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Conversation 024-019

TapeTape 24StartMonday, May 8, 1972 at 9:57 PMEndMonday, May 8, 1972 at 10:00 PMTape start time00:17:40Tape end time00:20:27ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Laird, Melvin R.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On May 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Melvin R. Laird talked on the telephone from 9:57 pm to 10:00 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-019 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 24-19

Date: May 8, 1972
Time: 9:57 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Melvin R. Laird talked with the President.

[See also Conversation No. 336-69C]

     Vietnam
          -Laird
                -Work with congressmen
          -The President's announcement
                -Difficulty
                -Cabinet meeting
          -Blockade
                -William P. Rogers
                -Laird's explanation
                -Michael J. Mansfield
                      -Questions regarding People's Republic of China [PRC]
                -Laird's public stance
                      -The President’s view
                      -Department of Defense intelligence
                -Placement of mines
                      -Message to pilots
                            -John S. McCain
          -Air strikes
                -Thomas H. Moorer
                -Targets
                      -Railroads
                      -Petroleum, oil, and lubricants [POL]
          -The President's announcement
                -Laird’s view
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Secretary Laird calling Mr. President.
Hello.
Mr. President.
Well, I knew why you weren't there.
I knew you were doing more important things, working with the congressmen.
Well, I went with them, and then I came back over here, Mr. President, because I had to get out some messages to them.
Good, good, good.
But I did stay with them until they all left.
I appreciate it very much.
But, gee, you did a fine job tonight, though.
Well, let me say that I know this is a tough one, and, you know, as I told the cabinet, we could call it either way.
But let me tell you that...
The thing here, because one thing about it that, you know, you can scare a few people.
Bill at the Cabinet meeting was saying that, look, fellas, this is not a blockade.
I think you ought to take a little different line.
I'd say we're going to do what is necessary.
You know what I mean?
Yes.
I don't want to indicate what the hell it isn't.
You see what I mean?
I will.
Now, incidentally, on the other hand, Mansfield raises the point about
How near do we get to China?
Now, obviously, we're not going to jeopardize the Chinese relationship,
but we'll simply say that this is not directed against any other country we'll take the necessary precautions but we'll do what's necessary to stop the flow see yes but but i think the more if you could be if i could urge you to be a little more hawkish even than i am i wouldn't say that you're urging the president you know and uh that'll help us a hell of a lot and uh also get all your people over there at defense particularly intelligence people to you know to say well
You see, we may trigger something here.
You never know.
You never know.
You know, they got in there in good shape.
Did they?
They got in and got the mines and every plane.
Was it done?
Great.
All of the planes are back aboard the carrier.
Every one of them, they knocked down a MiG in the process.
Right.
Would you send Mel a well done from me to them, please?
I will.
And say the president asked to send, I don't know who you'd send it to.
Who do you send it to, McCain?
Well, I think probably I'd send it to Admiral Mack.
He's in charge.
Mack.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
We want to get him down there, you know, with the other people.
All right, you send a well done, say, just say, from Secretary Laird to them, just talk to the president on the phone.
He says, well done, keep it up.
Okay?
I will.
The other thing is that I was saying to Moore today, tonight, that I want to be sure you know about it.
I think, Mel, on our airstrikes now, we ought to do, we ought to pick the target and do it.
In addition to the railroads, I think the other thing should be P-O-L, P-O-L, P-O-L. You see what I mean?
Well, we're doing that right now, and that's what I'm going over right now, Mr. President.
Because if you get the P-O-L, they can't run those damn trucks.
Well, we're doing that right now, Mr. President.
Right.
Okay.
Well, thank you a lot.
Well, thank you, Mr. President, and I think you did a fine job.
Well, you did it well.
Stick your old chin out there and give them hell.
I will.
Scare them.
Okay.
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