Conversation: 810-002
Prev:  810-001 Next: 810-003Start Date: 31-Oct-1972 11:10 AM
End Date: 31-Oct-1972 11:36 AM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Rockefeller, Nelson A.; White House photographer; Recording Device: Oval Office
NARA Description:
On October 31, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, Nelson A. Rockefeller, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:10 am to 11:36 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 810-002 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 810-2 Date: October 31, 1972 Time: 11:10 am - 11:36 am Location: Oval Office The President met with Nelson A. Rockefeller and Henry A. Kissinger; the White House photographer and members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting. Greetings Rockefeller’s forthcoming National Press Club speech -Cuts in text -Vietnam Vietnam negotiations -History of US peace agreement -1968 bombing halt -Possible agreement -Deadline -Message from Hanoi -North Vietnamese position -View of US negotiating tactics -Deadlines -The President's previous message to Hanoi -Possible publication of negotiation record -Demand for settlement -North Vietnamese leaks of terms -Phom Van Dong’s interview in Newsweek -Attempted modification of settlement terms 3 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Nov-03) -Coalition government -Orders to North Vietnamese cadres -Ignore cease-fire to seize territory -North Vietnamese interpretation administrative structure -North Vietnamese troop withdrawal -No reinforcement provision -Message from Hanoi -Kissinger’s view -1972 election -Factors conducive to settlement -Bombing -Possible publication of negotiation record -Possible backgrounder by Kissinger -Timin -The President’s speech [“Look to the Future”] November 2, 1972 -Rockefeller’s forthcoming National Press Club speech -Use of information regarding orders to Vietcong [VC] -The President’s view -Differences between negotiating parties -Peace -1968 agreement -Phom Van Dong’s interview in Newsweek -Attempted modification of settlement terms -Rockefeller’s forthcoming National Press Club speech -The President’s view -[Arnold] Eric Sevareid -Analysis -Timing of possible settlement -1972 election -US position -North Vietnamese strategy -Quality of agreement -North Vietnamese strategy -Concessions -Nguyen Van Thieu -1972 election -Military Situation -Cadres -Bombing -B-52s -19th parallel 4 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Nov-03) -Previous US internal restriction -20th parallel -19th parallel -Supply dumps -Rockefeller’s forthcoming National Press Club speech -Possible press questions -Kissinger’s “Peace is at hand” remark -Progress of negotiations -Rockefeller’s view -Administration press strategy -Possible publication of negotiating record -Breakdown of talks -Blame on North Vietnamese -Nature of agreement -North Vietnamese position -Kissinger’s forthcoming backgrounder -Timing -Rockefeller’s view -Kissinger’s view -Information from Hanoi -US press reaction -Possible clarification of points -North Vietnamese troop withdrawal -North Vietnamese seizure of territory -Pham Van Dong’s interview -Coalition Government -Rockefeller’s view -The President compared to Winston S. Churchill -Rockefeller’s forthcoming National Press Club speech -John N. Mitchell’s request of Rockefeller -Thieu -Kissinger’s previous meeting with Thieu -Necessity of US consultation with Thieu -North Vietnamese pressure for settlement -Possible publication of negotiation record -Rockefeller’s dinner with Abraham M. Rosenthal -Foreign Affairs Editor of New York Times, [James Greenfield] -New York Times -Greenfield’s view of Kissinger’s press briefing -Editorial -Consistency of the Administration’s negotiating position 5 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Nov-03) -Far left -Attitude toward Thieu -Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. -US position -Press statements -Conciliation -Status of negotiations -Kissinger’s forthcoming meeting with Jay Lovestone -George Meany -George S. McGovern stance -Signing of agreement -Abrogation of agreement -Arms to South Vietnam -Aid to South Vietnam -Effects on talks ***************************************************************** BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2 [Personal returnable] [Duration: 1m 50s ] END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2 ***************************************************************** Support for the President -New York Times -Catholic community -Jewish community -Catholic community -Vietnam War -Francis Cardinal Spellman -The President’s previous trip to Vietnam as Vice President Vietnam negotiations 6 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. Nov-03) -Administration’s desire for peace -North Vietnamese demand for settlement -Need for clarification of settlement terms -Kissinger possible backgrounder -Paris Situation -Timing -Issues -Propaganda -The President’s defense of national interests -Nature of agreement -South Vietnam The President’s schedule -Possible post-election meeting with Rockefeller -Camp David -Lyndon B. Johnson, -Forthcoming signing of 1973 Appropriations Act Rockefeller and Kissinger left at 11:36 am.