President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler met to coordinate the public communication strategy regarding upcoming U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam. They established a procedure where Nixon would deliver a brief announcement following an introduction by Ziegler, after which Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird would handle subsequent press questions. Ziegler committed to providing the President with a status report prior to the official announcement.
On January 13, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:34 am to 10:35 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 647-006 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 647-6
Date: January 13, 1972
Time: 10:34 am - 10:35 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.
Procedure for announcing US troop withdrawals from Vietnam
-The President and Melvin R. Laird
-The President’s comments
-Length
-Introduction of the President
-Laird’s role
-Report by Ziegler
-Timing
Ziegler left at 10:35 am.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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.