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Conversation: 726-008

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Start Date: 19-May-1972 12:55 PM

End Date: 19-May-1972 1:04 PM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Porter, William J.Kissinger, Henry A.

Recording Device: Oval Office

Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 02:17:11

Full Tape Conversation End Time: 02:26:25

726a.mp3

726b.mp3

NARA Description:

On May 19, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, William J. Porter, and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:55 pm to 1:04 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 726-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 726-8

Date: May 19, 1972
Time: 12:55 pm - 1:04 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with William J. Porter and Henry A. Kissinger.
                                          40

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                  Tape Subject Log
                                    (rev. Jan-02)



Greetings

Porter's schedule
     -Travel
     -Children

Vietnam
     -Paris talks
     -North Vietnam Strategy
           -Le Duc Tho
                  -Stay in Paris
                  -Stops in Peking and Moscow
     -North Vietnam offensive
           -Losses
           -US and South Vietnam counter action
           -US bombing
           -Limitations
           -People’s Republic of China [PRC] trip
           -Ceasefire
           -South, North
           -Prisoners of war [POWs]
           -Purpose
     -Blockade
           -Harm to North Vietnam
           -President's peace terms
           -State Department response
                  -Foreign service
           -Pentagon response
                  -The President’s view
     -Air strikes
           -Adm. John S. McCain
                  -Talk with Spiro T. Agnew
           -McCain
                  -Restrictions
                        -Ceilings
                  -The President’s trip to the Soviet Union
                  -Talk with Henry A. Kissinger
                  -Future
                  -Orders from President
           -Damages
                  -Aerial photographs
           -PRC border
                                  41

          NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                          Tape Subject Log
                            (rev. Jan-02)                    Conv. No. 726-8 (cont.)

             -Restrictions
                   -Reason
             -Targets in Area
                   -Bridges
                   -Railroad marshalling yards
             -Railroad marshalling yards
                   -Damage
                         -Photographs
             -Restrictions
                   -Response
                         -Basis
      -Effect
             -Railroads
             -Trucks
                   -Limitations
             -Railroads
                   -Pontoon bridges
             -Trucks
                   -Usefulness in moving supplies
-Paris talks
      -Porter's role
-Plenary session
      -Timing
             -Private session
      -President's offers
             -North Vietnam responses
             -North Vietnam counter offers
             -Soviets
      -Possible North Vietnam offer
             -Likelihood
             -Return of POWs for US withdrawal
-North Vietnam offensive
      -Failure
             -Signs
                   -New York Times, Washington Post
             -Army of the Republic of South Vietnam [ARVN]
             -Nguyen Van Thieu's position
             -Commentaries
                   -New York Times
                   -Washington Post
                   -Time
                   -Newsweek
                   -Networks
                                               42

                       NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                        Tape Subject Log
                                          (rev. Jan-02)     Conv. No. 726-8 (cont.)

                             -The President’s view
           -Paris talks
                 -Porter's work
                        -Foreign Service evaluated
                             -Bureaucrats
                             -Soviet Union

Porter and Kissinger left at 1:04 pm.