Conversation 023-129

TapeTape 23StartTuesday, May 2, 1972 at 9:35 PMEndTuesday, May 2, 1972 at 9:40 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the tactical status of the ongoing North Vietnamese offensive and the resulting strategic necessity of authorizing air strikes. They deliberate on the timing of potential bombing campaigns, ultimately deciding against immediate action for the upcoming weekend. The conversation confirms that the administration maintains responsibility for these critical military decisions, notwithstanding ongoing negotiations involving Leonid Brezhnev.

Vietnam WarAir strikesMilitary strategyNorth Vietnamese offensiveHenry KissingerLeonid Brezhnev

Audio

NARA Description

On May 2, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 9:35 pm to 9:40 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-129 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 23-129

Date: May 2, 1972
Time: 9:35-9:40 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Kissinger's location
          -Conversation with Thomas H. Moorer

     Vietnam
          -Negotiations
               -The President's position
          -Bombing
               -The President's decision
                     -Harry S. Dent

*****************************************************************

[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 03/22/2019.]
[Unintelligible]
[023-129-w001]
[Duration: 59s]

     [Tape malfunction]

       Vietnam
             -Negotiations
                    -Leonid I Brezhnev

*****************************************************************

     Vietnam
          -North Vietnamese offensive
               -The President's options
                     -Bombings
                          -Timing
                     -Creighton W. Abrams
                     -Moorer
               -Possible consequences

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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?

Did you get home yet?

Oh, yeah.

I had to get along right with him.

Yeah, I don't want to get off the hook yet.

they won't execute it they won't do anything right i was uh i had an interesting connection

So, we should see.

Anyway, we're right.

I'm confident that they're going to have the last word.

Okay.

So we don't have to make the decision?

No, we don't have to make the decision.

We have to make the decision.

I mean, we have to make the decision about bombing.

We're not going to bomb this weekend.

Under the circumstances on that, under the circumstances, the way...

David was pleading for the use of his assets.

I'd be glad to take the property.

Believe me.

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