719–2

Conversation No. 719-2

Date: May 4, 1972
Time: 8:45 am - 8:57 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

Greetings

Vietnam
-Morning report
-North Vietnam offensive
-Maj. Gen. Ngo Quang Truong
-IV corps
-Shakeup of command
-News reports
-United Press International [UPI] reporter
-Sydney Schanberg
-Air strikes
-Effectiveness
-Damage assessment
-Duong Hoi
-Quang Tri
-Details
-Merger of divisions
-Losses
-Hue area
 2

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Jan-02)
Conv. No. 719-2 (cont.)

-South Vietnam perimeter
-Consolidation of forces
-Effects
-Cavalry squadron
-South Vietnam marines
-Mobile reserve
-2nd Army of the Republic of Vietnam [ARVN] division
-Airborne division
-ARVN counterattack
-A South Vietnamese general
-Brigade in Kontum
-Problems
-B-52 strikes
-III corps
-ARVN movements
-An loc
-Fighting
-Phouc Long (sp?)
-US retaliation
-Air strikes
-North Vietnam losses
-Naval gunfire
-Effectiveness
-Air operations
-Damage in North Vietnam
-Reports on air action
-A news report
-Public information officer [PIO] problems
-Source
-Anti-Americanism in South Vietnam
-Washington Star
-Article
-UPI
-[Forename unknown] Ward (?)
-I Corps
-Military action
-Hue area
-Symbolism
-Comparison with Verdun, Stalingrad
-Importance
-Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Jr.
-Haig's conversation with Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
 3

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Jan-02)
Conv. No. 719-2 (cont.)

-Compared with Kontum
-Firepower to be used
-South Vietnam counteroffensive
-Real problems
-Hue
-Importance
-Air strikes
-Tactical air [TACAIR]
-Night attacks
-PIO problems
-Reports
-\"Hawks\"
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Haig's previous meeting
-Samuel L. Devine's group
-Edward J. Derwinski
-Haig’s view
-Statements
-Need for support
-Criticism

Haig left at 8:57 am.