Henry's going to go to China to report, and Rogers is going to go to NATO.
And I just had an idea that somebody came down and talked to these people after my trip.
I didn't see it.
Because I'm not the Mexican person here, so I will cover Mexico.
You can do that.
That's why I mean, when I talk to the press, I'll say that you agree with me.
Another thing I have in mind, I'd love to have you, the way I'll do this at all.
I'll make a brief statement, and then I'll leave.
Then I'll let you go on.
I do have a couple of questions, so I'll let Jose here cut it off quickly.
I've got a couple of questions for him.
Oh, I'm sure that, and then the other one I asked, didn't he, but that'll be also on file.
Right.
So we've got that.
And the other thing is, I thought I'd walk over to the tracer with you and George, and everyone, just walk over there.
And the, uh, you might want to call
You might want to get all of your staff together.
They're supposed to be gathering at 12 o'clock.
No, that's fine.
We won't be ready for 12 o'clock.
Because it's 25 o'clock.
Fair enough.
Yes, sir.
I think for any reason.
I don't believe in this business.
We've got a time zone.
And now all candidates are coming.
But nobody is on it.
I told him no increase in my service.
That's right.
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