Conversation: 468-005
Prev: 468-004 Next: 468-006Start Date: 16-Mar-1971 9:30 AM
End Date: 16-Mar-1971 9:50 AM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.;Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 00:13:36
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 00:33:00
NARA Description:
On March 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:30 am to 9:50 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 468-005 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 468-5
Date: March 16, 1971
Time: 9:30 am - 9:50 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Henry A. Kissinger
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] negotiations
-Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
-A meeting
3
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
-US and Soviet Union proposals
-Kissinger’s view
-Anti-ballistic Missiles [ABM]
-Multiple Independently-Targeted Reentry Vehicles [MIRVs]
-US position
-President’s concerns
-Kissinger’s view
-Soviet Union position Conv. No. 468-3 (cont.)
-Vienna
-ABM
-Offensive weapons
-Future negotiations
-Current situation
-New York Times editorial, March 16, 1971
-Possible letter from the President
-ABM
-New York Times
-US position
-Gerard C. Smith
-Possible instructions
Laotian operation (Lam Son)
-President’s conversation with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer
-Air strikes
-Weather
-News stories
-Firebase Lolo
-Army of the Republic of Vietnam [ARVN] withdrawal
-Military situation
-Moorer
-Television reports
-Press reports
-ARVN
-Tchepone
-Withdrawal
-Military situation
-Cable from General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-Ellsworth F. Bunker
-General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-White House response
-Moorer
4
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
-Ho Chi Minh Trail
-Supplies
-Truck traffic
-Need for information
-Press reports
-A Firebase
-Compared with World War II
-Kissinger’s view Conv. No. 468-5 (cont.)
-A radio report from Saigon
-White House response
-Editorial writers
-Effect
-White House reports
Vietnam
-Negotiations
-President’s opponents
-Kissinger’s view
-Need for White House response
-Paul N. (“Pete”) McCloskey, Jr.
-Liberals
-New York Times editorial
-Saigon and Hanoi
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-Liberals
-Kissinger’s view
SALT negotiations
-The President’s view
-Kissinger’s meeting with a group of businessmen
-Possible summit
-[David] Kenneth Rush
-Dobrynin
-Berlin
-US position
-Willy Brandt
-US position
Vietnam
-Press
-New York Times
-Washington Post
5
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
-Joseph C. Kraft
-A speech at Colorado Springs
-Stewart J. O. Alsop
-Joseph W. Alsop
-Kissinger’s efforts
-S. J. O. Alsop
-Richard (“Dick”) Wilson
-Support for the Administration Conv. No. 468-5 (cont.)
-Gridiron dinner
-The establishment
-President’s supporters and opponents
-Neo-isolationists
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
Laotian operation (Lam Son)
-White House objectives
-ARVN
Vietnam
-Press
-Possible White House campaign
-Timing
-Negotiations
-Status
-Kissinger’s view
-Possible future
-Dr. David K. E. Bruce’s role
-Kissinger’s role
-Participation
-A speech at the English-speaking union in London
-President’s concern
-US position
-General Nguyen Van Thieu
-Public opinion
-Effect on future US policy
-Henry M. (“Scoop”) Jackson
-Laotian operation (Lam Son)
-US position
-South Vietnamese government
Soviet Union
-Possible summit
6
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
-Possible SALT agreement
-Press response
Vietnam
-Thieu
-Possible meeting with President
-US military role
-US policy Conv. No. 468-5 (cont.)
-US military role
-Draft
-Forthcoming Presidential statement
-April 7 announcement
-Press
-An editorial about Firebase Lolo
-Inaccuracy
-Kissinger’s reports
-Military situation
-Tchepone
-Tanks
-Air power
-ARVN forces
-Melvin R. Laird
-Laos (Lam Son)
-Publicity
-White House position
-Duration of operation
-ARVN
-President’s view
Kissinger left at 9:50 am