Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 780 › Conversation 780-006

Nixon, Haldeman & Ziegler on Henry Kissinger and Soviet Union

Saturday, September 16, 1972 · 9:24 AM–9:26 AM ET · Oval Office ·2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob"); Ziegler, Ronald L.Conversation780-006 onTape 780StartSaturday, September 16, 1972 at 9:24 AMEndSaturday, September 16, 1972 at 9:26 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 780-006 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate logistics and media strategy surrounding Henry Kissinger’s recent diplomatic mission to the Soviet Union. The participants specifically discussed the staging and aesthetics for upcoming photography sessions, including lighting and outdoor locations to capture Kissinger’s meetings with the President and Secretary of State William Rogers. Nixon emphasized a desire for natural interaction, moving away from formal, static poses to highlight the significance of the diplomatic briefings.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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I don't know the sensitivities, but he briefed the secretary this morning.

So what the fact of the matter is, he got a picture of the secretary.

The point of it is that Henry Kissinger went on a mission from the press.

Well, he turned to the report.

But what I had in mind was not sitting at ease or walking around.

What do you mean sitting outside, sir?

You're walking as if you said hello, rather than standing up.

Why not just have a first meeting?

What do you mean by that?

We've done the walking steps.

I don't think it might be sitting on the chair.

Yeah.

NARA Description

On September 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:24 am to 9:26 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 780-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 780-6

Date: September 16, 1972
Time: 9:24 am – 9:26 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman and Ronald L. Ziegler.

             Henry A. Kissinger's forthcoming press conference
                -Photograph session with the President
                -Briefing of William P. Rogers

             Kissinger's recent trip to Soviet Union
                 -Importance of mission
                     -Meeting with Leonid I. Brezhnev
                     -Possible scenarios

                                          (rev. Oct-06)

                  -Media coverage
                     -Meeting with the President
                     -Kissinger's schedule on trip
                     -Photograph arrangements
                          -Rose Garden
                          -Terrace
                          -Lighting
                              -Ziegler’s forthcoming conversation with Oliver F. (“Ollie”)
                              Atkins

Ziegler left at 9:25 am.

Also recorded on September 16, 1972

780-002 9:13 AM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:13 am and 9:24 am.
780-003 9:13 AM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:13 am and 9:24 am.
780-004 9:13 AM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:13 am and 9:24 am.
780-005 9:13 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:13 am and 9:24 am.
780-007 9:26 AM · 53 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Charles W. Colson, Stephen B. Bull, Henry A. Kissinger, unknown person(s), Alexander P. Butterfield, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:26 am to 10:20 am.
780-008 10:20 AM · 20 sec — Ronald L. Ziegler and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:41 am.
780-009 10:20 AM · 8 sec — Alexander P. Butterfield and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:41 am.
780-010 10:20 AM · 13 sec — United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:20 am and 10:41 am.

All 36 conversations from September 16, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 780-006, September 16, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/780-006 (accessed September 18, 2026).