Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 668-015
Date: Wednesday, February 9, 1972 at 11:20 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Ziegler, Ronald L.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/668-015

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[3:03:45] Let me turn now to Vietnam.
[3:03:47] This has been America's longest and most difficult war.
[3:03:50] It began long before I became president, and I have been doing everything I can honorably do to end it.
[3:03:56] I brought almost one and a half million men home from Vietnam.
[3:04:01] As high as 300 a week were being killed in action when I took office.
[3:04:05] This week there were two.
[3:04:07] We reduced air surges, budget cuts, and draft calls.
[3:04:13] Let me turn now to Vietnam.
[3:04:19] This has been Americas longest and most difficult war.
[3:04:41] It began long before I became president, and I have been doing everything I can honorably do to end it.
[3:04:49] I have brought almost one and a half million men home from Vietnam.
[3:04:53] As high as 300 a week were being killed in action when I took office.
[3:04:56] This week there were two.
[3:04:58] We have reduced air surges, budget costs, and draft costs.
[3:05:04] We have made the most generous peace offer in the history of warfare.
[3:05:09] I have no complaint over the fact that during this period, when I have been ending the war, I did not begin.
[3:05:16] I have been subjected to vigorous criticism.
[3:05:20] And I do not question the patriotism or the sincerity of those who disagree with my policy to bring peace.