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Conversation 375-019

TapeTape 375StartThursday, October 26, 1972 at 2:50 PMEndThursday, October 26, 1972 at 2:51 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate messaging regarding ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations to ensure public rhetoric emphasizes long-term stability over short-term political gain. Nixon instructs Haig to distance the current administration's goals from the failed 1952 Laos settlement, framing their objective as securing "peace for the next generation." This effort is intended to provide talking points for Henry Kissinger and clarify the administration's stance ahead of the upcoming election.

Vietnam WarPeace negotiationsForeign policy messagingHenry KissingerElections
AudioNARA Description

On October 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:50 pm to 2:51 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 375-019 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 375-19

Date: October 26, 1972
Time: 2:50 pm - 2:51 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 32-57]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
Yeah.
Because Henry's comparing, I don't want to bother him.
But this thought killed him.
A major point that I know has to be covered with this thing about the election and the fact that he didn't cross.
But there you go.
Yeah, that's right, that's what happened.
I would put it, you've got to put it, what words do you want me to say?
Our interest is the right kind of peace and peace that will last.
Not the kind of peace we had after, I mean, we've been around this track in 1952, the settlement on Laos.
Did we make that point?
Yeah, but I mean, let me make the point too.
In Laos, we had a settlement.
And it gave us a, however, it led to just a continued war.
This time a lot of peace that will last.
In other words, yeah, and then you could say that what the president says, our English is not peace for the next election, but peace for the next generation.
So just want to use that phrase.
Okay.
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