Conversation 298-039

TapeTape 298StartThursday, November 11, 1971 at 5:50 PMEndThursday, November 11, 1971 at 6:11 PMTape start time03:42:23Tape end time03:44:05ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the upcoming announcement regarding Vietnam troop withdrawal timelines. The conversation centered on weighing various withdrawal options, with Nixon expressing a preference to deliberate further despite internal debate over the proposed durations. Kissinger was tasked with coordinating with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to manage the messaging and internal policy friction surrounding these strategic decisions.

Vietnam WarTroop withdrawalForeign policyWilliam P. RogersPolicy deliberation

Audio

NARA Description

On November 11, 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 5:50 pm and 6:11 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 298-039 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 298-39

Date: November 11, 1971
Time: Unknown between 5:50 pm and 6:11 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     The President's call

     The President's schedule
          -[William P. Rogers]
               -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Vietnam
          -Forthcoming troop withdrawal announcement
               -Rogers's views
               -Kissinger’s forthcoming conversation with Rogers

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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, that's what I want to know.

Sonny G's recent report ended up on mine, but I don't see any reason for me to come in and interview him to debate the damn thing.

That's my point.

I have nothing to debate.

I know what the hell his options are.

And what do you think the pilot, the reaper, wants to call me about to urge me to do something?

I know he's against it.

Present to God that thing he presented himself when I talked with him in Hague.

All right, he's gone down in four months.

I've got the four months.

I've got the six months.

I've got the two months, and I'm thinking about it.

That's all I need.

But I'm going to debate it a little bit.

Okay?

Fine.

I've got all the arguments.

Is there anybody else you want to put in?

It's against the six months.

No, I'm sort of thinking about the six months.

That's out of your control.

Okay?

Fine.

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