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Conversation 725-033

TapeTape 725StartTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 12:49 PMEndTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 12:53 PMTape start time03:56:38Tape end time04:01:57ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Karim, Knayet;  Hoskinson, Samuel;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Enayet Karim and Samuel Hoskinson to formally express the United States' desire to establish friendly relations with the newly independent nation of Bangladesh. During the discussion, the President emphasized a commitment to providing humanitarian aid to help the country recover from the suffering caused by recent conflict. Nixon also shared personal anecdotes about his past relationships with former Pakistani officials from East Pakistan to foster rapport with the delegation as they moved to establish a diplomatic mission in Washington.

BangladeshUS Foreign PolicyDiplomatic RelationsHumanitarian AidSouth Asia
AudioNARA Description

On May 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Knayet Karim, Samuel Hoskinson, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:49 pm to 12:53 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 725-033 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 725-33

Date: May 16, 1972
Time: 12:49 - 12:53 p.m.
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Enayet Karim and Samuel Hoskinson; the White
House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.

      Greetings

      [Photograph session]
          -Arrangements

      Bangladesh
         -Establishment of US relations
         -US cooperation
               -Humanitarian aid
         -Suffering
               -India
               -Pakistan

      Pakistan
          -Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
          -Time article

      Bangladesh
         -Problems
               -US aid
         -People
         -Appreciation to US
         -Problems
               -War
               -Rebuilding
         -The President’s previous meeting
               -Mohammed Ali Jinnah
                    -Prime Minister
               -Hoolamad [?]
                    -Governor - General under Mohammed Ali
               -Mohammed Ali
                    -Relationship with President
                    -East Pakistan

                                          (rev. Jan-02)

                      -The President’s view
                      -Wife
                            -The President’s view
                      -Death
                      -Wife
                      -Party for President
                            -Karachi
                      -The President’s view
          -President's future meeting with Mujibur Rahman
                -Good wishes
          -US aid
                -State department
                -White House
          -Prime Minister
                -Use of term

      Karim
          -Residence in Washington
          -Setting up an embassy in Washington

Karim and Hoskinson left at 12:53 pm.
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.

You know, you just may give me the recommendation.
I know this might be a fight, but I just do our best.
I can't conscientiously, and I disagree with it, because if this all is here, it's going to be an eye-opener.
I'm sure of that.
There was two demonstrations.
Hi, John.
John, the best idea I had today was to go out there across the street
You see, we tend to think that what the New York Times and others say, the nervous knowledge is the country's death.
The country's divided about 60-40.
40% are scared.
Draft doctors and the rest, about 60% say, by God, show them the balls.
I don't think you're right.
Well, this whole hyponic thing.
Yeah, that's the hyponic thing.
So my mail, every letter I'm getting now from around the country says, tell the president we're going to have a great movement.
Along with other things.
I work with people.
Excuse me, Mr. President.
Hey, is there a meeting with Kissinger?
There's a man named Hoskinson they wanted to meet.
I don't think you know Hoskinson.
I don't care.
Like the letters here today.
He's got something on his mind.
Gross.
I mean, he's just been the title.
They let me in that.
They did?
Yeah.
I'm afraid I'll see him.
I'd love to, except I've got a reception.
I'll say hello for you.
Mr. President, how are you?
Yes, how are you?
Very nice to see you.
Nice to see you.
I'll step over for a picture here so we can have it on this here.
Okay, why don't you sit right here.
We're very glad to see you.
As you know, as I have written to you, we want to establish a good, friendly relationship with your country without any problems.
We have been trying to be helpful on the humanitarian side.
We want to be helpful in every way we can.
We want you to succeed because you've suffered too much now, and that's our attitude.
And, in fact, we're very anxious to have all the countries in the area succeed.
I mean, it's the tragedy of India, Pakistan, and now Bangladesh.
It must not be repeated.
I mean, you, of course, everybody, you know, here in Washington, you know, they do.
And, you know, those aren't many problems.
I was glad to know that the particle time yesterday, they're doing better than your people.
And you can be sure that we'll do everything we can to see that your country can go forward and deal with these problems in a way that will give the people not only a chance to survive, but a hope.
It's one of the first
Pakistani I ever met was from East Pakistan, Muhammad Ali.
Do you remember?
He died a few years later, but he was my host.
Well, do you remember Guliman?
Yes, I do.
He was the governor general at the time.
Muhammad Ali was the prime minister, and I had a wonderful relationship with him.
He was from East Pakistan, but he's gone.
I'd like you to find that, and a very nice wife, too.
He had no car with him.
He had no car with him, yeah.
Is his wife living with you?
He's, uh, she's still living with me.
If you ever happen to see her, tell her I actually brought her in.
Remember me?
I'm so proud of her, too.
You had a guy who brought her in, remember?
Who was there and brought you the lights and everything.
It was a lovely party.
It was a warm place.
A warm place.
A warm place.
A warm place.
A warm place.
Right.
A warm place.
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