Easy NixonAbout

Conversation: 709-019

Prev:  709-018 Next: 709-020

Start Date: 17-Apr-1972 12:15 PM

End Date: 17-Apr-1972 12:28 PM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Kissinger, Henry A.

Recording Device: Oval Office

Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 03:37:34

Full Tape Conversation End Time: 03:50:56

709a.mp3

709b.mp3

NARA Description:

On April 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:15 pm to 12:28 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 709-019 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 709-19

Date: April 17, 1972
Time: 12:15 pm - 12:28 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Vietnam
          Kissinger's conversation with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
          -William P. Rogers's testimony
                -Praise from Kissinger
          -Kissinger's conversation with Dobrynin
                -Purpose
                -Interim compromise
                      -Difficulties
                            -Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr’s report
                                  -Demilitarized zone [DMZ]
                            -North Vietnamese capabilities
                      -US response
          -Negotiations
                -US bombing
                      -Soviets
                            -Pressure
                                  -Dobrynin
                -Blockade
                      -Implementation
                            -Immediacy
                                  -Upcoming elections
                -Interim agreement
                      -Rejection
                            -Consequences
                                  -Possible Soviet actions
                      -Advantages according to Kissinger
                            -Soviet Summit
                                  -People’s Republic of China [PRC] summit
                                       -Possible Middle East settlement
                      -Problem
                            -1972 election
                                  -Continuation of war
                      -Possible outcome
                                    42

                NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                           Tape Subject Log
                             (rev. 10/06)
                                                         Conv. No. 709-19 (cont.)


                 -Haig’s report
                 -Cessation of offensive
                 -Prevention of future offensive
                       -Timing
                             -Assurance by the Soviets
-North Vietnamese offensive
     -Possible actions by Hanoi
     -US response
           -Timing
                 -Prisoners of war [POWs]
     -Failure
           -Concern from Kissinger
     -Blockade
           -Impact
                 -Compared to 1969
           -Weaknesses
                 -Circumvention
     -Interim Solution
           -POWs
-Haig report
     -Military Region One
     -South Vietnamese performance
           -Increase in South Vietnamese strength
     -US bombing
           -Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
           -Carriers
                 -Bombing support
           -North Vietnam
           -Number of sorties
                 -South Vietnam
                       -increase
           -I Corps
                 -North Vietnamese weakness
                 -B-52s
-Ground action
     -South Vietnamese strength
           -Improved situation
                 -Compared with Laos operation
                 -Retreats
                 -Provincial capitals
                 -Demoralization of North Vietnam
                                              43

                              NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                       Tape Subject Log
                                         (rev. 10/06)
                                                                   Conv. No. 709-19 (cont.)


           -US strategy
                -Military action
                      -Toughness from the President
                -Peace offers
                      -Soviet Summit
                           -Preservation of US integrity
           -Blockade
                -Implementation
                      -Timing
                -Threat
           -Soviet Summit
                -Meeting with Polish Ambassador [Witold Trampczynski]
                -Cancellation
                      -Chances
                -Symbolism
                      -Kissinger's Moscow meeting
                           -Press reports

Kissinger left at 12:28 pm.