About this recording
158–40
- Charles W. Colson
- John A. Scali
December 30, 1972
Conversation No. 158-40
Date: December 30, 1972
Time: 11:06 am - 11:42 am
Location: Camp David Study Table
The President talked with Charles W. Colson.
[See Conversation No. 237-51/238-1]
Vietnam War
-Cessation of US bombing north of 20th Parallel
-Announcement
-Gerald L. Warren’s press conference
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Preparation
-The President’s meeting with Warren and Col. Richard T.
Kennedy
-Questions
-Review
-Press relations
-Reaction
-Number of reporters
-Reaction
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger, Le Duc Tho
-49-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Timing
-Technical talks
-Timing
-Questions
-William B. Saxbe’s statement
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Halt
-Resumption of negotiations
-Tone
-Responsibility for initiative
-John A. Scali’s view
-“No comment” response
-US military operations
-“No comment” response
-Kissinger’s view
-Kissinger’s conversation with Colson
-Scali
-Resumption of negotiations
-Responsibility for initiative
-Message
-Kissinger and Le Duc Tho
-Kissinger’s press conference, December
16, 1972
-Kissinger’s “peace is at hand” comment, October 26, 1972
-Warren
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Warren’s performance
-Statement
-Kissinger’s concern
-Avoiding “crowing” about victory
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Warren
-William P. Rogers’s schedule
-Melvin R. Laird’s schedule
-Congressmen and Senators
-Kissinger’s conversation with Colson
-Negotiations
-Statements
-Effect
-50-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger’s press conference, December 16, 1972
-Exchange of messages
-Warren’s statement
-Kennedy
-Scali
-Announcement
-Scali
-Knowledge, conversations with reporters
-Kissinger’s concerns
-Kissinger’s press relations
-John F. Osborne
-Palm Springs, California article
-Kissinger’s telephone calls from the President
-Announcement
-Wire reports
-Warren audio report
-Ziegler
-Scali
-Radio stories
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger, Le Duc Tho
-Ziegler
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-John D. Ehrlichman
-Ziegler
-Kissinger’s role
-Warren
-Warren’s performance
-Scali’s conversation with Stewart M Hensley
-Hensley’s article
-Scali’s conversation with Robert Pierpoint
-The President’s demeanor
-Confidence in settlement agreement
-Decisiveness
-Kissinger
-Wire reports
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger
-51-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Timing
-Warren
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-US policy
-Scali
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Bombing and mining north of 20th Parallel
-Suspension
-Negotiations
-Tone
-Resumption
-Possible Hensley article
-Scali
-Announcement
-Colson’s conversation with Scali
-Hensley, Pierpoint
-The President’s possible conversation with Scali
-Scali’s view
-Warren’s performance
-Tone
-Congressional relations
-William E. Timmons
-Colson’s conversation with Kissinger
-Kissinger’s telephone calls
-Michael J. Mansfield
-Gerald R. Ford
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Carl B. Albert
-Ronald W. Reagan
-F. Edward Hebert
-Thomas C. Korologos
-Kennedy
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-William B. Saxbe’s statements
-Response
-Request for apology
-[Donald E. Lukens]
-Hugh Scott
-Colson’s conversation with Korologos
-52-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Appointments
-Keith McNamara
-Effect
-Ohio
-“Doves”
-New York Times
-Washington Post
-New York Times
-Reaction to US bombing of North
Vietnam
-Sweden, Australia
-Britain, France, Italy
-Democrats
-Study group
-Wilbur D. Mills’s
statement
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Criticism
-Public relations [PR]
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-PR
-Negotiations
-Build up
-Demonstrations
-Press relations
-The President’s November 3, 1969 speech
-Congressional relations
-Colson’s possible call to an unknown person
-Colson’s conversation with Timmons, Korologos
-Kissinger
-Korologos
-Telephone calls
-Dr. Thomas E. (“Doc”) Morgan
-Robert J. Dole
-Republican National Committee [RNC]
-William S. Mailliard
-George D. Aiken
-Korologos
-53-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Announcement
-Press relations
-Scali’s note
-Hensley
-Gaylord Shaw, Associated Press [AP]
-William Gill, American Broadcasting Company [ABC]
-Pierpoint
-Richard G. Valeriani
Scali
-Conversation with the President
-Appointment
-Ambassadorship to United Nations [UN]
Vietnam negotiations
-Congressional relations
-Mansfield
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Briefing
-Timing
-J. William Fulbright
The President talked with Scali at an unknown time between 11:06 am and 11:42 am.
Vietnam War
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Reaction
-Appointments
-Letters
-Scali
-Daniel P. (“Pat”) Moynihan
-Cessation north of 20th Parallel
-Announcement
-Warren’s press conference
-Kissinger
-Preparation
-The President’s meeting with Warren, Kennedy
-Warren’s performance
-Scali’s conversation with Kissinger
-54-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Press relations
-Exchange of messages
-Kissinger’s press conference, December 16,
1972
-Christmas 1972
-Press relations
-Hensley
-Shaw of AP
-The President’s demeanor
-Gill
-Resumption of negotiations
-North Vietnam
-Liberals
-Pierpoint
-Attribution to Scali
-Kissinger’s press conference, December 16, 1972
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-North Vietnam’s signal
-The President’s demeanor
-Valeriani
-National Broadcasting Company [NBC]
-Meeting with Scali
-Critics
-Statements
-Kissinger’s concern
-Avoiding “crowing” about victory
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Congressional relations
-Commentators
-Negotiations
-North Vietnam
-Power
-The President’s demeanor
-Realism
-Announcement
-Press relations
-Warren’s press conference
-Scali’s conversation with Valeriani
-Surprise
-55-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Congressional relations
-The President’s decision
-Kissinger
-Necessity
-Negotiations
-North Vietnam’s delays
-Duration
-Effect
-Return of POWs
-Military build up
-Surface to air missiles [SAMs]
-Infiltration rates
-Forthcoming US bombing
-Trucks
th
-Cessation north of 20 Parallel
-Announcement
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Consistancy
-Explanation
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Bombing and mining north of 20th Parallel
-Suspension
-Negotiations
-Resumption
-Ziegler
-Possible Hensley article
-North Vietnam’s delays
-Congressional relations
-Cut off of funds
-Cessation north of 20th Parallel
-Warren’s press conference
-Kissinger’s schedule
-Consultation with the President
-Telephone calls
-Telephone calls
-Richard (“Dick”) Wilson
-William S. White
-Crosby S. Noyes
-Washington Star
-56-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Moynihan
-State Department briefing
-Meeting with scientists
-Washington Post
-Harvard University
-Korologos
-Compared to Timmons
-Morgan, Mailliard, Aiken
-Media relations
-Scali
-The President’s demeanor
-Determination, decisiveness
-Announcement
-Effect
-Walter L. Cronkite, Jr.
-John Chancellor
-David Brinkley
-[Arnold] Eric Sevareid
-New York Times op-ed article
-Demonstration
-Dean Francis Sayre
-Reaction
-Telephone calls
-Washington National Cathedral
-Possible appearance
-Likelihood
-Reaction
-Charles P. Collins, III
-Blind veteran
-John M. O’Neill
-Possible appearance
-Likelihood
-Colson’s possible call to John B. Connally
-Explanation
-The President’s television [TV] appearance
-Advisability
-Press and media relations
-Washington, DC
-North Vietnam
-57-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Kissinger’s view
-Self-interest
The President’s schedule
-Call to Kissinger
Date: December 30, 1972
Time: 11:06 am - 11:42 am
Location: Camp David Study Table
The President talked with Charles W. Colson.
[See Conversation No. 237-51/238-1]
Vietnam War
-Cessation of US bombing north of 20th Parallel
-Announcement
-Gerald L. Warren’s press conference
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Preparation
-The President’s meeting with Warren and Col. Richard T.
Kennedy
-Questions
-Review
-Press relations
-Reaction
-Number of reporters
-Reaction
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger, Le Duc Tho
-49-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Timing
-Technical talks
-Timing
-Questions
-William B. Saxbe’s statement
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Halt
-Resumption of negotiations
-Tone
-Responsibility for initiative
-John A. Scali’s view
-“No comment” response
-US military operations
-“No comment” response
-Kissinger’s view
-Kissinger’s conversation with Colson
-Scali
-Resumption of negotiations
-Responsibility for initiative
-Message
-Kissinger and Le Duc Tho
-Kissinger’s press conference, December
16, 1972
-Kissinger’s “peace is at hand” comment, October 26, 1972
-Warren
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Warren’s performance
-Statement
-Kissinger’s concern
-Avoiding “crowing” about victory
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Warren
-William P. Rogers’s schedule
-Melvin R. Laird’s schedule
-Congressmen and Senators
-Kissinger’s conversation with Colson
-Negotiations
-Statements
-Effect
-50-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger’s press conference, December 16, 1972
-Exchange of messages
-Warren’s statement
-Kennedy
-Scali
-Announcement
-Scali
-Knowledge, conversations with reporters
-Kissinger’s concerns
-Kissinger’s press relations
-John F. Osborne
-Palm Springs, California article
-Kissinger’s telephone calls from the President
-Announcement
-Wire reports
-Warren audio report
-Ziegler
-Scali
-Radio stories
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger, Le Duc Tho
-Ziegler
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-John D. Ehrlichman
-Ziegler
-Kissinger’s role
-Warren
-Warren’s performance
-Scali’s conversation with Stewart M Hensley
-Hensley’s article
-Scali’s conversation with Robert Pierpoint
-The President’s demeanor
-Confidence in settlement agreement
-Decisiveness
-Kissinger
-Wire reports
-Resumption of negotiations
-Kissinger
-51-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Timing
-Warren
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-US policy
-Scali
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Bombing and mining north of 20th Parallel
-Suspension
-Negotiations
-Tone
-Resumption
-Possible Hensley article
-Scali
-Announcement
-Colson’s conversation with Scali
-Hensley, Pierpoint
-The President’s possible conversation with Scali
-Scali’s view
-Warren’s performance
-Tone
-Congressional relations
-William E. Timmons
-Colson’s conversation with Kissinger
-Kissinger’s telephone calls
-Michael J. Mansfield
-Gerald R. Ford
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Carl B. Albert
-Ronald W. Reagan
-F. Edward Hebert
-Thomas C. Korologos
-Kennedy
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-William B. Saxbe’s statements
-Response
-Request for apology
-[Donald E. Lukens]
-Hugh Scott
-Colson’s conversation with Korologos
-52-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Appointments
-Keith McNamara
-Effect
-Ohio
-“Doves”
-New York Times
-Washington Post
-New York Times
-Reaction to US bombing of North
Vietnam
-Sweden, Australia
-Britain, France, Italy
-Democrats
-Study group
-Wilbur D. Mills’s
statement
-Hubert H. Humphrey
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Criticism
-Public relations [PR]
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-PR
-Negotiations
-Build up
-Demonstrations
-Press relations
-The President’s November 3, 1969 speech
-Congressional relations
-Colson’s possible call to an unknown person
-Colson’s conversation with Timmons, Korologos
-Kissinger
-Korologos
-Telephone calls
-Dr. Thomas E. (“Doc”) Morgan
-Robert J. Dole
-Republican National Committee [RNC]
-William S. Mailliard
-George D. Aiken
-Korologos
-53-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Announcement
-Press relations
-Scali’s note
-Hensley
-Gaylord Shaw, Associated Press [AP]
-William Gill, American Broadcasting Company [ABC]
-Pierpoint
-Richard G. Valeriani
Scali
-Conversation with the President
-Appointment
-Ambassadorship to United Nations [UN]
Vietnam negotiations
-Congressional relations
-Mansfield
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Briefing
-Timing
-J. William Fulbright
The President talked with Scali at an unknown time between 11:06 am and 11:42 am.
Vietnam War
-US bombing of North Vietnam
-Reaction
-Appointments
-Letters
-Scali
-Daniel P. (“Pat”) Moynihan
-Cessation north of 20th Parallel
-Announcement
-Warren’s press conference
-Kissinger
-Preparation
-The President’s meeting with Warren, Kennedy
-Warren’s performance
-Scali’s conversation with Kissinger
-54-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Press relations
-Exchange of messages
-Kissinger’s press conference, December 16,
1972
-Christmas 1972
-Press relations
-Hensley
-Shaw of AP
-The President’s demeanor
-Gill
-Resumption of negotiations
-North Vietnam
-Liberals
-Pierpoint
-Attribution to Scali
-Kissinger’s press conference, December 16, 1972
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-North Vietnam’s signal
-The President’s demeanor
-Valeriani
-National Broadcasting Company [NBC]
-Meeting with Scali
-Critics
-Statements
-Kissinger’s concern
-Avoiding “crowing” about victory
-The President’s conversation with Kissinger
-Congressional relations
-Commentators
-Negotiations
-North Vietnam
-Power
-The President’s demeanor
-Realism
-Announcement
-Press relations
-Warren’s press conference
-Scali’s conversation with Valeriani
-Surprise
-55-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Congressional relations
-The President’s decision
-Kissinger
-Necessity
-Negotiations
-North Vietnam’s delays
-Duration
-Effect
-Return of POWs
-Military build up
-Surface to air missiles [SAMs]
-Infiltration rates
-Forthcoming US bombing
-Trucks
th
-Cessation north of 20 Parallel
-Announcement
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Consistancy
-Explanation
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Bombing and mining north of 20th Parallel
-Suspension
-Negotiations
-Resumption
-Ziegler
-Possible Hensley article
-North Vietnam’s delays
-Congressional relations
-Cut off of funds
-Cessation north of 20th Parallel
-Warren’s press conference
-Kissinger’s schedule
-Consultation with the President
-Telephone calls
-Telephone calls
-Richard (“Dick”) Wilson
-William S. White
-Crosby S. Noyes
-Washington Star
-56-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Moynihan
-State Department briefing
-Meeting with scientists
-Washington Post
-Harvard University
-Korologos
-Compared to Timmons
-Morgan, Mailliard, Aiken
-Media relations
-Scali
-The President’s demeanor
-Determination, decisiveness
-Announcement
-Effect
-Walter L. Cronkite, Jr.
-John Chancellor
-David Brinkley
-[Arnold] Eric Sevareid
-New York Times op-ed article
-Demonstration
-Dean Francis Sayre
-Reaction
-Telephone calls
-Washington National Cathedral
-Possible appearance
-Likelihood
-Reaction
-Charles P. Collins, III
-Blind veteran
-John M. O’Neill
-Possible appearance
-Likelihood
-Colson’s possible call to John B. Connally
-Explanation
-The President’s television [TV] appearance
-Advisability
-Press and media relations
-Washington, DC
-North Vietnam
-57-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-08)
Conversation No. 158-40 (cont’d)
-Kissinger’s view
-Self-interest
The President’s schedule
-Call to Kissinger