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Conversation 853-008

TapeTape 853StartThursday, February 8, 1973 at 9:54 AMEndThursday, February 8, 1973 at 10:31 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon dictates his reflections on the Vietnam settlement, emphasizing the need for caution in dealings with Congress and the press. He discusses the emotional impact of meeting with families of missing soldiers, such as the Nolde family, while warning against allowing personal grievances or political agendas to undermine loyalty. Additionally, Nixon evaluates Henry Kissinger's 'Peace is at Hand' statement, characterizing the resulting media interpretation as a misunderstanding of Kissinger's original intentions.

Vietnam WarHenry KissingerPress relationsNolde familyForeign policy negotiationsWhite House public relations
AudioNARA Description

On February 8, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:54 am and 10:31 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 853-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 853-8

Date: February 8, 1973
Time: Unknown between 9:54 am and 10:31 am
Location: Oval Office

The President dictated.

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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

       Vietnam settlement
             -Cabinet breakfast
             -Nolde family
             -Story
             -Dwight D. Eisenhower
             -Nolde visit with President
                     -Emotional state
             -Attitude
             -Congress
             -Press relations
                     -Obligations
                     -Need for caution
                     -Questions
             -Amnesty
                     -President’s position
                             -Liberal attitude
             -Henry A. Kissinger’s “Peace is at Hand” statement
                     -Kissinger’s intention
                     -Press interpretation
                     -Allies
                     -Negotiation

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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The President finished dictating at an unknown time before 10:31 am.
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                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                            (rev. Feb.-10)
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 could tell, and I tried to, and I fell in love with a little 18-year-old, 16-year-old girl who had some, she was missing.
And the first night, she said, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said, I said,
A person can spark or can show calm or strength, particularly because motion is so often misplaced.
And also, it's an indication of weakness under pressure.
On the other hand, perhaps the smallest thing together
I hope that their attitude will not be poisoned by the search for money in the U.S. State Congress.
I urge them to go on the U.S. and press.
You should have personal friends, and that is something a personal friend would not do.
Above any personal friendship or a gathering is basic loyalty.
And to this profession, that is to get the story, that is the cost.
Of course, I could mention two or three people.
You could apply the rule of talking frankly with them, but they are so huge.
I'm not beginning that much there.
That would mean that they should bear outside caution and probably be freedom.
On the other hand, YouTube and other people have to be timid, because they are very beholden to it.
And of course, the press would sense that it is a very, very delicate balance, whether it's money, dissension, or a public person.
um and i will say that on the other hand
that he did not intend.
He just dropped the phrase in, but they took it out.
And, frankly, as far as the pieces of the press created, it's one of the problems in getting the piece, which really wasn't him.
And perhaps we'll lay this out in a few months.
He had his name.
It's probably us as well.
We had to go.
He had a name, December, in our email.
It's a better sign to demonstrate to our allies and to our potential armies that we cannot be tribal, that we cannot be a filibuster in our effort to negotiate on a moderate or reasonable terms.
That is the end of this meeting.
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