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Conversation 037-059

TapeTape 37StartMonday, March 5, 1973 at 4:44 PMEndMonday, March 5, 1973 at 4:46 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Stennis, John C.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Stennis, John C.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon calls Senator John C. Stennis to check on his recovery from recent medical treatment and to discuss the ongoing progress of the Vietnam settlement. Nixon highlights the success of his firm negotiation strategy, noting that threatening to halt troop withdrawals and minesweeping operations successfully forced the release of a second group of POWs. The two also reflect on the return of American prisoners, specifically commending the statements made by Captain Jeremiah A. Denton.

John C. StennisVietnam WarPOWsPrisoner releaseForeign policy
AudioNARA Description

On March 5, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and John C. Stennis talked on the telephone from 4:44 pm to 4:46 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 037-059 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 37-59

Date: March 5, 1973
Time: 4:44 pm-4:46 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John C. Stennis.

[See Conversation No. 417-14]

       Stennis’s Health
              -Duration of treatment
              -Rest

       Vietnam Settlement
             -Prisoners of war [POW] release
                     -US strategy
                            -Minesweeping
                            -Troop withdrawals
                            -Statements
                            -Capt. Jeremiah P. Denton
                                    -Letter to President

       Stennis’s support for President
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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?
Senator Stennis, sir.
Hello?
Yes, sir, Mr. President.
Well, you seem to sound better each time I call you.
Well, thank you, sir.
I've turned the corner some more, I think.
Right.
Things are really coming along all right.
Everything is in good shape now.
I mean, it's moving along on schedule.
The process, as you warned me in the beginning, you know, hasn't been briefed how long it might take.
Well, the main thing is that...
all those uh organs are patched up again and then uh then you need a little uh time to rest a bit and then you'll be back on the firing line again well i'm anxious to get back of course of course things are going well with you well we're coming along we're uh everything seems to be going about uh about what we expect we were glad to get the
as that second group of POWs back on schedule.
Yes, sir.
I'm very proud, very proud for you.
We were very tough on them on that.
They'd start to fiddle around and say this publicly, but as you may have noted, we just told them to quit clearing the mines and quit withdrawing, and we sent a private message that we were going to continue until they do it, and they came through in 24 hours.
That's what it took.
I knew that was your pattern as soon as you sounded off the first note.
I knew you'd get those, too.
The others, they certainly are great when they come back, aren't they, though?
Oh, yes, yes, Lord.
I read the full statement today.
This young naval pilot, you know, just great, just great.
Get all that compiled and put together in the right way.
Yes.
I received a letter from Captain Denton, who was the first one, you know, on the first flight.
I'll send you a copy of it.
It's really so good.
All right.
So good.
I mean, he just— I'd appreciate it.
He sums up everything.
Well, I'll be making myself felt a little on the hill even before I get back out there.
Good.
I'll be—I know where you stand.
Right.
I will.
Where you need help.
We'll call on you when you're through.
Thank you.
Thank you for your call.
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