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Conversation 718-010

TapeTape 718StartWednesday, May 3, 1972 at 12:14 PMEndWednesday, May 3, 1972 at 12:18 PMTape start time02:19:19Tape end time02:21:28ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discuss the urgent preparation of a high-stakes speech, with Nixon demanding a draft by the following evening to clarify his strategic thinking. The conversation touches upon the necessity of decisive action, weighing the risks and perceptions of a potential military strike. Nixon emphasizes the limited options available to the administration and mandates a final decision to avoid the appearance of hesitation.

SpeechwritingMilitary strategyDecision-makingPresidential schedulingForeign policy
AudioNARA Description

On May 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:14 pm and 12:18 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 718-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 718-10

Date: May 3, 1972
Time: 12:14-unknown before 12:18 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Stephen B. Bull.

                                        (rev. Dec-01)

     President's schedule
          -Forthcoming meeting
          -Barber
                 -Time
                 -Arrangements
                 -Time

Bull left at an unknown time before 12:18 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I want the speech, or I haven't prepared the speech, because getting the speech and writing it will help me get my own thinking in the right time of day.
And so I want the speech or copy of it by, uh, well, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday.
Well, let us say, let us say, could we have a copy of the speech rather than tomorrow?
Could we have it tomorrow at 7, after dinner, 7 o'clock?
That gets all day tomorrow.
Fair enough.
And you just put it in there, and we'll, we'll, we'll, we'll do it.
I'm sorry, we'll do it.
This will be one real surprise.
On the edge of that, there will be absolutely no reason.
It will make you look very strong.
For a moment.
For a while.
But on the other hand, on the other hand, we will definitely serve.
And frankly, it's the only choice we have.
See, that's the way we have to look at it.
If we had a better choice, we'd make it, wouldn't we?
Well, you can do the two-day strike.
I think if we wait with that too long, if we wait just, they'll think we're flanking.
I mean, we can't be any mad.
Well, the two-day strike, it could still go.
If it went by Tuesday, we wouldn't be waiting too long.
No, but... No, but...
That's about it.
Partially, we've got to go one way or the other.
That's what I meant.
So that's why you've got to decide.
I've got to decide to go, uh, on this thing.
If you can't do this on it, you can do it on the two-day strike for a while.
Well, I can hold that.
Okay, I'll, I'll get that done.
But I agree you can't hold up the decision until, uh, the weekend at play.
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