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Conversation 385-018

TapeTape 385StartMonday, December 11, 1972 at 5:42 PMEndMonday, December 11, 1972 at 7:10 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the stalled Vietnam peace negotiations and the potential for a diplomatic breakdown with North Vietnam. The two reviewed the possibility of taking the stalled talks public, though Nixon expressed skepticism about such an approach. Nixon emphasized the need for a firm military response to North Vietnamese intransigence, suggesting an escalation of the bombing campaign should a negotiated settlement remain out of reach.

Vietnam WarHenry KissingerPeace negotiationsAnatoliy DobryninMilitary strategyBombing campaigns
AudioNARA Description

On December 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:42 pm and 7:10 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 385-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 385-18

Date: December 11, 1972
Time: Unknown between 5:42 pm and 7:10 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

       Vietnam negotiations
             -Henry A. Kissinger
                    -Location
             -Haig’s schedule
                    -Return
             -Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
                    -Breakdown
                            -Publicity option
                                   -Kissinger
                                   -The President’s possible television [TV] statement
             -US bombing of North Vietnam
                    -Duration
             -December 12, 1972 schedule
             -North Vietnam’s position
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hi, Al.
Are you able to get over there yet?
Yep.
Yep.
Right.
Right.
Yeah.
Right.
Yeah.
Well, yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, particularly in view of what he had had the day you returned.
I mean, that was the only thing that concerned me all about your return.
And I wondered why the hell you were coming back
Well, there's no reason to pass this on to the brain, is there?
All right.
All right.
Do you realize, though, Alice, the option as well
Black boy and lady throwing down a briefcase, and now we'll have to go public.
Just so you know, that is not a viable option.
That's all I want you to know.
There is a hell of a viable option, I'm sure.
There's a hell of a lot.
And what we do, I'm willing to do a hell of a lot, but I'm not going to do a lot of things without that help.
That's right.
But then we ought to be prepared during this period to remove half of the dark from the land.
And at this time, not for land, but for the world.
What's your direction on that, Jim?
Go ahead.
I don't think it's that bad.
Alright, I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I'm a little weird.
I love you.
I love you a lot.
I love you.
There's nothing to worry about.
There ain't nothing to worry about.
fire, if they were concerned, they'd back off their recent decisions.
There's no deal we could accept, is that right?
All right.
Thanks very much.
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