Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 206-008
Date: Sunday, August 20, 1972 at 11:25 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
Recording device: Camp David Hard Wire
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/206-008

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:18] I've been through.
[0:20] Look at that.
[0:22] I don't know.
[0:22] I know what I used to do.
[0:24] First of all, I think it's outstanding.
[0:35] It makes my general comment.
[0:36] I don't know what it is.
[0:37] But anyway.
[0:37] Do I have you on the draft yet?
[0:39] Because I've now locked it up.
[0:41] What do you have there?
[0:42] You know I have it.
[0:48] I am traveling.
[0:58] Yeah.
[0:58] All right.
[0:59] Good.
[1:01] Let's go.
[1:02] On the first day, I leave time with you.
[1:09] Oh, yeah.
[1:09] Oh, that's, no, I can, yeah, you can leave yours, but other than that, you can just let me know if I'd like to be a little bit.
[1:15] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[1:16] I want to give you a deal.
[1:17] Sure.
[1:17] On the first page, I would recommend, where you say there are differences on some issues, that then you shift the next two sentences in order.
[1:26] But they were united in their total opposition to isolation for America, and then say they were united in their conviction should have defense second to none.
[1:34] Right.
[1:34] Because then it tracks better.
[1:37] It's true.
[1:41] I get it.
[1:42] Also, isolation is the general defense.
[1:43] Exactly.
[1:46] Same comment on the second page, Mr. President.
[1:49] You said we've ended America's ground combat drill.
[1:52] Then I would say it either way.
[1:54] No draftees have been sent to Vietnam.
[1:58] And then saying we have reduced the number of being drafted from 20,000 months to 5,000 months, whatever that is.
[2:08] But I would put the no draftees first.
[2:18] I think I've got it.
[2:22] We've got to brag about that.
[2:33] On page three, at the end, you say, internationally supervised three elections with participation in 83.
[2:43] Yeah.
[2:43] Elections on the tourist paddock.
[2:45] Oh.
[2:47] By the communists.
[2:56] a supervisory mechanism in which the communists can participate.
[3:09] With participation in the elections and supervision by the communists.
[3:13] With participation.
[3:13] That would be a message.
[3:22] Yes.
[3:22] And their supervision.
[3:22] And their supervision.
[3:23] Yes.
[3:23] In the elections.
[3:23] Participation in the elections.
[3:24] And in their supervision.
[3:24] I would strike the next sentence
[3:27] I think probably you don't want to add.
[3:57] I agree.
[3:59] It's not essential.
[4:03] On page four, the only thing I have in the second paragraph, where you say, I was not in office when American men were sent.
[4:11] I should bring them all home.
[4:13] This gives the impression that we still have a hell of a lot to do.
[4:15] I would say, I should overthrow our allies and blame the catastrophe on our opponents.
[4:21] That's really the argument.
[4:25] But an American man...
[4:28] No, no, no, I can't do that.
[4:34] I don't mind when you say when American men were sent to Vietnam.
[4:40] I should what?
[4:41] Overthrow an ally and flag the catastrophe on our opponent.
[4:49] I should destroy our allies.
[4:52] No, no, I should turn the third country over to the communists.
[4:57] I should turn South Vietnam...
[4:58] Both of them are communists in South Vietnam.
[5:04] No, I should join.
[5:06] I like their term.
[5:08] I should join our enemies in imposing a communist government.
[5:16] No, enemies in imposing a communist government in South Vietnam.
[5:21] That's a communist government thing.
[5:25] I see your point.
[5:37] Why don't we say it?
[5:48] I should end the war.
[5:50] Basically, that's what it gets down to.
[5:52] Isn't that it?
[5:54] I should end the war.
[5:55] Bye.
[5:56] Bye.
[5:56] Good.
[5:57] End the war.
[5:58] Bye.
[5:59] And then I'll say, Johnny, end the war bye.
[6:09] to blame the whole thing on our part.
[6:14] So I just don't mind.
[6:15] Strike.
[6:15] And then what do you want to strike?
[6:18] Which might lead to other problems.
[6:21] Just the last three words.
[6:22] I agree.
[6:22] I'd strike the word international.
[6:23] I'd just say in danger areas.
[6:24] Good.
[6:26] Is there any way you can strengthen that?
[6:28] I'm all for it.
[6:29] I want to get a message home to Detroit.
[6:30] But I think they all know.
[6:31] Mr. President, they are working for you.
[6:36] You don't need much of a message.
[6:38] All right.
[6:39] I would add one sentence after that.
[6:44] I'd say, our allies in Europe and Asia must know that America continues its bipartisan tradition to stand by its friends and never to desist them.
[6:55] You've got that in your draft?
[6:58] Yeah.
[6:59] Written out?
[6:59] Yeah.
[6:59] All right.
[6:59] Fine.
[6:59] So it isn't all Israel.
[7:01] Yeah.
[7:01] All right.
[7:03] Our allies in Europe and Asia must know that
[7:06] My life in Europe and Asia must know that America continues its bipartisan tradition to stand by its friends and never to desert them.
[7:17] Because that is another thing.
[7:22] I like the Amnesty stuff.
[7:25] It has to be said.
[7:27] Well, I believe that's the point.
[7:29] It needs to be said.
[7:30] Let the deserters say the powers they deserve.
[7:32] Let those who serve America receive the honor they deserve.
[7:35] They earn.
[7:36] Because then, page six, I would, in that second paragraph, I wouldn't say it's understandable that Vietnam died.
[7:50] The way I said it, it is understandable that Vietnam was a major concern in the fields of foreign policy.
[7:56] Or has been.
[7:57] Or has been.
[7:58] Has been a major concern.
[7:59] And I added another little sticker there, saying especially because we had over half a million people, of our men there.
[8:06] has been a, uh, has been a major concern.
[8:16] Particularly, particularly at the time that we had over half a million people in our catchers for 300 a week.
[8:31] We're running as high as 300 a week, particularly at the time.
[8:33] I see you're fighting
[8:36] Is that all right with you?
[8:38] Yeah.
[8:42] But then I say, I wouldn't say this to the great credit of the administration, I would say, but this administration has not allowed the Vietnam War to paralyze our capacity, I would say, to initiate major new policies, to construct a land... Why don't we say that we have not allowed, but we have not allowed this administration, but we have not allowed...
[9:01] I don't just strike all of that, but it is to the great credit that we have not allowed the Vietnam War
[9:07] Analyze our capacity to initiate major, I would not just put in new, major new policies.
[9:13] Major.
[9:15] Major or... Major.
[9:24] It's more than major, let's get a stronger word.
[9:25] Historic.
[9:25] Dramatic.
[9:27] No, dramatic.
[9:29] Say historic, Mr. President.
[9:31] Historic new policies.
[9:36] To construct a...
[9:37] that they can trust these policies.