TAPE #503 MAY 1972

"Henry would you like to join me?"
"Too early for me Mr. President."
"What news from the polls?"
"McGovern still trailing us by a few percentage points."
"We must make these talks work for us and hope people forget that Johnson started them."
"He did, but the important thing is that you will finish them Mr. President."
"Yes, you're right. You won't like what I am going to say but I always think that if they invent a computer in the future that talks to everything it will be called the Kissinger machine."
"No I do like it. These days we must be open to talk to anyone."
"I need to come across as someone committed to peace. What about Brezhnev? Will he sign?"
"He needs closer diplomatic ties. Achieving this will bring that about and, at home, distract from conflict in Vietnam."
"The most important thing is that I must be seen as the driving force behind this, not those we sent off to negotiate. We don't need Rogers. I can be my own Secretary of State."
"Haldeman will see to that Mr. President."
"I want my visit to Moscow, the first by an American President, to be a turning point in the history of the world. China in February, Russia in May. How can I not be portrayed as being a beacon for peace?"
"Indeed Mr. President and you could say you are pouring S.A.L.T. into the Democrats' open wounds."
"Very good Henry. I like that. Now, on another matter, how is CREEP progressing?"
"The wire taps aren't working properly. They'll have to go back next month."
"If caught they're on their own."
"Understood Mr. President."