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Conversation 722-001

TapeTape 722StartTuesday, May 9, 1972 at 9:54 AMEndTuesday, May 9, 1972 at 10:00 AMTape start time00:00:20Tape end time00:09:35ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.;  [Unknown person(s)];  Woods, Rose MaryRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the tactical implementation of the U.S. blockade and mining of North Vietnamese ports following the President’s May 8 speech. The discussion focused on executing massive air strikes against strategic targets like rail bridges and POL (petroleum, oil, and lubricant) storage, while emphasizing a calculated approach to avoid direct confrontation with Soviet vessels. Nixon underscored the need for presidential resolve and noted with satisfaction that public and media reactions remained surprisingly restrained, tasking Kissinger with further preparation regarding diplomatic communications and potential Soviet responses.

Vietnam WarOperation LinebackerNaval blockadeHenry KissingerSoviet-American relationsMining of Haiphong Harbor
AudioNARA Description

On May 9, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Henry A. Kissinger, unknown person(s), and Rose Mary Woods met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:54 am to 10:00 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 722-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 722-1

Date: May 9, 1972
Time: 9:54 am - 10:00 am
Location: Oval Office
                                                                       Conv. No.
The President met with Henry A. Kissinger; the recording began at an unknown  time722-14
                                                                                   while (cont.)
                                                                                         the
meeting was in progress.

     Kissinger's schedule
          -Meeting with President
                -Memorandum from President
                -Press briefing
                -Time

     Vietnam
          -Air strikes
                -Discussion
                -Intensity
                -Targets
                      -Railroad bridges
                      -Petroleum, oil and lubricant [POL] dumps
                            -Haiphong
                      -Power plants
                -Soviets
                      -Anatoliy F. Dobrynin
                            -The President’s May 8, 1972 speech
                      -Agreements with US
                      -Protests to US

     Egon Bahr
         -Call to Kissinger

Kissinger talked with an unknown person at an unknown time between 9:54 and 10:00 am.

[Conversation No. 722-1A]

     Possible call From Bahr

[End of telephone conversation]

     Vietnam
          -President's memorandum to Kissinger
          -Blockade
                -President's decision
                      -Julius Caesar
                -Success
                      -Requirements
                -Press reports
                      -Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
                -Public response
                      -George Meany
                           -President’s telephone call

Rose Mary Woods entered at an unknown time after 9:54 am.

           -Memorandum for Kissinger
                -President's speech
                      -Press reaction
                            -Student interviews
                                  -George Washington University
                            -Tone

Woods left at an unknown time before 10:00 am.

     Vietnam
          -Blockade
               -William P. Rogers's statement
               -Purpose
                    -Seaborne supplies
                    -Mining
               -Soviet ships
                    -Avoidance
               -North Vietnamese territorial waters
               -Soviets
                    -President's previous letter
                    -Kissinger's previous meeting with Dobrynin
                    -Cancellation of Summit
                          -Statement

     Kissinger's schedule
          -Washington Special Actions Group [WSAG]
          -Meetings with President
                -Time

Kissinger left at 10:00 am.
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'd like to talk about the strikes and so forth and so on in general.
The general impression we have, I don't know, but just so that you can have it in the back of your mind.
I think it's very important.
The first flush of this, that we act very strongly.
It's very important not to temporize in this country completely.
They're going to see some massive attacks tonight.
They're going to take out a railway bridge leading into Hanoi and all the marshalling yachts around Hanoi.
And they're going to go after the P-O-L-N-I-P-H-O-N.
The carbon plant.
The carbon plant.
So it doesn't seem to be talking about it.
The carbon plant, you see, you know, another reason that they're not entering, is they get some oil.
Yeah.
And you might as well, you might as well listen to Dan Hart for them to do it.
Do you think we were right in taking out that reference that we were going to request today?
Why, I suppose, is it cheap, John?
Cheap, yeah.
And I thought it was the same thing.
Because we don't want them to dispute with us about what was assured.
And it would embarrass them.
And I know this is going to be strong medicine for them to take.
And if they take this, Mr. President, why can't I take it?
But, I mean, your view is the answer to the problem, right?
Let me say, I know that we've done it in the ring.
And you and I, we have worked.
Let's face it, we've put in our gold.
Could I check on one thing, Mr. Vincent?
Bob was gonna call me tonight, if he had.
Mr. Vincent, yes?
Did Bob call me?
Put it through.
I've written this memo down.
You can get it to me before we press record.
Oh, do it.
I just want you to know that you just battened down the hatches.
You've done the right thing.
But the important thing to know is that having done it, having crossed the route of time,
Remember, Caesar crossed with any blood.
And now we're going to.
And it requires more.
It's going to be more.
And you understand that in my understanding.
Everything's on the line.
But it requires coolness.
I'm actually interested in this person.
I watched this morning's CBS.
And they're actually not tearing us apart the way I thought they would.
We've got some other reactions.
Did you notice me sitting there?
This is very, very rough.
I didn't look at it.
Instead, I think you should know that most of the, even the students and people they've interviewed that haven't had, once they interviewed that were for you, were so much better looking, like last night from George Washington University.
I didn't see that, but I saw this morning.
I was just having a session on this morning, so...
I was amazed how restrained even the newsmen actually were.
Thank you.
I think the point to make is, gentlemen, let's understand that the
in the technical sense of course, but the purpose of this is the same as a blockade.
The purpose is to cut off sea-borne supplies.
We find the accomplishment of our perspective through mining and through other activities within the 12-mile limit, and that's what we're doing.
The only thing I'll stay away from is the direct challenge to Russian ships, because I think we ought to build them a way out.
We're not including that, we're not having a high season.
Exactly.
That's why I say, we found that it is not necessary to do so, and that's why we're looking on the inside, three mile limit.
We're not challenging the ships.
I wouldn't say three.
I wouldn't make clear, but it's three or 12 miles.
All right.
Within territorial waters or something like that.
Basically, that little section on Russia left them every opening possible.
And then the letter came to them.
The letter was beautifully done.
You're safe to be on the train.
Now it's time for your repair, though, when they cancel.
We've got a statement on it.
You've got it ready?
I've got your order.
Oh, sure, sure.
Get it right to work.
You've got a half hour.
Right.
I'm glad.
When you finish, let me know.
I'll get it.
I want you to prepare a letter.
If you have anything else, as soon as you finish, I'll be available for 1130 on it.
Right.
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