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Conversation 023-017

TapeTape 23StartTuesday, April 18, 1972 at 9:55 AMEndTuesday, April 18, 1972 at 9:56 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Laird, Melvin R.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On April 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Melvin R. Laird talked on the telephone from 9:55 am to 9:56 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 23-17

Date: April 18, 1972
Time: 9:55 am - 9:56 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Melvin R. Laird.
[See also Conversation No. 711-3D]

     Vietnam
          -Laird's testimony
                -News story in New York Times
                      -Bombing cutbacks
                      -Laird's response
                            -Diplomacy
                -Senate Armed Services Committee
                      -Statement
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Mr. President, I have Secretary Laird for you.
Yeah.
Right.
Oh, hello.
Mr. President.
Hi, Mel.
I didn't want to bother you before testimony, but there was a story which you will probably be asked about that I just read in the Times this morning out of Saigon to the effect that we were cutting down on the bombing and so forth and waiting for a political reaction.
As we were talking yesterday, I want you to take a line that, you know, knocking that down and saying, look, this is a, we are...
we're going to do what is necessary and so forth.
You know what I mean?
I think the main thing I want you to keep everybody guessing because it's very important in terms of our diplomatic game right now.
Mr. President, I'll hit him very hard.
I've already been before the Senate Armed Services Committee and they made a film clip which will be used very soon in which I said that there was absolutely no truth to the story.
Great.
All right.
All right.
Fine.
All right.
I won't bother you anymore.
Bye.
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