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Conversation 336-058

TapeTape 336StartMonday, May 8, 1972 at 6:34 PMEndMonday, May 8, 1972 at 7:14 PMTape start time02:56:39Tape end time02:58:39ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to refine the text of Nixon’s televised address announcing the mining of North Vietnamese ports and the naval blockade. The discussion focused on balancing firm rhetoric against the North Vietnamese with specific peace offers, including a proposed cease-fire and the eventual withdrawal of American troops. The primary objective was to frame the escalation as a necessary measure to secure an honorable peace rather than a pursuit of military expansion.

Vietnam WarNaval BlockadeCease-firePresidential AddressForeign Policy
AudioNARA Description

On May 8, 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 6:34 pm and 7:14 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 336-058 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 336-58

Date: May 8, 1972
Time: Unknown between 6:34 and 7:14 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Vietnam
          -President’s speech on the blockade
                -Changes
                     -Peace offers
                     -Cease-fire
                -Troops
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

We do not ask you to sacrifice your president or your life.
Neither should we remain as intransigents, deviled or prostrate, to speak together, not so patiently.
We are on the threshold of a new relationship that can serve not only the interests of our two countries, but the core of the world peace.
We have prepared and continue to build the relationship.
The responsibility is yours, if we fail.
I ask you for the same strong support you've always given your president and your opponents.
It is you, most of all.
We'll be watching.
I know how much you want to get him to school.
I know how much you want to bring him home.
I think you know, all that I've said about this past three years, how much I truly want him to work.
You want peace.
I want peace.
But you also want honor, not defeat.
You want a genuine peace, not a peace that is never yet created.
You want a real peace.
At this moment, we must stand together in purpose to resolve it.
As is so often the past, we Americans did not choose to resort to war.
It is a portion promised by an enemy that has shown utter contempt for every procure we have made for peace.
That is why tonight, I ask for your support in this.
The decision of casualty in one place, not to expand the war, not to escalate it, but to end the war and win the country's peace and life.
With God's help, we do support.
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