President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss the urgent need to appoint a Special Prosecutor for the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the confirmation process for Elliot Richardson and the potential risks of selecting an independent candidate. The President expressed frustration with current legal strategies and directed Haig to coordinate with J. Fred Buzhardt to develop a new "game plan" to regain political initiative. Additionally, they reviewed scheduling logistics for John Connally and Henry Kissinger, as well as preparations for an upcoming presidential address regarding Vietnam and national economic policies.
On May 15, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:45 am and 11:07 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 918-015 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 918-15
Date: May 15, 1973
Time: Unknown between 10:45 am and 11:07 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
Watergate
-John W. Dean, III documents
-J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.
-Elliot L. Richardson
-Confirmation
-Special Prosecutor
-Special Prosecutor
-President’s role in appointing
-Richardson
-Role in investigation
-Vote count
-William E. Timmons
-Confirmation
-Vote count
-Timmons
-Buzhardt’s conversation with Haig, May 15, 1973
-18-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. June-2012)
Conversation No. 918-15 (cont’d)
-Special Prosecutor
-Harold R. Tyler, Jr.
-Buzhardt
-Need for quick appointment
-President’s role in appointing
-Richardson’s statement
-Dean
-Leonard Garment
-Richardson’s statement, May 14, 1973
-White House suggestions
Richardson
-Appointment
-Rejection
-Concern regarding Defense Department
-Dr. James R. Schlesinger
Watergate
-Special Prosecutor
President’s forthcoming speech
-John K. Andrews, Jr.
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Vietnam
-Phraseology
-Congressional action on Southeast Asia
John B. Connally’s schedule
-Stephen B. Bull
-George P. Shultz
-National economy
-Charles J. DiBona
-Energy
-Haig and Roy L. Ash
-Cabinet meetings
An unknown man entered at an unknown time after 10:45 am.
-19-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. June-2012)
Conversation No. 918-15 (cont’d)
Haile Selassie’s location
The unknown man left at an unknown time before 11:07 am.
Connally’s schedule
-Forthcoming meeting with Haig and Ash
-Forthcoming meeting with the President
Watergate
-Kissinger
-Joseph Kraft
-Wiretaps
-Kraft
-Plumbers
-National security
Haig left at an unknown time before 11:07 am.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.