Conversation 023-098

TapeTape 23StartMonday, May 1, 1972 at 7:07 PMEndMonday, May 1, 1972 at 7:08 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone

AI Summary

President Nixon directs Henry Kissinger to adopt a specific strategic posture during ongoing Vietnam negotiations by projecting an image of the President as being unpredictable and beyond control. By conveying a sense of despair regarding his own lack of influence over Nixon's future actions, Kissinger is instructed to pressure the North Vietnamese negotiators into offering substantive concessions. This tactical maneuver aims to leverage the threat of unspecified presidential retaliation to force a breakthrough in the diplomatic deadlock.

Vietnam WarDiplomatic negotiationsForeign policy strategyPsychological warfare

Audio

NARA Description

On May 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 7:07 pm to 7:08 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-098 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 23-98
Date: May 1, 1972
Time: 7:07-7:08 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Vietnam
          -Negotiations

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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 03/22/2019.]
[Unintelligible]
[023-098-w001]
[Duration: 31s]

     Vietnam
          -Negotiations with Vietnam
               -President’s advice to Henry A. Kissinger

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     Vietnam
          -Negotiations with Vietnam
               -The President's position
               -Public support for the President

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah, one final point.

I think you ought to do a little action.

now.

I cannot control it.

And that he has never said, he always understates what he will do.

And he has public support now that's full of

as you give him the impression that he's out of control, and then you sort of despair at it.

Do you see my point?

Absolutely.

Lay it that way.

You're rather despairing, but that's the way it is.

I'm sorry, but that's the way it is.

And unless I come back with something positive, I cannot, frankly, be held accountable for what happened to me.

Put it right that way.

Okay.

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