Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 336-058
Date: Monday, May 8, 1972 at 6:34 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/336-058

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[2:56:39] We do not ask you to sacrifice your president or your life.
[2:56:41] Neither should we remain as intransigents, deviled or prostrate, to speak together, not so patiently.
[2:56:49] 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.
[2:56:57] We have prepared and continue to build the relationship.
[2:57:01] The responsibility is yours, if we fail.
[2:57:04] I ask you for the same strong support you've always given your president and your opponents.
[2:57:11] It is you, most of all.
[2:57:18] We'll be watching.
[2:57:19] I know how much you want to get him to school.
[2:57:25] I know how much you want to bring him home.
[2:57:27] I think you know, all that I've said about this past three years, how much I truly want him to work.
[2:57:37] You want peace.
[2:57:37] I want peace.
[2:57:39] But you also want honor, not defeat.
[2:57:40] You want a genuine peace, not a peace that is never yet created.
[2:57:44] You want a real peace.
[2:57:45] At this moment, we must stand together in purpose to resolve it.
[2:57:50] As is so often the past, we Americans did not choose to resort to war.
[2:57:53] It is a portion promised by an enemy that has shown utter contempt for every procure we have made for peace.
[2:57:57] That is why tonight, I ask for your support in this.
[2:58:04] 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.
[2:58:11] With God's help, we do support.