President Nixon and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird coordinated their public response to a New York Times report falsely claiming that U.S. bombing in Vietnam had been reduced for diplomatic purposes. Nixon directed Laird to aggressively deny these reports to maintain strategic ambiguity, stressing the importance of this stance for ongoing diplomatic efforts. Laird confirmed that he had already refuted the story during recent testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee and had prepared a media clip to ensure the denial reached a wider audience.
On April 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Melvin R. Laird talked on the telephone from 9:55 am to 9:56 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-017 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 23-17 Date: April 18, 1972 Time: 9:55 am - 9:56 am Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Melvin R. Laird. [See also Conversation No. 711-3D] Vietnam -Laird's testimony -News story in New York Times -Bombing cutbacks -Laird's response -Diplomacy -Senate Armed Services Committee -Statement
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.