← 468-002468-004 →

Conversation 468-003

TapeTape 468StartTuesday, March 16, 1971 at 8:57 AMEndTuesday, March 16, 1971 at 9:05 AMTape start time00:03:26Tape end time00:07:22ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Moorer, Thomas H. (Adm.)Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Admiral Thomas H. Moorer discussed the status of Operation Lam Son 719, focusing on the tactical challenges posed by poor weather conditions affecting U.S. air support for the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Moorer provided updates on North Vietnamese truck traffic in the mountain passes and characterized the ARVN's morale as strong despite recent enemy activity near Khe Sanh. The President emphasized the strategic importance of monitoring the weather to clear the way for continued airstrikes against enemy supply routes.

Operation Lam Son 719Vietnam WarARVNAir strikesMilitary logisticsKhe Sanh
AudioNARA Description

On March 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:57 am to 9:05 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 468-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 468-3

Date: March 16, 1971
Time: 8:57 am - 9:05 am
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer

     Laos operation (Lam Son)
          -Military situation
                -Air strikes
                      -Effect of weather
                -Army of the Republic of Vietnam [ARVN]
                      -Duration of operation
                -Airplanes

                -Morale
                -Passes
                     -Truck traffic
                -ARVN morale
                -Other military developments
                     -Khe Sanh attack
                -Passes
                     -Weather
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

There's still no opening in the weather in the north so that we can hit those trees and pass the check.
I stole a lot of those.
Pretty well.
But at least the plant's still coming off where they installed the intermediate stove.
It's up to hanging in there for three or four weeks now.
We've got a new tank that goes to the aircraft.
It's on our aircraft planes.
About a half, seven minutes.
I'll back up when these people listen to me.
You're good?
a lot of other stuff in those passes, right?
Because they had such a... Well, I know of many people talking about the fact that the truck traffic is heavy.
Of course, they've got to get to where they're at.
The question is how heavy it is down below.
Yeah.
The...
The morale of the Vietnamese is very good.
The case on attack, and it was built up, but apparently it was not serious in terms of damage.
Sure.
Yeah.
All right.
Yeah, that's right.
Well, keep your eye on those passes.
Every day I try to get her to record that weather a little bit.
Once you've got these, it takes you two days to have the weather clear before you start it.
← 468-002468-004 →