Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 333-037
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 1972 at 6:36 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President)
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/333-037

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:01] During the past three weeks, you have been reading and hearing about the massive invasion of South Vietnam and the communist forces of North Vietnam.
[0:19] Tonight, I want to give you a first-hand report on the military situation in Vietnam, the decisions I have made with regard to the role of the United States in the conflict, and the efforts we are making to bring peace and negotiate peace.
[0:24] Let me begin by briefly reviewing what the situation was when I took office, what we have done since then to end American involvement in the war and to bring
[0:29] The long-circuited people of Southeast Asia.
[0:39] On January 20, 1959, the American troops here in Vietnam was 549,000.
[0:42] Our casualties were running as high as 300 a week.
[0:44] 30,000 North Americans were being drafted every month.
[0:45] Today, 39 months late.
[0:46] Through our program of Vietnamization, helping the South Vietnamese develop a capability to defend themselves, the number of Americans in Vietnam by Monday, May 1st, will have been reduced to 69,000.
[1:05] Our casualties even during the present O-Long enemy offensive have been reduced by 95%.
[1:07] Grab calls now every year have been 5,000 minimum, and we expect to bring them to zero every year.
[1:13] As I reported in my television address to the nation on January 25th, we have honored the most generous peace terms in both public and private negotiating sessions.
[1:26] Our most recent proposal provided for an immediate cease-fire, the exchange of all prisoners of war, the withdrawal of all of our forces.