February 28, 1971

On February 28, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, William P. Rogers, Melvin R. Laird, Richard M. Helms, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, John N. Irwin, II, Henry A. Kissinger, George H. W. Bush, U. Alexis Johnson, Frank J. Shakespeare, Joseph J. Sisco, Alfred L. Atherton, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., John H. Holdridge, Harold H. Saunders, Col. Richard T. Kennedy, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 10:00 am and 12:35 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 048-004 of the White House Tapes.

President Nixon met with his national security team, including Vice President Agnew, Henry Kissinger, and William Rogers, to review the status of ongoing military operations in Southeast Asia and the complex diplomatic situation in the Middle East. Military leadership provided a detailed briefing on Operation Lam Son 719 and related efforts to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail, emphasizing that while the fighting is intense, the operations are effectively disrupting enemy logistics and protecting American withdrawal interests. The discussion subsequently shifted to the Middle East, where the President expressed frustration over Israel's reluctance to offer a concrete negotiating position despite Egypt's concessions. Nixon concluded by stressing the importance of maintaining a firm stance, noting that while the U.S. remains a reliable ally, it will not offer unconditional support without a reciprocal commitment to a serious peace process.