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Conversation 022-062

TapeTape 22StartThursday, March 30, 1972 at 8:02 PMEndThursday, March 30, 1972 at 8:07 PMTape start time02:30:41Tape end time02:35:07ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the military response to a recent North Vietnamese attack on a U.S. gunship over Laos. The two evaluated whether to justify a retaliatory strike against enemy surface-to-air missile sites under the doctrine of protective reaction. Nixon directed Kissinger to maintain pressure on Admiral Thomas Moorer to prepare for a potential strike once weather conditions improved and the nature of the North Vietnamese offensive became clearer.

LaosNorth Vietnamese offensiveProtective reactionMilitary strategySurface-to-air missilesThomas H. Moorer
AudioNARA Description

On March 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 8:02 pm to 8:07 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-062 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 22-62

Date: March 30, 1972
Time: 8:02 pm - 8:07 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Laos
            -Washington Star report
                 -Gunship in Laos
                      -Kissinger’s report
                             -Surface-to-Air Missiles [SAMs]
                            -Attack
            -US response
                 -Delay
                 -Possible attack on SAM sites
                 -Previous responses

                       -Air Force planes
                             -Radar
                 -Gunship
                       -Number of crewmen
                 -The President’s view
                      -Protective reaction
                 -Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
                      -Weather
                 -Scope of response
           -North Vietnamese offensive
                 -Kissinger’s view
           -Military
                 -Moorer
                      -Kissinger’s calls to Moorer

     Soviet Union
          -Response
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Hello, Henry.
I was looking at the Star tonight, that report with regard to the gunship in Laos, and what is the situation on that?
Yes.
Yeah.
Right.
Right.
What should our reaction to that be?
for another day to see how this, whether this was a one-time offensive, whether it was such a high point or a real offensive.
Right.
If it is, then we should go after these nanomachines and treat them as ours.
Right.
And take all of them out.
Right.
And, in fact, look for the truth.
We've expected to do it.
Yeah.
Now, what we normally did, and this is what I'm suggesting, is normally when we send out these clusters,
yes but there are there 14 people on those things well yeah of course missing in action but nevertheless I was going to say that we
You really can't let them get away with this, because... Just protective reaction, that's right.
Well, what does Moore say?
The weather's still too bad?
I guess so, huh?
Ah, that's nice.
Well, just so we have a good provocation, I just whack them in there.
You know, if you do it on the basis of protective reaction, there's going to be a hell of a flap.
Right.
Sure, of course, of course, I understand that.
Yes.
And it's now the 1st of April.
Yeah.
No, they're not.
Correct.
Well, be sure you just ride the military hard.
Maura knows.
We're watching it now, doesn't he?
Good.
I see.
Right.
That's right.
They may want to go forward with it.
I understand that.
Okay.
Well, just keep your eye on it, okay?
Bye.
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