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Conversation 329-035

TapeTape 329StartSaturday, April 15, 1972 at 11:55 AMEndSaturday, April 15, 1972 at 12:20 PMTape start time03:44:43Tape end time03:47:13ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the military situation in Vietnam and the strategic necessity of upcoming air strikes despite potential opposition from Defense Secretary Melvin Laird and Admiral Thomas Moorer. Nixon expressed resolve to proceed with the strikes, dismissing concerns about field commander reactions and skepticism regarding Laird's intentions. Kissinger agreed to receive a military briefing first to better inform the President's final decision on whether to attend the briefing himself.

Vietnam WarMilitary StrategyAir StrikesMelvin LairdThomas MoorerExecutive Decision Making
AudioNARA Description

On April 15, 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 11:55 am and 12:20 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 329-035 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 329-35

Date: April 15, 1972
Time: Unknown between 11:55 am and 12:20 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Vietnam
          -Kissinger briefing
                -Adm. Thomas H. Moorer and Melvin R. Laird
                      -Gen. Creighton W. Abrams
                      -Cancellation of unknown event
                      -Conversation with the President
          -Briefing on military situation
                -Kissinger's request to attend
          -Moorer
          -Laird
                -Unknown conspiracy
                -Field commanders
          -Air strikes
                -Necessity
                      -Impact on battle
          -Briefing
                -Kissinger's attendance
                -The President's possible attendance

Kissinger left at an unknown time before 12:20 pm.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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'll shake them up a little.
Yes, Mr. President.
Two things.
They insist that they want to go ahead.
They said they've already stood down in the assets.
Who's they?
Who's they?
Slaughter and lay.
And overrule Avery.
Yes.
They want to talk to you if you want to cancel it.
I don't want to cancel it.
But I said you don't want to overrule me for it.
And I just...
I want to have it.
But if I...
I'd like to go over and take a briefing on the military situation.
It will take me ten more minutes, Mr. President, but then I'll know what I'm talking about.
Why is Moore alert?
What do they say about the existing?
What did they say?
What did Laird say?
Laird does.
I thought you thought he was in on the conspiracy.
He probably is, but the orbit plans don't sound.
Laird says any field commander will always scream.
You give him three times as many thanks if you take Jonathan away, he'll still scream.
He says that's a typical beautiful man's reaction.
Oh, you didn't get it?
Oh, yes.
I said we won't do that.
Good.
You get the message?
Oh, yes.
So I'd like, I think you're going to have to go ahead because those tracks would be very... All right.
You and I are aware of it now, and if it loses the battle, the battle may be lost anyway.
I don't think this, these two strikes are not going to lose this battle anyway.
They had a briefing there for me also, and it's bothering me.
I'll be back in 15 minutes if we can hold up.
Want me to hear it?
Let me see what it is, and then I'll bring it in.
Okay.
Okay.
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