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Conversation 943-005

TapeTape 943StartMonday, June 18, 1973 at 10:35 AMEndMonday, June 18, 1973 at 10:40 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.;  [Unknown person(s)]Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

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.

WatergateJohn DeanErvin CommitteeCharles ColsonIRS auditsLeonid BrezhnevWhite House strategy
AudioNARA Description

On June 18, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:35 am to 10:40 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 943-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 943-5

Date: June 18, 1973
Time: 10:35 am - 10:40 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Watergate
          -John W. Dean, III
                -J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.
                -$4,000, $12,000
                                      -16-

             NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                               (rev. August-2011)

                                                      Conversation No. 943-5 (cont’d)

                 -Charles W. Colson
           -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
     -White House statement
     -David R. Gergen
           -Raymond K. Price
     -June 18, 1973 Washington Post story
           -Ronald L. Ziegler

President’s schedule
      -Leonid I .Brezhnev visit
            -Signing of agreements
                  -Schedule
                        -Economic agreements
                        -Sequoia

Watergate
     -Dean
           -White House response
                 -Colson
                 -Ziegler’s views
                 -Buzhardt, Charles Allen Wright
           -Haldeman’s possible testimony
           -$12,000
                 -Colson
           -Possible Larceny of $4,000
           -Fred D. Thompson
           -Colson
                 -Buzhardt’s view
     -Story concerning President’s role in break-in
     -Internal Revenue Service [IRS] audits
           -Lawrence F. O’Brien
           -$200,000
           -George P. Shultz
     -Dean
           -Forthcoming Ervin Committee testimony
                 -Buzhardt’s view
                 -Thompson
                                            -17-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. August-2011)

                                                               Conversation No. 943-5 (cont’d)

                       -Edward J. Gurney

An unknown man entered at an unknown time after 10:35 am.

     Brezhnev visit
          -Weather delays

The unknown man left at an unknown time before 10:40 am.

     Brezhnev visit

Haig left at an unknown time before 10:40 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.

Thank you.
I just want to be sure that we have a hold of these things.
Because I know they're thinking about a lot of these things.
I don't know.
Well, we, the best thing is Bob, and it's just a, it's just a large thing at all.
We've got to have a seat.
As a witness, he said.
But wait, who makes this question?
Well, of course, in the face of this long path.
You understand that it's our counselor, a counselor, a counselor in it that he has limited it.
A $4,000 license.
he said there was fun
Well, Fred is not an optimist.
He's known that.
Oh, I know.
I saw him in the viewer, and he said he never felt tired in his existence.
In fact, it's going to be a big dud.
That's why they're desperate.
The same thing.
Also, the same one that he's aware of.
That is, we were trying to get the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the O'Brien thing that I got.
Not sure what I got.
$200,000, huh?
Nothing wrong with that.
That's just politics, isn't it?
Well, I just want to be sure.
You see, we've got a lot of that in terms of public relations.
We're on this long series.
One of the reasons is I already have a lot of reactions to the committee questions.
He's not sure whether it's the larceny or if it's just the whole weakness of his case and his allegations, but he said there's a definite sense of desperation on the part of it.
They've created a guy as a key witness, and it's not going to do the job.
They tell us he's gotten very tough with Thompson.
Threatening.
Oh, like what?
He obviously looked that day.
Like, good.
We're going to have long memories here, and he's fed up with us.
He's also looking all dirty.
In another 10 minutes, sir.
10-50.
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