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Conversation 886-004

TapeTape 886StartWednesday, March 21, 1973 at 8:24 AMEndWednesday, March 21, 1973 at 8:27 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Scowcroft, Brent G. (Gen.)Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and General Brent Scowcroft discussed the logistical logistics and timing for the final release of American prisoners of war from Hanoi and the subsequent withdrawal of U.S. troops. They analyzed transportation capabilities, confirming that the remaining five to six thousand personnel could be evacuated within three days. The conversation also addressed concerns regarding delays in the release of prisoners held in Laos, which the two men attributed to North Vietnamese stalling tactics.

Vietnam WarPOW releaseMilitary withdrawalLaosLogistics
AudioNARA Description

On March 21, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:24 am to 8:27 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 886-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 886-4

Date: March 21, 1973
Time: 8:24 am - 8:27 am
Location: Oval Office
                                              -4-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. Sept. 2010)
                                                           Conversation No. 886-4 (cont’d)

The President met with Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft.

       Vietnam
            -Prisoners of war [POW] release
                  -Timing
                  -Departure from Hanoi
                  -Troop withdrawals
                        -Transportation capabilities
                        -Timing
                  -Timing
                  -Laos
                        -Delays
                        -Troop withdrawals

Scowcroft left at 8:27 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 would prefer to put it in terms of I prefer to have the last group come out basically on a
26th, our day.
On our day, the 26th?
How would that be?
That would be the 27th, early on the 27th.
They've usually been picking them up in Hanoi about noon, which is about midnight the day before.
Do you live with all of them?
So we have between five and six thousand.
We can get them out with the lift we have in three days.
Three days it will take us to get them out.
They have offered all the money that would be the 24th, Saturday the 24th.
And into the early morning hours of the 25th.
Again, except for those 9 in Laos, who they would say would be out another 28.
Well, they're just waiting.
They're waiting for Laos.
Well, that's the last...
They've been kind of playing footsie with those.
In Laos, anyway.
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
Good.
Can't make any blitzes on that.
Good.
Okay.
Perfect.
That's the sound position.
Yes, sir.
And that's the worst.
Oh, there's that one, too.
Sorry, too.
In terms of what we're calling it, yes, it is.
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