Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 639-018
Date: Saturday, December 18, 1971 at 5:12 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/639-018

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:03] Yes, sir.
[0:05] Well, Mr. Larriton had a conference with the chairman, and they're putting out the execute mail.
[0:12] On the public relations side, they're developing very firm guidance, so it will be announced from there.
[0:18] They're also announcing tonight from Saigon rather than from Washington because that will tend to hype up too much the irregular and stepped-up enemy air activity.
[0:30] in this crescent of mega-pivot agents, which can stop going in American planes.
[0:37] And they're going to do it from Saigon.
[0:38] It will come out anyway.
[0:42] Right, sir.
[0:44] No, it will not be announced.
[0:47] It's going to come from Saigon as a normal protective reaction, and it will probably occur at the earliest tomorrow night hour time.
[0:57] and probably Monday night out of town.
[1:03] They're going to do it precisely the way we said, the way we did the last one, which worked so successfully, although this may get some attention.
[1:13] Now, I've thought about it, sir, and I'm confident this is the right time to do it.
[1:19] Oh, sure.
[1:19] They're moving full bore in northern Laos.
[1:22] They're moving full bore in northern Laos right now.
[1:26] And this is, uh...
[1:29] This is doing what you said you would do.
[2:09] Yeah, I think that he got him.
[2:23] I'll be here in a second.
[2:39] all in terms of setbacks uh because
[3:09] These firebases that the Lowy regulars have, some five of them are hit very hard today.
[3:18] And I think this is the time to do it.
[3:20] And I think it, in my own views, or just before Christmas, is really better than just that.
[3:28] It'll be submerged and Congress is away, you know.
[3:35] And we told the Chinese to expect this, that these guys keep this up.
[4:04] told the Soviets that.
[4:07] Another European leader.
[4:18] I think we're going to get the maximum impact, and we've got to play each one on its own merits.
[4:23] This is the coming.
[4:25] Mr. Larry is very enthusiastic about it.
[4:30] That's a rarity.
[4:37] I've seen a noticeable change in him in the last six months in terms of hockey fans.
[4:45] That's right, and he said that could change if we waited.
[4:53] He said right now the weather looks very good.
[5:02] Also, it's a demonstration of our strength, and we'll be getting 378 sorties of bay in there.
[5:10] Yes, sir.
[5:12] We're doing that today, sir.
[5:17] We've approved four total B-52Fs going into the house.
[5:25] Where these attacks are taking place.
[5:27] We found these field guns that they've moved in there.
[5:31] We found them, and some with 52s and some with fighter aircraft.
[5:35] cave busters.
[5:36] What they do is they put them in caves and bring them out to fly us and we're going to get them to the caves and sell.
[5:43] And they're a devastating new weapon in there for our people.
[5:58] You knew we decided not to send the, or go public with the
[6:03] Gandy letter.
[6:05] No, I thought you were.
[6:06] I'm glad I didn't, to be honest.
[6:09] Well, I thought that would make sense, too, and I recommend to Henry that we not do it.
[6:17] Ron was concerned about it.
[6:19] It just makes sense.
[6:20] Why not?
[6:20] Why not?
[6:21] That's what makes sense.
[6:24] And in a private sense, it's a little star-chilling her because we've told them that we don't play it this way, although you did, and we leave it up to you.
[6:32] If you want to make the public, go ahead.
[6:36] Good.
[6:37] All right.
[6:39] Everybody, move up.
[6:40] The grass is up.
[6:42] Everybody's up.
[6:44] Yeah, I know.
[6:45] He knows the camera.
[6:46] That's the camera.
[6:47] We're on the camera.
[6:48] No, I'm saying you are.
[6:50] That's right.
[6:51] Absolutely.
[6:53] Good.