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Conversation 024-056

TapeTape 24StartTuesday, May 9, 1972 at 12:27 PMEndTuesday, May 9, 1972 at 12:29 PMTape start time01:13:02Tape end time01:14:09ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the effectiveness of Henry Kissinger’s recent press briefing regarding the administration’s strategy in Vietnam. Ziegler praises Kissinger’s performance as firm and realistic, particularly concerning the Soviet assessment and diplomatic negotiation efforts. The two also touch upon the political reception of the recent blockade policy, specifically noting Senator Frank Church’s surprising support for the administration's stance.

Vietnam WarHenry KissingerPress relationsSoviet UnionFrank ChurchBlockade strategy
AudioNARA Description

On May 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 12:27 pm to 12:29 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-056 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 24-56

Date: May 9, 1972
Time: 12:27 pm - 12:29 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See also Conversation No. 338-27]

     Henry A. Kissinger's briefing
         -Length
         -Statement
         -Length
         -Questions
         -Quality of presentation
               -Ziegler’s view
         -Content
         -Manner
         -Soviet assessment
         -Quality of presentation

     Vietnam
          -Blockade
               -Press play
               -Democrats
                    -Frank F. Church
                           -Statement
                           -The President’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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
There you are.
Hello.
Briefing finished?
Yes, sir.
How long to go?
Oh, about, I think, just close to an hour, but that was not Q&A.
Henry used about...
Nine minutes, 35 minutes.
You start at 11.15.
Oh, yeah.
Or you start at 11.15.
Right, and he talked until just about quarter till, and then he took questions into account.
Oh, then he's just finished then, is he?
Right.
Fine.
How'd he go?
He did a good job.
He outlined the efforts that had been made at the negotiating table.
He was firm, determined, but also quite realistic in terms of the Soviet assessment.
Right.
He did a good job.
He was, you know, passionate and impassioned and made a good presentation.
Good, good, good.
I think things are in good shape, quite frankly.
Press play's been good, straightforward so far.
Well, are Democrats playing their usual part?
Oh, well, sure.
Oh, I see Church gave us, to my great surprise, he's... Well, Church said right that he'd accept it.
He was the other side.
Okay.
Okay, sir.
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