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Conversation: 158-024

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Start Date: 29-Dec-1972 5:20 PM

End Date: 29-Dec-1972 5:32 PM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Colson, Charles W.

Recording Device: Camp David Study Table

158-024.mp3

NARA Description:

On December 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 5:20 pm to 5:32 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 158-024 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 158-24

Date: December 29, 1972
Time: 5:20 - 5:32 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Charles W. Colson.

[See Conversation No. 237-30]

       Vietnam War
            -US bombing of North Vietnam
                 -Justification
                        -Settlement agreement
                               -Enforceability
                               -US commitments and credibility
                                    -US allies
                        -Negotiations
                               -North Vietnam’s “filibuster”
                                    -North Vietnam’s preparation to fight
                                           -Colson’s conversation with John A. Scali
                                                -Infiltration
                        -Settlement agreement
                               -US credibility
                           -30-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                    Tape Subject Log
                      (rev. May-08)

                                             Conversation No. 158-24 (cont’d)

            -Enforceability
-Pause
       -Press reports
             -People’s Republic of China [PRC]
             -South Vietnam
                    -North Vietnam
-Scali
       -View
             -Compared to Colson’s view
       -Report on public relations
       -Role
             -Media relations
                    -Wires
                          -United Press International [UPI]
                          -Associated Press [AP]
                    -Television [TV]
-The President’s decision
       -Historical perspective
             -Henry A. Kissinger
                    -Previous statements
-Congressional relations
       -Consultations
             -Leaders
                    -William E. Timmons
                    -Senate, House of Representatives
                    -Republicans
       -William B. Saxbe’s statements
             -Senate Armed Services Committee
             -Response
                    -Ohio
                          -Donald E. Lukens
                          -Samuel L. Devine
                          -Lukens
       -Republicans
             -1972 election
                    -The President’s victory
                          -Margin
                                -Ohio
                    -Defeats
                          -31-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                   Tape Subject Log
                     (rev. May-08)

                                          Conversation No. 158-24 (cont’d)

                         -Margaret Chase Smith
                         -J. Caleb Boggs
                         -Jack Miller
                         -Gordon L. Allott
                         -Robert C. (“Bob”) Wilson
                   -House of Representatives
                   -Democrats
                         -George S. McGovern
                   -William A. Rusher
                         -Yale University
                   -1970 campaign
                         -Contributions
                                -Murray M. Chotiner
-Cessation north of 20th Parallel
      -Announcement
            -Effect
                   -Scali’s view
-Liberals’ view
      -Prisoners of War [POWs]
      -Killing of civilians
            -Responsibilty
      -Honor
-Media relations
      -Colson’s view
            -Killing of civilians
                   -North Vietnamese rocket attack on Hue
-Demonstrations
      -McGovern
      -Dean Francis B. Sayre
            -Response
                   -Washington National Cathedral
                         -Signs
                   -“Tell it to Hanoi”
                   -Tone
                   -Blind Vietnam veteran
                                                -32-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       Tape Subject Log
                                         (rev. May-08)