← 036-052036-054 →

Conversation 036-053

TapeTape 36StartMonday, January 22, 1973 at 6:19 PMEndMonday, January 22, 1973 at 6:22 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the implications of Lyndon B. Johnson’s death on the timing of the impending Vietnam settlement announcement. Nixon expresses concerns about announcing the agreement during a national mourning period and suggests that Henry Kissinger could utilize the news of Johnson’s passing as a strategic delay to accommodate South Vietnamese concerns. Furthermore, Nixon decides against delivering the announcement from the Capitol, opting instead for a more somber address from the White House, and instructs Haig to coordinate the speech draft with Raymond Price.

Lyndon B. JohnsonVietnam Peace AgreementAlexander HaigDiplomatic strategyNational mourningWhite House communications
AudioNARA Description

On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 6:19 pm to 6:22 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-053 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 36-53
                                             -36-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Jul-08)

                                                              Conversation No. 36-53 (cont’d)

Date: January 22, 1973
Time: 6:19 pm - 6:22 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See also Conversation No. 400-14E]

       Lyndon B. Johnson’s death

       Vietnam settlement announcement
            -Timing
            -Raymond K. Price, Jr.
            -National Security Council [NSC] draft
            -Haig’s forthcoming meeting with Price

       Johnson’s death
            -The President’s call to Claudia A. (“Lady Bird”) Johnson

       Vietnam settlement
            -Henry A. Kissinger
            -Timing of announcement
                  -South Vietnam
                  -The President’s view
                  -Possible delay
                         -Johnson’s death
            -Location of announcement
                  -Capitol
                  -White House
            -Haig’s schedule
                  -Price
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.

General Haig on the line?
Yeah.
Yes, sir.
Johnson died.
Now, the point, I have two points.
One, I wondered what your situation was tonight.
I'm available, sir.
Ray Price now has, we've taken the NSC draft and he's put it into understanding, translated it into English.
Yes, sir.
So, at least, you know, our kind of English.
And I was wondering if it's around 8 o'clock.
you could come over and meet with Ray, and I'll be back over here then.
I've got to go over to the house now and make a call or two to Ms. Johnson.
The news of his being dead is not out yet because she wants to put it out, see?
I see.
A few minutes ago.
Right.
The second point is that we wanted...
if Henry wanted a delicate, I mean, a skill, if he really, if you really think he ought to have our standpoint and the South Vietnamese standpoint the extra day, he could easily tell the North Vietnamese, you know, that, you know what I mean?
Right, exactly.
You see my point?
Yes, yes.
So, but he's got to use his judgment on this.
The point is to announce this
to make the announcement whenever it's in the best interest of all concerned.
That's right.
If slipping it a day will help with the South Vietnamese, we have a perfect excuse with the North on it, see?
That's right.
I do not want to make the announcement the day right after Johnson died, you know what I mean, while we're in mourning.
How does that sound to you?
That sounds fine, and then Henry can make a decision based on that.
He can make the decision, understand.
I'm ready to go tomorrow night at 10 o'clock.
Right.
Incidentally, we were considering the possibility because many here strongly wanted me to go down and do it at the Congress, you know, stick it to those people.
But I was leaning slightly against it anyway.
But this, of course, besides that, I can't go to the Congress and have them cheering.
Absolutely.
So I think it's better to be done in the office anyway.
How do you feel?
I feel the same way, sir.
I think a simple matter of fact and let it seep in.
Okay, then Ray will be available at 8 o'clock.
Does that give you time to get dinner and everything?
Yes, sir.
← 036-052036-054 →