President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss the endgame for U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, debating whether to fully withdraw all personnel or maintain a presence of advisors and civilians. Nixon expresses concern over domestic political pressures and the perception of American weakness, framing the conflict's mounting casualties in the context of historical wars. The discussion centers on maintaining resolve against political critics and the potential impact of the ongoing battle at Kontum on U.S. policy decisions.
On April 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 1:10 pm and 1:45 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 333-011 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 333-11
Date: April 26, 1972
Time: Unknown between 1:10 pm and 1:45 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President talked with an unknown person [Henry A. Kissinger?].
Vietnam
-Report
-US military involvement
-Termination
-Civilians
-Advisors
-Briefing
-Troop losses
-Compared to World Wars I and II
-Kontum
-Liberals
-US responseThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.