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Conversation 004-096

TapeTape 4StartWednesday, June 9, 1971 at 3:07 PMEndWednesday, June 9, 1971 at 3:09 PMTape start time03:23:46Tape end time03:26:21ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.;  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon, Ronald Ziegler, and H. R. Haldeman discussed how to manage media reporting regarding Vietnam casualty figures after a premature report by Howard K. Smith. Nixon emphasized the importance of formally announcing the figures to highlight that casualties had reached their lowest level since 1965, thereby validating the administration's policy following the Laos incursion. Additionally, Ziegler reported that he had publicly criticized Clark Clifford for making politically motivated, unsubstantiated claims regarding prisoners of war.

Vietnam WarCasualty statisticsPress managementClark CliffordPrisoners of warPublic relations
AudioNARA Description

On June 9, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 3:07 pm to 3:09 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 004-096 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 4-96

Date: June 9, 1971

Time: 3:07 pm - 3:09 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler; H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman can be heard in the
background.

[See Conversation No. 255-38A]
     Howard K. Smith's Vietnam casualty list
          -Questioning of Ziegler
          -Possible leak
          -Number of casualties
          -Release by administration
                -President's conversation with Melvin R. Laird
                -Laos

     Clark M. Clifford
          -Attack by Ziegler
          -Prisoners of war [POWs]
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Hello.
Yes, sir.
Hi, Ron.
I was noting in the news summary that Howard Smith put out a report with regard to the casualties last week, and indicating that the administration was putting them out two days early because they were so low.
Right.
What's the background of that?
Were you asked to confirm it?
No, sir.
I wasn't asked about it at all.
I think probably someone leaked it.
We did not issue it formally.
Well, then it'll still be issued formally, huh?
Yes, sir.
It wasn't carried by the other networks, huh?
No.
I could call Howard and talk to him.
No, no, no.
But the background is we did not release it formally.
Yeah, yeah.
Well,
Don't rub around too much.
He put out 20, didn't he?
19 was his figure.
I believe, as I recall, he referred...
The figure is 19, but the news summary said what?
Under 20.
The news summary said...
It said under 20, right.
Yeah.
But it will be formally announced, the casualty list will be formally announced.
I want it to get a damned adequate ride when it is announced.
It'll be well known.
If it is asked about it, just say it.
I'll just say we'll announce it on Thursday.
Well, we do not have the final figure.
Right.
The final figure is not known until Thursday.
All right, fine.
It'll be put out then.
Okay.
Will you handle it that way?
Yes, sir.
As I've told everybody around, I told Laird and others, I wanted to be sure that this is properly played because it's a very significant number.
Well, it's the lowest since 1965.
Yes, and
and it's the first below 20.
That's the important thing, getting down to the... And bears out the fact that after Laos, they came down, as we said they would, and so forth and so on.
Of course, they've been coming down anyway, but this is a way that dramatizes it far more.
Okay.
Okay, I took Clifford on a little bit today.
Oh, you did, yeah.
In response to the... Yeah.
Some further questions on...
On the POWs, I indicated that those who are making statements without concrete evidence are raising false hopes, and perhaps for domestic political objectives.
Yeah, that's good.
That's what's moving.
Well done.
Okay.
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