Conversation 297-034

TapeTape 297StartFriday, November 12, 1971 at 12:59 PMEndFriday, November 12, 1971 at 2:20 PMTape start time01:52:49Tape end time01:54:11ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger strategized on the public messaging surrounding the forthcoming troop withdrawal announcement in Vietnam. They focused on anticipating challenging press inquiries from figures like Ronald Ziegler, specifically concerning the size of a residual force and its connection to the release of prisoners of war. Nixon ultimately decided to maintain ambiguity regarding specific withdrawal numbers to avoid premature commitments during negotiations.

Vietnam WarTroop withdrawalPrisoners of WarForeign policyPress strategyResidual force

Audio

NARA Description

On November 12, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 12:59 pm and 2:20 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 297-034 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 297-34

Date: November 12, 1971
Time: Unknown between 12:59 pm and 2:20 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

       Vietnam
            -The President's forthcoming troop withdrawal announcement
                 -Possible press questions
                       -Ronald L. Ziegler
                       -Residual force
                              -Prisoners of war [POWs]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

My question is that if you reject the new rate of withdrawal, then I'll hop down to rate of withdrawal.

But anyway, by the end of June, approximately 40,000 will be in jail, is that predicted for the new plan?

And if so, will it stay only for all Americans or prisoners of war?

Or will it stay beyond that time?

How do you want that to happen?

If that comes up, I think he's somebody who's going to ask that.

I'll say that.

I don't know.

I'm not giving anybody.

They're going to give a decision.

That's my point.

They're going to say, when there is a residual force, suppose they say there's 100,000 residuals.

They're going to say, you can get the prisoners back.

And is that in condition for getting a residual force out?

That's the question that we're going to ask.

Don't worry about the number.

I'm not going to give you the number at all.

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