On June 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Sultan ibn Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, Ibrahim al-Sowayel, Melvin R. Laird, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Camile Nowfel, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:04 pm to 3:45 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 735-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 735-014
Date: June 15, 1972
Time: 3:04-3:45 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Sultan ibn Abd al-Aziz, Ibrahim al-Sowayel, Melvin R. Laird, Alexander
M. Haig, Jr., and Camile Nowfel.
[Members of the press and the White House photographer were present at the beginning of the
meeting.]
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[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2014-009. Segment partially declassified with 25m41s cleared for release and
15m06s remains exempt as 735-014-w001 per Executive Order 13526 50x6, on 11/17/2017.
Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[735-014-w001]
[Duration: 25m 41s]
Introductions
Seating
Photographs
Sultan's meeting with Laird
General conversation
Mrs. Nixon’s forthcoming trip to Texas
The President’s conversation with Melvin R. Laird
-Official United States [US] position of support
-Saudi Arabia’s difficulties in Middle East
The President’s conversation with the Shah of Iran
-Iran’s relationship with Saudi Arabia
Iraq
-Dangers to confront
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, oil producing countries, Jordan
-Importance to security
Jordan
-Support from Saudi Arabia and Iran
-King Hussein I
-Abilities
-Survival
Saudi-U.S. Relations
-Message from King Malik Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Saud
-Well wishes
-The President’s efforts for peace
-United States [US] position in the world
-President Nixon synonymous with peace
-Saudi Arabian relations
-Iran
-Jordan
-Kuwait
-Friendship with most Middle East countries
-Bahrain
-Future visit by William P. Rogers
-Base
-Planned Naval usage
-Melvin R. Laird's previous meeting with Sultan
-Development of Saudi military
-Training
-Equipment
-Sultan’s meeting with Melvin R. Laird and service secretaries
-United States [US] support
-F-5 program
-United States [US] support
-Department of Defense [DoD] contract
-Military cooperation among Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran
-Iraq
-Support of subversive elements
-Saudi relations with Iran
-Faisal
-Borders
-Saudi Relations with Kuwait
-Borders
-Land and sea
-Territory ceded to Kuwait
-Policy of Saudi Arabia
-Peace
-Building not destroying
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[National Security]
[735-014-w001]
[Duration: 15m 06s]
SAUDI ARABIA
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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Saudi-United States [US] Relations
-Maintain close ties
-Message from King Faisal
-Invitation from Melvin R. Laird
-Well wishes of health and success
-Mutual concerns
-Peace and stability and security in Middle East
-Well wishes to American people
-The President’s response to Faisal
-Haig
-Saudi policies
-Friendship and cooperation with United States [US]
-Possible visit to Saudi Arabia by the President
-Laird's visit
-King Faisal
-Invitation to Laird and the President
-Prince Fahd
-Personal greetings
-Sultan's gifts to the President and family
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Sultan ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, al-Sowayel, Laird, Haig, and Nowfel left at 3:45 pm.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.