Conversation 391-007

TapeTape 391StartWednesday, November 1, 1972 at 2:57 PMEndWednesday, November 1, 1972 at 4:12 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger deliberate on potential diplomatic emissaries to South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, considering figures such as William F. Buckley Jr. The discussion shifts to evaluating the qualifications and suitability of high-level diplomatic appointees, specifically debating the effectiveness of Ambassador Kenneth Rush. The conversation highlights the administration's strategic search for an envoy capable of managing delicate negotiations with the South Vietnamese government.

Vietnam negotiationsNguyen Van ThieuDiplomatic emissariesAmbassadorshipsKenneth RushWilliam F. Buckley Jr.

On November 1, 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 2:57 pm and 4:12 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 391-007 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 391-7

Date: November 1, 1972
Time: Unknown between 2:57 pm and 4:12 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

       Vietnam negotiations
            -Possible emissary to Nguyen Van Thieu
                  -William F. Buckley, Jr.
                        -James L. Buckley
                  -Ambassadorships
                        -Value
                        -[Graham Martin]
                        -[David] Kenneth Rush
                        -Melvin R. Laird
                        -Rush
                              -Background
                              -Toughness

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Well, I just wonder if there's anything to be, if a fellow like Bill Buckley is fucked up by something like this.
Yeah, I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
There is an ambassador on a place in the world.
I don't know.
How about Rush?
No, I don't think.
I don't think Larry can do it.
The trouble is that Rush, Rush is a bomber ambassador in the West.
He's a great professor in the West.
I don't know if I'm going to speak about him in a bit.
He wouldn't be capable of anything.
Well, he is not capable, too.