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Conversation 795-003

TapeTape 795StartTuesday, October 10, 1972 at 11:54 AMEndTuesday, October 10, 1972 at 12:02 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Trampczynski, Witold;  Sonnenfeldt, Helmut ("Hal");  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Polish diplomat Witold Trampczynski and advisor Helmut Sonnenfeldt to review the President’s recent trip to Poland and discuss ongoing bilateral economic relations. The discussion touched on personal reflections regarding Edward Gierek, the importance of fostering trade—specifically regarding Polish ham exports—and the necessity of resolving technical negotiations involving bondholders and debt rescheduling. Nixon emphasized his commitment to fulfilling previous agreements while acknowledging that outstanding business and economic disputes required continued negotiation.

US-Poland relationsInternational tradeEdward GierekDebt reschedulingEconomic diplomacy
AudioNARA Description

On October 10, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Witold Trampczynski, Helmut ("Hal") Sonnenfeldt, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:54 am to 12:02 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 795-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 795-3

Date: October 10, 1972
Time: 11:54 am - 12:02 pm
Location: Oval Office

                                         (rev. Nov-03)

The President met with Witold Trampczynski and Helmut (“Hal”) Sonnenfeldt; the White House
photographer and members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting.

        Greetings
            -Casimir Pulaski Day

        Presentation of film on the President’s recent trip to Poland

        [Photograph session]

        The President's trip to Poland
            -Reception
            -Palace
            -Edward Giereck
                -The President’s view
                     -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
                           -Mrs. Giereck

        Polish Hams
            -Exports from Poland

        US-Poland negotiations
           -Science and Technology agreement
               -Dr. Edward E. David, Jr.
           -Bondholders
               -Export-Import [Ex-Im] Bank
                    -Soviet Union
                    -The President’s conversation with Henry Kearns
           -Debt rescheduling
               -Interest on payments
           -Sonnenfeldt’s role
               -Henry A. Kissinger
           -US-Soviet Union relations
           -US-Poland relations
               -Business problems

        Film

        Polish people

                                        (rev. Nov-03)

Trampczynski and Sonnenfeldt left at 12:02 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.

Mr. President, your master has welcomed you again.
Always glad to have you here.
I understand we have a bill in here, huh?
All right.
He is required to arrive at the next stop on the second floor.
Thank you.
Well, I want to say that we, uh, we always want the opportunity to, uh, be reminded at first that, very fine, this is a wonderful reception.
I think now, on this beautiful day of that magnificent house we stayed in, I was on the other side.
Ah, beautiful.
And, uh, the dinners and, uh, everything.
But mainly the talks, uh, and, uh, I, uh,
Gary is a strong man.
He's got the peace.
He's a good man.
He's a good man.
And his wife, I think that probably means the whole group over there.
I think there are outstanding people.
And I think our people that have gone there since I think you were there have been very impressed.
We've been trying to follow up on some of these things, and they haven't.
All of that moves as fast as we would like, but they're coming along.
They're coming along.
You've got any comments about this?
Yes, we have a few technical problems and some of the economic things, but it's all right.
I told you that on these things, we want to make sure that we keep the commitments we've made.
Mr. Gary, we're there, so we can show you hands on it.
We should be buying more Polish hands.
We really can.
As many as we can.
Yes, about over $60 million.
$60 million today.
Yes.
There are some difficulties today because the amount is not better in the area.
Improvements, you know, in the hands.
We have about one or two months' time.
I am very glad to inform you, Mr. President, that this is not so.
The second one is discussions with both holders.
They said, our points of view are not very close.
But I hope that in a short time...
There are always problems.
The word knows that.
It looks like today was the next day to come to some agreement.
Because the last thing discussed over one month was a long time.
Oh, yes.
Well, the attempt was actually two years with the Soviets.
Well, it's clear.
We were checking into that one.
I spoke to Kurt about it the other day.
I don't remember that last thing in front of the street.
I don't think it was that long.
It's the last fight with that problem officer.
He had it for 80 tables.
Yeah.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He had it for 80 tables.
He
This is the problem, the interest on the payments, and we'll have to take stock of where we are and come back a little later.
He does all the work we do.
I don't want, obviously we want to move forward with our various programs, it's very important to both countries and the universe, but I've told everybody that I don't want our arrangements and our agreements with other countries, like Poland this summer, here to have the same treatment, you know, in the same
particularly there's a special feeling because of our ties with Polish people, and so we work on this, we work on these things.
Of course there are these business problems, as you know, and they have to be negotiated.
Yes, I know it's an economic matter.
It must be negotiated.
It must be negotiated.
I have a very good question.
The last time you were on the side, there was a very interesting contraction of big companies, the corporations, the heavy factories.
Well, I hope you enjoyed it.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Oh yeah, make sure the new year is good.
You know, I hope so.
As I often said, the Polish people have suffered enough.
Now all they have to do is go forward.
Goodbye.
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