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Conversation 318-002

TapeTape 318StartWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 3:23 PMEndWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 3:29 PMTape start time00:01:29Tape end time00:05:03ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the positive public and political reception to the President’s January 25 Vietnam speech, specifically noting the effectiveness of their late-night preparation sessions. Nixon directs Kissinger to formalize a Q&A document drafted by William Safire and Patrick Buchanan for distribution to the Cabinet and Congressional leaders to clarify administration policy. Additionally, the two analyze North Vietnamese intentions regarding POWs, with both men concluding that Hanoi is unlikely to offer a prisoner release in exchange for a U.S. troop withdrawal.

Vietnam WarPrisoners of WarPublic RelationsPublic DiplomacyForeign PolicyHenry Kissinger
AudioNARA Description

On January 26, 1972, 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 3:23 pm and 3:29 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 318-002 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 318-2

Date: January 26, 1972
Time: Unknown between 3:23 pm and 3:29 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Kissinger's briefing
          -Kissinger's schedule
                -The President's previous call
                       -The President's conversation with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
          -Question and answer [Q&A] format
                -William L. Safire and Patrick J. Buchanan
                -Distribution
                       -Cabinet, Congressional leaders

     Kissinger's schedule
          -Forthcoming National Press Club dinner speech
          -The President's Vietnam speech, January 25, 1972
                -Reaction
                      -Calls
                      -Unknown newsman
                      -Unknown restaurant

     The President's Vietnam speech
          -The President's and Kissinger's preparation
               -Safire
               -State of the Union address
          -Reaction

     Vietnam
          -Prisoners of war [POW] release in exchange for US troop pullout
                -Possible North Vietnamese intention
                     -Psychological motivation
                -Cease-fire

     Kissinger's schedule
          -Speech
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.

I know you're going out, and I just want to say briefly that I had a very good idea, and I called your wife, and she told me about your briefings.
It seemed to me that you answered every question, and so rather than just sending in a dog to people, I'd like to have you or Sapphire O take it.
You or Sapphire O take it.
and put it into any form or, you know, second-to-second form, you know, answering all the questions and send it around to the cabinet, to the leaders, to, see what I mean?
So that we say, in other words, what about this, this, and not the other?
What about this?
It answers it.
See what I mean?
So I've ordered it done.
I just want to make sure you know what I mean.
Okay?
Fine, fine.
How's everything going on your team?
Getting ready for tonight?
Well, it's not over yet.
You're not dead.
You're not dead.
Not a good one, Ted, yeah.
You been getting any calls or anything?
Really?
Good news, man.
Uh-huh.
Yeah, right.
At the restaurant, but people must be there, too.
At the restaurant, too.
Well, I'll tell you, Henry, I feel it's come out better than we had any reason to hope.
You know, I was, you and I, we were both racing in that long seance at midnight, all these questions.
And there was one other thing that you talked about, where you might...
But haven't you really felt any of the reactions quite outstanding?
I have one final question.
On the question of POWs for pull-offs, you know, come to think about it, I agree with you, they will never offer it.
And because they want to keep the POWs for something more than pull-offs, don't you agree?
They figure they're going to get pulled out anyway.
Query, query.
Just psychologically.
Oh, because the ceasefire is what keeps them.
I agree, I agree, but on the other hand, we'd be prepared in case they do.
But they're not gonna offer it, though.
That's, see, I can't possibly get back to that.
Let's hope and pray they never offer it.
All right.
Okay, fine.
Well, good luck tonight.
Yeah, fine, I'll give you your 30 minutes of holiday.
Okay.
Whoa.
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