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Conversation 157-042

TapeTape 157StartSaturday, December 9, 1972 at 7:46 PMEndSaturday, December 9, 1972 at 7:48 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kennedy, Richard T. (Col.)Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon and Colonel Richard T. Kennedy discuss a communication strategy regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon approves a message for Henry Kissinger that commends his recent negotiating performance while emphasizing the critical importance of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) issue. The two also coordinate the arrival of Alexander Haig, scheduling a follow-up meeting at Camp David to discuss developments with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin.

Vietnam WarHenry KissingerAlexander HaigDemilitarized ZonePeace negotiationsAnatoliy Dobrynin
AudioNARA Description

On December 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Col. Richard T. Kennedy talked on the telephone at Camp David from 7:46 pm to 7:48 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 157-042 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 157-42

Date: December 9, 1972
Time: 7:46 pm - 7:48 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Col. Richard T. Kennedy.

[See Conversation No. 235-23]

       Vietnam negotiations
                               -54-

     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                          (rev. Apr.-08)

                                                Conversation No. 157-42 (cont’d)

-Message to Henry A. Kissinger
     -Kissinger’s message to the President
     -Demilitarized Zone [DMZ] issue
           -Significance to South Vietnam, US
     -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.’s report
     -Kissinger’s performance as negotiator
           -Concessions
-Haig’s schedule
     -Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
           -Kissinger
     -Meeting with the President
           -The President’s schedule
                 -Leak
                 -Dobrynin
-Message to Kissinger
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Mr. President?
Yes.
This is Colonel Kennedy, sir.
Yes.
You called.
You wanted to have a message, sir?
Oh, yes.
I thought, sir, you saw Henry's message.
Yes, I did.
And I thought perhaps you might want to send a brief reply that he'd have in the morning.
Right.
I drafted something.
I can read it.
Fine.
Your report of Saturday's meeting is encouraging.
Nevertheless, I realize how significant the BMZ provision is from both Saigon's point of view and our own.
After hearing Al Haig's report on Sunday, I will give you my further thoughts.
Again, I want to say what a superb job you have done against the toughest odds this past week.
The concessions you have extracted represent a major achievement and testify to your negotiating skill and the firm, relentless approach you have taken in these sessions.
Very good.
All right, sir.
Well, I'll send it off.
Good.
Send that off.
Then after I meet...
When Al gets in late tonight, right?
Well, it'll be about... Our latest estimate is about 4 o'clock, sir, in the morning.
Fine.
Have him go... Well... Where will he go when he gets in?
Oh, he'll go home, of course.
Fine.
He'll go home.
Right.
Then, as Henry noted, he wants to get hold of Dobrynin.
Right.
On this point.
Now, should he...
Should he come here?
Should I meet him there?
What would be the best thing?
Either way, sir, I think whichever suits your convenience and health.
I mentioned that you were up there, and it's no problem at all, whichever you prefer.
Entirely up to you.
I would think that...
Either way, because the fact that he does it, we'll get out in any event.
Right.
We'll tell him when he gets in the morning to have a good sleep.
Yes, sir.
And then come up here about tomorrow, about noon.
All right, sir.
Bye.
Good.
See you in the afternoon.
We'll get our message off, okay?
All right, sir.
Bye.
And I'll send this one off now.
Bye.
Thank you.
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