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Conversation 023-070

TapeTape 23StartTuesday, April 25, 1972 at 2:13 PMEndTuesday, April 25, 1972 at 2:15 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed upcoming public relations strategy regarding the Vietnam War, specifically noting Governor Ronald Reagan's strong support for the administration's bombing campaign. Kissinger reported that he shared speech materials with Soviet diplomat Yuli Vorontsov to clarify the U.S. position amidst intense press speculation. The two agreed to maintain a unified message and avoid further media contact ahead of a scheduled afternoon meeting to finalize the President's speech.

Vietnam WarBombing CampaignRonald ReaganPublic RelationsYuli VorontsovSpeech Drafting
AudioNARA Description

On April 25, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 2:13 pm to 2:15 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-070 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 23-70

Date: April 25, 1972
Time: 2:13-2:15 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

[See also Conversation No. 332-48C]

     Kissinger's call to Katharine L. Graham
          -Return call

     Meeting with Kissinger

     Vietnam
          -Bombing
                -Ronald W. Reagan's support
          -News reports
          -Press conference
                -Questions
                     -Yuli M. Vorontsov
                     -Responses

     Kissinger's meeting with the President
           -Review of speech
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello?
Mr. Kissinger, sir.
Ready?
Mr. President?
Hi, Henry.
Uh, did you talk to Kay Graham?
I put him... Yeah, she wasn't there.
I called her, and she was out, and I'm waiting for her return call.
Fine, fine.
We'll see you about 3.15, okay?
Okay, we talked to Reagan.
He's delighted.
Was he?
Oh, yeah.
Great.
He says, just as long as we keep doing the other things.
Bombing, right.
He understands everything else, not only understanding.
And you feel the play, the thing that you're seeing is okay.
What is your feeling?
Too heavy on Vietnam.
Yeah, I know, a little too heavy, but...
you couldn't avoid that, could you?
No, and I sent the text over to Vorontsov so that he sees I didn't start it.
You didn't do a damn thing.
As a matter of fact, the president didn't.
And that we tried to, but the press is speculating.
Put this on the basis of the press speculating on a Vietnam, okay?
Right, right, right.
But I think we are in great shape.
Fine.
The press is all calling.
I'm not talking to them.
Don't, don't, don't call them.
Don't talk to them.
They're all...
They must be out of their goddamn minds.
Absolutely.
Yeah, three o'clock, as I said, I've got the speech, and we'll go over it with you, and then sleep about it, okay?
Right.
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