Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 909 › Conversation 909-020

Nixon & Ziegler on West German relations and Willy Brandt

Wednesday, May 2, 1973 · 10:43 AM–10:46 AM ET · Oval Office · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Conversation909-020 on Tape 909StartWednesday, May 2, 1973 at 10:43 AMEndWednesday, May 2, 1973 at 10:46 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 909-020 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate the logistical details for an upcoming meeting with West German officials, including Chancellor Willy Brandt and Foreign Minister Walter Scheel. The discussion focuses on scheduling a photo opportunity to occur at the end of the session to avoid any appearance of conflict. Additionally, the pair briefly touches upon administrative concerns, including the roles of Vice President Spiro Agnew and John Connally, alongside ongoing developments regarding the Watergate scandal and Cabinet-level appointments.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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It could appear to be a reaction to conflict
Did Henry raise that with you?
No way.
Apparently at some point you're going to meet with five of them who are the foreign ministers and so forth.
Maybe that's the end of the meeting today.
You all worked that out.
I don't care.
We'll have one picture.
It would not be at the beginning.
At the end, and that's when we do the picture.
Good.
Okay, sir.
Yes, sir?

NARA Description

On May 2, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:43 am to 10:46 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 909-020 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 909-20

Date: May 2, 1973
Time: 10:43 am - 10:46 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.

       Spiro T. Agnew’s role in administration
              -News release
                     -John B. Connally’s announcement
                     -Quadriad and Domestic Council
              -John D. Ehrlichman

       Connally’s telephone call to President
             -Announcement

       Watergate
             -President’s remarks on Charles H. Percy in Cabinet meeting
                    -Elliot L. Richardson

       President’s schedule
              -Meeting with Willy Brandt
                      -Photo opportunity
                             -Walter Scheel
                                               -27-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                               Conversation No. 909-30 (cont’d)

                         -President’s conversation with Henry A. Kissinger
                                -Meeting with West German officials, Scheel

Ziegler left at 10:46 am.

Also recorded on May 2, 1973

  • 045-138 10:31 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:31 am and 10:43 am.
  • 909-018 10:31 AM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:31 am and 10:43 am.
  • 909-019 10:31 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:31 am and 10:43 am.
  • 909-021 10:47 AM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:47 am to 10:49 am.
  • 909-022 10:49 AM · 48 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Thomas Hart met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:49 am to 10:54 am.
  • 909-023 10:54 AM · 25 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:54 am and 11:04 am.
  • 909-024 10:54 AM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:54 am and 11:04 am.
  • 909-034 10:54 AM · 7 sec — unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:54 am and 11:04 am.

All 82 conversations from May 2, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 909-020, May 2, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/909-020 (accessed October 5, 2026).