Conversation: 709-019
Prev:  709-018 Next: 709-020Start Date: 17-Apr-1972 12:15 PM
End Date: 17-Apr-1972 12:28 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Recording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 03:37:34
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 03:50:56
NARA Description:
On April 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:15 pm to 12:28 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 709-019 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid:
Conversation No. 709-19 Date: April 17, 1972 Time: 12:15 pm - 12:28 pm Location: Oval Office The President met with Henry A. Kissinger. Vietnam Kissinger's conversation with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin -William P. Rogers's testimony -Praise from Kissinger -Kissinger's conversation with Dobrynin -Purpose -Interim compromise -Difficulties -Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr’s report -Demilitarized zone [DMZ] -North Vietnamese capabilities -US response -Negotiations -US bombing -Soviets -Pressure -Dobrynin -Blockade -Implementation -Immediacy -Upcoming elections -Interim agreement -Rejection -Consequences -Possible Soviet actions -Advantages according to Kissinger -Soviet Summit -People’s Republic of China [PRC] summit -Possible Middle East settlement -Problem -1972 election -Continuation of war -Possible outcome 42 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/06) Conv. No. 709-19 (cont.) -Haig’s report -Cessation of offensive -Prevention of future offensive -Timing -Assurance by the Soviets -North Vietnamese offensive -Possible actions by Hanoi -US response -Timing -Prisoners of war [POWs] -Failure -Concern from Kissinger -Blockade -Impact -Compared to 1969 -Weaknesses -Circumvention -Interim Solution -POWs -Haig report -Military Region One -South Vietnamese performance -Increase in South Vietnamese strength -US bombing -Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. -Carriers -Bombing support -North Vietnam -Number of sorties -South Vietnam -increase -I Corps -North Vietnamese weakness -B-52s -Ground action -South Vietnamese strength -Improved situation -Compared with Laos operation -Retreats -Provincial capitals -Demoralization of North Vietnam 43 NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF Tape Subject Log (rev. 10/06) Conv. No. 709-19 (cont.) -US strategy -Military action -Toughness from the President -Peace offers -Soviet Summit -Preservation of US integrity -Blockade -Implementation -Timing -Threat -Soviet Summit -Meeting with Polish Ambassador [Witold Trampczynski] -Cancellation -Chances -Symbolism -Kissinger's Moscow meeting -Press reports Kissinger left at 12:28 pm.