Conversation: 451-023
Prev: 451-022 Next: 451-024Start Date: 18-Feb-1971 6:16 PM
End Date: 18-Feb-1971 6:37 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.;Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 04:36:26
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 04:57:13
NARA Description:
On February 18, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 6:16 pm to 6:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 451-023 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 451-23
Date: February 18, 1971
Time: 6:16 pm - 6:37 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Henry A. Kissinger
Vietnam
-Military developments
-Troop deployment
-Tactical situation
-Melvin R. Laird
-President’s view of war
-Presidential election
-Bombing
-Missions
28
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
-Khe Sanh
-Laos
-North Vietnamese losses
-South Vietnamese Army
-Effect
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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[National Security]
[Duration: 41s ]
CAMBODIA
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
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-Troops
-Reserves
-General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-Helicopter losses
-Admiral Thomas H. Moorer
-Laos operation
-Communist influence in United States’ government
-John W. Gardner
-Morton H. Halperin
-William A. K. (“Tony”) Lake
-Edmund S. Muskie
-Halperin
-Role on Kissinger’s staff
-Gardner
-Lyndon B. Johnson’s comment
-Kissinger’s forthcoming luncheon with John Dutton
-Gardner
-Effect of liberal positions on the war
-South Vietnamese military activity
-Laos
29
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
-Progress
-Future prospects
******************************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[National Security] Conv. No. 451-23 (cont.)
[Duration: 2m 43s ]
VIETNAM, ITALY
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
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The Vice President
-Possible foreign trip
-President’s view
-Priority
-Laos operation
Vietnam
-Kissinger’s conversation with Joseph C. Kraft
-President compared with Democrats
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-1968 election
-Danger of radicals on policy
-George C. Wallace
-Ronald W. Reagan
Peace prospects
-Kissinger’s suggestions
-Forthcoming meeting with Le Duc Tho
-Withdrawal
-Cease-fire
-Prospects
-Bombing
-General Nguyen Van Thieu agreement
30
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
Kissinger left at 6:37 pm