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Conversation: 719-002

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Start Date: 4-May-1972 8:45 AM

End Date: 4-May-1972 8:57 AM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Haig, Alexander M., Jr.

Recording Device: Oval Office

Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:04:01

Full Tape Conversation End Time: 00:17:09

719a.mp3

719b.mp3

NARA Description:

On May 4, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:45 am to 8:57 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 719-002 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 719-2

Date: May 4, 1972
Time: 8:45 am - 8:57 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Greetings

     Vietnam
          -Morning report
              -North Vietnam offensive
                    -Maj. Gen. Ngo Quang Truong
                          -IV corps
                          -Shakeup of command
                    -News reports
                          -United Press International [UPI] reporter
                                -Sydney Schanberg
                    -Air strikes
                          -Effectiveness
                                -Damage assessment
                                     -Duong Hoi
                                     -Quang Tri
                                     -Details
                    -Merger of divisions
                    -Losses
                    -Hue area
                        2

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

               Tape Subject Log
                 (rev. Jan-02)
                                                Conv. No. 719-2 (cont.)

      -South Vietnam perimeter
      -Consolidation of forces
            -Effects
            -Cavalry squadron
            -South Vietnam marines
            -Mobile reserve
                  -2nd Army of the Republic of Vietnam [ARVN] division
            -Airborne division
-ARVN counterattack
      -A South Vietnamese general
            -Brigade in Kontum
                  -Problems
                  -B-52 strikes
-III corps
      -ARVN movements
            -An loc
      -Fighting
            -Phouc Long (sp?)
      -US retaliation
      -Air strikes
            -North Vietnam losses
-Naval gunfire
      -Effectiveness
-Air operations
      -Damage in North Vietnam
      -Reports on air action
-A news report
      -Public information officer [PIO] problems
      -Source
      -Anti-Americanism in South Vietnam
      -Washington Star
            -Article
            -UPI
            -[Forename unknown] Ward (?)
-I Corps
      -Military action
      -Hue area
            -Symbolism
                  -Comparison with Verdun, Stalingrad
                  -Importance
                  -Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
                  -Haig's conversation with Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
                                              3

                        NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                       (rev. Jan-02)
                                                                       Conv. No. 719-2 (cont.)

                                        -Compared with Kontum
                                  -Firepower to be used
                      -South Vietnam counteroffensive
                            -Real problems
                      -Hue
                            -Importance
                      -Air strikes
                            -Tactical air [TACAIR]
                                  -Night attacks
                      -PIO problems
                 -Reports
                      -"Hawks"
                            -Henry A. Kissinger
                      -Haig's previous meeting
                            -Samuel L. Devine's group
                            -Edward J. Derwinski
                                  -Haig’s view
                                  -Statements
                                  -Need for support
                                  -Criticism

Haig left at 8:57 am.