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Conversation 251-046

TapeTape 251StartThursday, April 29, 1971 at 7:27 PMEndThursday, April 29, 1971 at 7:30 PMTape start time03:08:12Tape end time03:10:50ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the strategic challenges posed by the impending prisoner of war (POW) negotiations and the potential for a public relations crisis. They analyze intelligence suggesting that outside actors are coordinating with the North Vietnamese, which threatens to undermine the administration’s existing proposal. Nixon expresses concern over the timing of their offer and concludes that they must maintain discipline while preparing for the possibility that the current diplomatic approach will be rejected.

POW/MIAVietnam WarDiplomacyPrisoner of War negotiationsForeign policy strategy
AudioNARA Description

On April 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 7:27 pm to 7:30 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 251-046 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 251-46

Date: April 29, 1971
Time: 7:27 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President

[See Conversation No. 42-83]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Yeah.
Yeah, hiya, Raina.
Yeah.
It's a while, thank you.
How's the weather out there?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, she's a great fella.
The main problem we have coming up is the POW problem.
I know he's a communist from Australia.
I know all about him, but my point is that means that they're planning with him, you see, so that we can therefore expect that probably will serve us.
And when that offer surges, that's going to be the hardest one for us to leave them.
You understand?
We may have to go public with it, but that means that the time table for, huh?
You mean our offer of C Spire and DOW?
Yeah.
You're talking, I don't know, what is the time you set for it now?
What time are you offering it?
That may be too late.
It is, but we'll just have to go to something else.
We may be put to the torch on this one.
This is the hardest one.
So the main thing is we've just got to hire people in line if we can until we get a chance at it.
But it's very possible you're not going to get a chance at it.
You just have to go the other roads.
And then that means what we do is just service our own offer and let it go at that.
It just may be we have to go to them and see if we...
You see, he can't get run off.
That's my point.
Okay, thank you.
We'll see.
I hope not.
Thank you.
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