Conversation: 887-019
Prev:  887-018 Next: 887-020Start Date: 22-Mar-1973 12:53 PM
End Date: 22-Mar-1973 1:12 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); [Unknown person(s)]; Scowcroft, Brent G. (Gen.); Ziegler, Ronald L.; Recording Device: Oval Office
NARA Description:
On March 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, unknown person(s), Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:53 pm and 1:12 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 887-019 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 887-19 Date: March 22, 1973 Time: Unknown between 12:53 pm and 1:12 pm Location: Oval Office The President met with an unknown man. President's meeting with Ronald L. Ziegler Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft -Arrival -Meeting with President -Ziegler The unknown man left and Scowcroft entered at 12:54 pm. Vietnam settlement -Message to Laos -Delivery -Answer -President’s schedule -Delivery -Acapulco, Mexico -Courier plane -Delays -Arrival -Response -Contact with President -Key Biscayne, Florida -Pathet Laos -Laos -US bombing halt -Reconnaissance -Cease-fire agreement Vietnam settlement -Possible air strikes -29- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. July-2010) Conversation No. 887-19 (cont’d) -Airplane losses -Antiaircraft capabilities -Laos -Prisoners of war [POWs] -Risks -Continued bombing of Cambodia -Warning -Future cease-fire violations -Henry A. Kissinger’s view -Airplane losses -Military effectiveness -Value -US determination -POWs -Kissinger’s view -Conjecture -May 8, 1972 decision Ziegler entered at 12:59 pm. -Domestic reaction -Press coverage -North Vietnam’s infiltration -Laos -Ho Chi Minh trail -POWs -New negotiations -North Vietnam’s action -Provocation -Intensity -Ho Chi Minh trail -Supplies -Domestic reaction -Airplane losses -New POWs -Military commission statement -Troop withdrawals -POW list in Laos -Invasion by North Vietnam -Return of POWs -30- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. July-2010) Conversation No. 887-19 (cont’d) POW -Party -Announcement -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon -Helen [last name unknown] Vietnam settlement -POW release -Terms of agreement -Timing -Laos -Kissinger’s press conference -President’s speech -Press coverage -Conditions of troop withdrawal -South Vietnam -State Department -Message Scowcroft left at 1:04 pm. Ziegler's press briefings -Cost of living -Summer youth program -Kenneth R. Cole, Jr.'s program -Calls to mayors -Jacob K. Jacobs -Tone of response -Negativity -Cycles Press relations -News stories -Cost of living reports -L[ouis] Patrick Gray, III issue -Controversy -Food prices -Recent rise -New York Times -31- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. July-2010) Conversation No. 887-19 (cont’d) -Article on White House menu -White House Chef -Henry Haller -Virginia H. Knauer’s show -Demonstrations of concern -Effect of Soviet gymnast and Mrs. Bruce Bedford photograph Ziegler's schedule -Trip to Florida -William P. Rogers -Dinner President's trip to Florida -Ziegler's statement -Purpose of trip -George P. Shultz’s report -Energy policy -Cost of Living Council Vietnam settlement -Possible air strikes -Domestic reaction -“Leveling Hanoi” -Infiltrations -POWs -Press concerns -Legality -Cease-fire agreement violations -POWs -North Vietnamese action Mrs. Nixon -POW dinner -Announcement -Timing -Entertainment -Leslie T. (“Bob”) Hope -National security briefing -Reception for wives -32- NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Tape Subject Log (rev. July-2010) Conversation No. 887-19 (cont’d) -Plans Ziegler left at 1:12 pm.