Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 316-015
Date: Tuesday, January 25, 1972 at 5:30 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Cox, Tricia Nixon
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/316-015

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[2:37:37] If the enemy's answer to our peaceful plan is to step up, step up their attacks, I shall be my, step up their attacks.
[2:37:40] I shall fully meet my responsibility as commander-in-chief of our armed forces to protect our remaining forces.
[2:37:50] If our peace offer is to step up their military attacks, I shall fully take my responsibility as commander-in-chief of our armed forces to protect our remaining forces.
[2:38:01] We do not prefer this course of action.
[2:38:03] We want to end the war, not only for America, but for all people under the China.
[2:38:08] The plan I have proposed tonight accomplishes that goal.
[2:38:11] Some of our citizens have become impressed with the thinking that whatever our government says must be false and whatever our enemies say must be true.
[2:38:18] The record I reveal tonight reveals the contrary.
[2:38:21] We can now demonstrate publicly what we have long been demonstrated prior.
[2:38:26] And America has taken the initiative, not only to end our participation in the war, but to end the war itself.
[2:38:35] This has been the longest, most difficult war in our history.
[2:38:38] Honest and patriotic Americans have disagreed as to whether we should have become involved at all nine years ago, and there has been disagreement on the content of the war.
[2:38:48] The proposal I have made tonight is one on which we can all agree.
[2:38:52] Let us unite now in our search for peace, a peace that is fair to both sides, a peace that can last.