Conversation 375-003

TapeTape 375StartThursday, October 26, 1972 at 9:57 AMEndThursday, October 26, 1972 at 10:01 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger strategized on how to undermine Democratic challenger George McGovern regarding the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations. Nixon instructed Kissinger to publicly emphasize that McGovern’s alternative peace terms would jeopardize the progress already achieved, particularly concerning the status of prisoners of war and the situation in Cambodia and Laos. The goal was to frame the administration’s existing diplomatic efforts as the most viable path toward a stable agreement.

Vietnam WarHenry KissingerGeorge McGovernPeace negotiationsPOWs1972 election

Audio

NARA Description

On October 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 9:57 am and 10:01 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 375-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 375-3

Date: October 26, 1972
Time: Unknown between 9:57 am and 10:01 am

                                        (rev. Oct-06)

Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

        Vietnam peace settlement
            -Political candidates
            -Offer of terms
                -Possible effects on negotiations
                -George S. McGovern
                      -Prisoners of war [POWs]
                      -Cambodia
                      -Laos
                -The President’s instructions
                      -Kissinger’s forthcoming statements

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

One other point that I think is very important that we can make is that political candidates who offer terms that are more favorable than what we have already negotiated can only jeopardize

uh, hopes for success in the agreement.

See, the reason I say that is that on, on POWs, he doesn't operate on Cambodia, on Laos, etc.

But I think it's very important to get across the fact that we continue to operate in terms, in discussion in terms of, uh, uh, less they hold down the deprivation.

Can you make that point?

Okay, so...

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