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Conversation 003-075

TapeTape 3StartWednesday, May 19, 1971 at 7:55 PMEndWednesday, May 19, 1971 at 7:56 PMTape start time01:37:41Tape end time01:39:05ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon directed Henry Kissinger to organize an informal cocktail reception for Gerard C. Smith and the SALT delegation before their return to Vienna for further negotiations. While Kissinger initially expressed concern that the event might signal a loosening of oversight on the negotiators, Nixon clarified that the gathering was strictly social in nature. The President finalized plans to host the event in the State Dining Room, including the invitation of William P. Rogers, Melvin R. Laird, and Admiral Thomas H. Moorer.

SALTStrategic Arms Limitation TalksDiplomacyGerard C. SmithWhite House social events
AudioNARA Description

On May 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 7:55 pm to 7:56 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-075 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 003-075

Date: May 19, 1971
Time: 7:55 pm - 7:56 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger; background noise can be heard in the original
recording.

     President's schedule
          -A cocktail party, May 20, 1971
                 -Gerard C. Smith and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] delegation
                 -William P. Rogers
                 -Melvin R. Laird

     Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT]

     President's schedule
          -A cocktail party
                 -Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] delegates and wives
                 -Invitations
                       -H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                       -Rogers
                       -Laird
                       -Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
                 -Location
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Henry, I think you should go forward and invite Jerry Smith and the other members of the delegation to a cocktail at 6 o'clock tomorrow night.
Okay.
And, well, of course, I'll have Rogers and Laird there, too.
Can you tell me if it's a good idea?
Well, I frankly... No, this is a private thing.
No, but the only thing that worries me, Mr. President, is, and I'll tell you frankly what my concern is, these guys...
we've been sitting on them up to now and holding them on a very close range.
Now suddenly the floodgates are open, and I'm afraid they're going to think they have license to run wild in the negotiations.
But is it purely social and it's nothing?
No, no, it's purely social.
We'll just have a drink and thank them all and their wives, invite their wives to, you know, just stand around and thank them all before they go back to Vienna for these very important negotiations.
Okay.
That's what I mean, on that basis.
I think that's a good thing.
And call Haldeman, have him ask Bill if he could come, and naturally Laird and Moore should come, too.
We'll get those invitations.
Where is it, in your office or in your residence?
Oh, we'll have it at the residence.
We'll have it at the state dining room.
Right.
We'll get it done immediately.
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