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Conversation 725-026

TapeTape 725StartTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 10:55 AMEndTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 11:03 AMTape start time02:59:58Tape end time03:07:16ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss domestic political support for the Vietnam War effort ahead of the President's upcoming Soviet trip, emphasizing the need for congressional unity rather than a cutoff of funds. The two discussed maintaining a firm negotiating stance with North Vietnam, specifically regarding the necessity of a ceasefire and the return of POWs as non-negotiable conditions. Additionally, they reviewed the upcoming resignation of Secretary of the Treasury John Connally and the subsequent appointment of George Shultz as his successor.

Vietnam WarPeace negotiationsPOWsJohn B. ConnallyGeorge P. ShultzCongressional support
AudioNARA Description

On May 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:55 am to 11:03 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 725-026 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 725-26

Date: May 16, 1972
Time: 10:55 am - 11:03 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

      Vietnam
          -Doves
               -Kissinger's previous meeting
               -Support for President
               -Congressional action
                     -Funds cutoff
                           -Timing
                           -President's Soviet trip
                           -Effect
               -Kissinger's points
               -Doves' position
                     -Partnership
               -Resolution of support for President
          -North Vietnam
               -President's meeting with Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
                     -Plenary sessions
          -Peace negotiations
               -Conditions
               -President's offer
               -Conditions
               -Seven points
               -US conditions
                     -Prisoners of War [POW] return
                     -Cease-fire

                                      (rev. Jan-02)

              -Plenary sessions
                   -Advantages and disadvantages

     John B. Connally
         -Trip to Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia
               -Purposes
               -Time
               -Other countries to visit
                    -Peru
         -Appointment to President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory
              Board [PFIAB]
         -Resignation as Secretary of Treasury
               -Announcement
                    -Time
               -Reasons
               -Replacements
                    -George P. Shultz
                    -Caspar W. Weinberger

**********************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 34s        ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

**********************************************************************

         -Resignation
               -Kissinger's knowledge
               -Tenure
                    -January expiration
                          -Monetary and economic policy work
               -Reluctance to take positions
               -Delay
                    -Length
         -Compared with Shultz
         -Kissinger’s view
         -Compared with Shultz
         -Resignation

                                         (rev. Jan-02)

                 -Idanell B. (“Nellie”) Connally
            -Possible trip to Africa
            -Appointment to PFIAB
            -Previous week's activity

      Kissinger's schedule
          -Cabinet meeting
                -Connally's resignation
                -Announcement
                -Press announcement

The President and Kissinger left at 11:03 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.

Well, they're bleeding all over the place.
All they want to do is support you.
I said, I understand.
They want to vote for something.
Yeah, I'll vote for a month before I go to Russia.
I hope you made the point.
I won't undercut this president before he goes to the most important negotiation in the post-war era.
I certainly did not.
They were just baffling about responsibility to the public and the contented people who have conquered.
They finally said, anything, if you go to them and say, with anything at all, they'll vote for it, that indicates a joint partnership.
They just don't...
I mean, it's a joint partnership all the time.
Right.
You can figure out something on mine, but why don't they just have a resolution supporting what we've said?
I told Dick this morning, Harry, and I think you should know this too, and I heard that he said, my God, it's something.
Or if we have the needs of action for a climate recession, now I'm babbling around.
The point is, your strategy is exactly right.
But we have to realize
We say we will go back to negotiations without a transition.
We must never agree to that.
Never agree to that for the reason that the offer that I have made is not an offer from which we can bargain now.
It's rock bottom.
That's right.
We cannot go further.
You see, that's the problem that we have.
There is one, seven points from which they can bargain now, but we've got one where we can't.
Well, I think we can say the phrase without the business in itself doesn't mean anything.
which just means we have to be prepared to talk about their seven points and they have to be prepared to talk about ours.
But I think we should say, on the other hand, let me be very clear, gentlemen, the President will insist, we have to insist on a return of our POWs in a ceasefire.
I think it's a mistake to go back to the plenaries now without getting some assurances because when they break up again, then you get again a crisis atmosphere.
I mean, I see nothing for us in going to plenary unless we know they're going to leave somewhere.
Yeah.
Let me ask you this with regard to Conway.
It would be very useful from a political standpoint, and he would like recognition to it, if, like we returned from Russia, I had sent him to Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia.
Because our report on, you know, the disgusting presence of it.
Is there any other country there that could be included?
Should Peru be enough?
Why not?
Those are the three big ones.
Brazil...
I just took the... Huh?
I just took...
There's a group.
There's a Brazil, Ireland, India, and Congo group.
Those are the four big countries.
I think it's a good idea.
Yeah.
Also, I want to put it back on VHOP.
Well, you have never had a cabinet member...
When he's out of there, he's leaving.
Connolly's leaving?
You've been building.
No.
That's what we're announcing today.
Now, this was understood in January.
We couldn't tell you, but Connolly only agreed to come in three years, and he's leaving.
And we're announcing that he shall also take his place in Perry Street and White River.
No, I had a hard time on January when his year was up.
Yeah, it won't be anything like last time.
Oh, yeah.
I mean, Connolly, you know, with all your favorite agents, it was a pleasure to have a strong man.
Well, it was a pleasure to have a guy that was a ballsy guy in a fight.
Sorry, we had all that, but we just haven't got anybody else.
Schultz has got to go now.
Also, Schultz is easy.
We don't have to break somebody yet.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
I think all the best.
I mean, Schultz, if you're not going to have Connolly, Schultz is as good.
In many ways, Schultz is more rigid than Connolly, but more...
It can't be Richard at all to pet a guy on a nighttime date.
I've thought about that.
It's his wife.
She hates the man, doesn't she?
Yes.
They love each other.
They love each other.
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