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Conversation 860-004

TapeTape 860StartWednesday, February 21, 1973 at 3:12 PMEndWednesday, February 21, 1973 at 3:15 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Stennis, John C.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon briefed Senator John C. Stennis on recent developments in U.S.-China relations and the shifting status of the conflict in Southeast Asia. Nixon discussed the implementation of a ceasefire in Laos, the planned establishment of reciprocal liaison offices with China, and commitments from the Chinese government regarding the release of American prisoners. These discussions aimed to keep the Senator informed on foreign policy initiatives intended to stabilize the region and strategically manage relations with both China and the Soviet Union.

U.S.-China relationsLaos ceasefireSoutheast AsiaPrisoners of warLiaison officesForeign policy
AudioNARA Description

On February 21, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and John C. Stennis met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:12 pm to 3:15 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 860-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 860-4

Date: February 21, 1973
Time: Between 3:12 pm and 3:15 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Sen. John C. Stennis.

[See Conversation No. 43-152]
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                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Nov.-09)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I'm just checking in to see how you're feeling this week.
Yeah.
Yeah, yes.
Well, it's coming along all right, isn't it?
Right.
Right.
Good.
Good.
Good.
You're good.
Well, we were glad to see that lot of ceasefire.
That's okay.
It's okay.
All these things are very fragile because these comments can't be trusted, but
At least the Laos needs fire like the Vietnam one.
It means we will be able to discontinue our air attacks there, which is good.
And I'm getting quite lost.
Well, another thing, too, it'll save us a little money that we'll probably have to use for other purposes.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah, we thought we'd get it a little sooner, but they're about a week late, but they are fighting an argument.
We're going to have interest, what we call sort of an office, let them have an office here simply.
for discussion, and we'll have one in the game.
Now, that will not in any way differentiate upon the Taiwanese.
It's not recognition, but you know there are countries where you do not have relations, where you have sort of a...
The purpose of this will be to trade matters and that sort of thing.
So that'll be announced tomorrow.
But more important than that, we got very good assurance of cooperation from them on Southeast Asia.
How they will, what they will do, we don't know.
We have reasons that they'll help.
He won't say too much about that publicly, but privately, the assurances are very good.
A couple other things he asked that he will announce tomorrow.
They have two flyers, you know, in China.
Now they will be released in the next three weeks.
And then they also have this thought of now.
and they say the last half of this year they're going to examine his sentence.
That's all we'll announce.
It's also another defense plan, you know, to keep the Russians a little loose, too.
You know?
Yeah.
Well, well, well, I appreciate it for this.
Thank you for coming along.
Okay, bye.
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