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Conversation 666-003

TapeTape 666StartMonday, February 7, 1972 at 11:54 AMEndMonday, February 7, 1972 at 12:23 PMTape start time02:35:57Tape end time02:38:08ParticipantsBull, Stephen B.;  [Unknown person(s)]Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

Stephen B. Bull and an unidentified participant discuss the administration’s messaging strategy regarding negotiations and the potential for a political settlement. The conversation focuses on clarifying the U.S. position on separating political and military issues while critiquing the use of propaganda channels. They emphasize a preference for formal bargaining sessions and ensure consistent messaging across official channels, including past statements from the President and Henry Kissinger.

Foreign policyNegotiation strategyPublic relationsVietnam WarPolitical messaging
AudioNARA Description

On February 7, 1972, Stephen B. Bull and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:54 am and 12:23 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 666-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 666-3

Date: February 7, 1972
Time: Unknown between 11:54 pm and 12:23 pm
Location: Oval Office

Stephen B. Bull met with an unknown person.

     Request for a call to the press office
         -Bull’s schedule

Bull and the unknown person left at an unknown time before 12:23 pm.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

They have always insisted, in one way or another, on a political condition.
They would never allow a separation.
That is good.
Now, a good way to handle that would be if I'm asked that.
They've always insisted on a political connection.
The President of the United States has said that.
The Secretary of State has said that.
And the Kissinger said it in the records.
Sorry, I'm sorry.
Okay.
And then now she said, now, on the other hand, I would not leave any impression.
I still leave a little door open with regard to the possibility of negotiations being given up.
No.
No, we, but frankly, the way to succeed in negotiations is not to have this propaganda channel.
This, that we don't buy propaganda shots, is not the way that what we, we think what we do is shoot.
Go to the bargaining table.
Bargaining table, either in public or private sessions, whatever they want.
We're ready to negotiate.
They don't have any trick language in the transcript today to make the point that they don't make a political decision.
They never did.
They never did.
In August, we had already moved to the same thing, the political and military things.
May 31st, they turned it down.
After they made the last point, we did it because it was their dream.
In August, one new vocation said that in August we again opted for the military.
That's what we said in the speech.
No?
No, no, no.
You know, my dad's already, wherever he's at now, he's preaching at the present part of the game, and I've always wanted to hear what he's saying.
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