Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 943
Nixon White House Tape 943 (June 18, 1973)
11 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 25 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Kissinger, Ziegler, Haig, Brezhnev
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig, Henry Kissinger, and Ronald Ziegler to finalize the logistics for Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev’s visit and to coordinate the administration’s strategy regarding the unfolding Watergate scandal. The participants discussed the summit schedule—including private sessions, signing ceremonies, and travel arrangements—and expressed frustration over negative media coverage, specifically regarding the potential impact of John Dean’s testimony. Nixon and his advisors resolved to maintain a tough, authoritative public image during the summit to ensure the success of the negotiations and to prevent domestic political turbulence from undermining the administration's foreign policy goals.
President Nixon, Ronald Ziegler, and Henry Kissinger met to strategize on managing the public relations fallout regarding John Dean's upcoming Ervin Committee testimony and recent damaging press reports. The group discussed methods to refute specific allegations—such as claims that the President authorized $1 million in hush money—while debating whether to address charges directly or maintain a strategy of calculated silence to avoid elevating Dean's profile. Additionally, Kissinger briefly consulted the President on messaging for the upcoming visit by Leonid Brezhnev to ensure the public perceived their diplomatic efforts as balanced rather than an attempt at global domination.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual, likely a press aide or logistics coordinator, to finalize arrangements for the upcoming visit of Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. The discussion focused on managing the media presence and optimizing television coverage for the President’s public remarks. They specifically addressed the strategic positioning of the press pool to ensure favorable visual documentation of the proceedings.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified staff member regarding the logistics of Soviet General Secretary Leonid I. Brezhnev’s upcoming visit. The discussion centered on an unexpected delay caused by inclement weather affecting helicopter transportation. The President sought confirmation on the revised timeline and inquired about the presence of Major John V. Brennan to ensure the itinerary remained coordinated.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the White House's strategic response to the impending Ervin Committee testimony of John Dean and related Watergate allegations. They evaluated potential legal and political risks, including reports of financial irregularities involving Charles Colson and concerns regarding IRS audits of Lawrence O'Brien. The meeting also briefly touched upon logistical scheduling for the upcoming visit of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to coordinate preparations for the upcoming official visit of Soviet General Secretary Leonid I. Brezhnev. The discussion centered on logistical and strategic planning regarding the summit proceedings. Following the brief consultation, the visitor departed, leaving the President to finalize arrangements for the high-profile diplomatic engagement.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to finalize logistical details regarding the upcoming visit of Soviet General Secretary Leonid I. Brezhnev. The discussion centered on planning the specific arrangements for the formal arrival ceremony at the White House. The meeting concluded with no further recorded developments before the participants departed the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev in the Oval Office to discuss the strengthening of U.S.-Soviet relations following their historic 1972 Moscow summit. The conversation centered on the necessity of building personal trust and confidence between the two leaders to facilitate long-term peace and cooperation, moving beyond historical Cold War tensions. Both leaders committed to a regular schedule of future summits and discussed the importance of expanding economic and cultural ties to solidify a new, stable era of superpower diplomacy.
Two unidentified individuals met in the Oval Office to discuss President Nixon’s upcoming schedule and arrangements regarding official photographs with Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. The dialogue focused on coordinating the logistics for these scheduled meetings and photo opportunities. No definitive decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met briefly with two unidentified individuals in the Oval Office to coordinate details regarding his official schedule. The discussion centered on logistics and upcoming appointments, serving as a functional administrative update. No definitive policy decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.
This brief meeting involved President Nixon and unidentified participants gathered in the Oval Office to facilitate an arrival ceremony. Due to the lack of a transcript and the short duration of the recording, no specific policy discussions or administrative decisions were documented. The session was primarily ceremonial in nature, concluding shortly before the participants exited the office.