Conversation 908-012

TapeTape 908StartTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 10:34 AMEndTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 10:36 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; [Unknown person(s)]Recording deviceOval Office

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate the agenda for an upcoming visit with West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. The discussion centered on discouraging European efforts to weaken defense ties with the United States via the European Security Conference, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of keeping Europe aligned with American security interests. This strategic messaging was intended to bolster Brandt’s domestic political position against leftist factions within his own government.

Willy BrandtEuropean securityNATOCold War diplomacyU.S.-West German relations

Audio

NARA Description

On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:34 am to 10:36 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 908-012 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 908-12

Date: May 1, 1973
Time: 10:34 am-10:36 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

       Order

       President’s schedule       

              -Willy Brandt         

                      -Photograph        

              -Kissinger and Egon Bahr 


       President’s forthcoming meeting with Brandt 

              -Europe’s defense        

                                             -11-


                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 


                                      Tape Subject Log 

                                     (rev. October-2012)

                                                           Conversation No. 908-12 (cont’d)

                     -US role
                     -European Security Conference
                             -Brandt’s domestic position
                                    -Leftists [?]
                                    -President’s support
               -Consultation      

                     -Concessions         


       Anatoliy F. Dobrynin’s schedule 

              -Letter      

              -Agreements        

              -US-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] summit 

                      -Announcement [?]

An unknown man entered and Kissinger left at 10:36 am.

       President’s schedule      

              -William P. Rogers        


The unknown man left at 10:36 am.

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.

Yeah, the way we'll do it is that they'll take a picture of you and...

Right.

And then, after a few minutes, that bar and I will come in.

Fine.

Oh, I believe you.

The major thing to get across to them is they have a tendency to say that defense is the only bond we have.

Now, that sounds very tough.

But that means that if they can find a substitute for it through European Security Conference, they can squeeze us out of Europe.

And whatever you can say as strongly as you feel on the danger of neutralizing Europe and spreading Europe from America will strengthen Brandt against his own leftists.

I mean, we shouldn't say that Brandt is not a crucial one, but I think that the government is going to have to reach to some of the points

I'm still thinking.

You believe that's all it says, huh?

It was made one day.

All right.

That is it.

That can't be the answer to that account, is it?

I'll wait outside until the pictures are taken and submitted.

Yeah, I know.

You said it, boy.

You might as well go back out and check your records right outside of the way you walked over me.

Thank you.

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