816–3

Conversation No. 816-3

Date: November 29, 1972
Time: 2:52 pm- 5:32 pm
Location: Oval Office
 -2-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

The President met with Henry A. Kissinger.

The President’s forthcoming meeting [with Nguyen Phu Duc and Tran Kim Phuong]

Kissinger’s interview with Oriana Fallaci, November 2 and 4, 1972
-Purpose
-Fallaci’s article on the President
-Italian Ambassador [Egidio Ortona]
-Possible correction
-Influence
-Thesis
-Liberals

Kissinger’s statements about the President
-Solitary methods of work
-Decisions
-Courage
-Appointment of Kissinger
-1968 campaign
-Primaries
-US interest
-Fallaci’s alleged distortions
-Kissinger’s self-aggrandizement
-“Cowboy” question
-John F. Kennedy
-Kissinger’s actual response
-US public opinion
-Movie stars
-Analogy to Gary Cooper in High Noon
-Liberals
-Kissinger’s press relations
-Kissinger’s self-aggrandizement
-Kissinger’s relationship with the President
-Independence

Vietnam negotiations
-The President’s meeting with Duc and Phuong
-Duc’s personality

Kissinger’s interview with Fallaci
 -3-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)


Vietnam negotiations
-The President’s forthcoming meeting with Duc
-Tone
-Message for Nguyen Van Thieu
-Presidential letters
-Settlement agreement
-Time table
-Forthcoming meeting
-Signing
-December 22, 1972
-Announcement
-December 20, 1972
-Negotiations
-December 7, 1972
-South Vietnamese independence
-Alleged split between the President and Kissinger
-State Department
-Consequence
-Delay
-Alexander M .Haig, Jr.’s schedule
-Message delivery to Saigon
-US aid to South Vietnam
-Congressional relations
-Continuation of war
-Congressional relations
-Supplemental defense budget
-Kissinger’s conversation with Caspar W. (“Cap”) Weinberger
-Settlement agreement
-South Vietnamese demands
-North Vietnamese troop withdrawals
-Timing
-Political provisions
-Demilitarized Zone [DMZ]
-Nguyen Van Thieu’s letter
-North Vietnamese Infiltration
-Cambodia
-Laos
-Duc’s personality
 -4-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 2:52 pm.

The President’s forthcoming meeting with Duc and Phuong
-Time

The President’s recent trip to New York
-Play
-The Gentlemen of Verona

The President’s forthcoming meeting with Duc and Phuong
-Timing
-Haig

Bull left at an unknown time before 3:05 pm.

Vietnam negotiations
-Settlement agreement
-North Vietnam
-Problems
-US aid to South Vietnam
-The President’s forthcoming meeting with Duc and Phuong
-Possible leak
-Congressional relations
-Possible articles by William F. Buckley, Jr.
-Kissinger’s recent lunch with Buckley
-View of agreement
-Thieu
-Quality
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-Importance
-US support
-Issue for South Vietnam

Kissinger’s schedule
-Trip to Florida
-Meeting with President
-Length
-Ronald L. Ziegler’s possible press release
-Kissinger’s relationship with the President
-South Vietnamese view
 -5-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)


Vietnam War
-US bombing
-Civilians
-Settlement agreement
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Kissinger’s forthcoming meeting with North Vietnamese
-Purpose
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-Political prisoners
-Changes
-Kissinger’s recent meeting with Anatoliy F. Dobrynin

US-Soviet Union relations
-Kissinger’s recent meeting with Dobrynin
-Embassies accord
-Possible invitation to Tricia Nixon Cox and Edward R. F. Cox to Moscow
-Lunch
-Leonid I. Brezhnev
-North Vietnamese complaint to Soviet Union
-The President’s message
-US bombing
-Timing
-US-Soviet Union summit

Vietnam negotiations
-Settlement agreement
-North Vietnamese
-Dobrynin’s possible role
-Political prisoners

US-Soviet Union relations
-Possible summit
-Brezhnev’s visit to US
-Timing
-Announcement
-Timing
-1973 Inauguration

Haig, Duc, and Phuong entered at 3:05 pm. The White House photographer and members of the
 -6-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

press were present at the beginning of the meeting.

Introduction

Haig’s forthcoming assignment
-US army

Seating

Translator

Photograph session
-Conversation
-Reporters

Kissinger’s schedule

[Photograph session]
-Room temperature
-Lighting

[General conversation]

Zozimo T. Monson entered at an unknown time after 3:05 pm.

Refreshments
-Tea, coffee, Pepsi Cola
-Consumme
-Paris food

Monson left at an unknown time before 5:52 pm.

The President’s welcome

Vietnam negotiations
-Kissinger’s return to Paris, December 3, 1972
-Current status
-The President’s goals
-US-South Vietnamese relations
-The President’s previous efforts
 -7-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Demonstrators
-Congressional opposition
-Political and military fight
-South Vietnamese independence
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-Current status
-US-South Vietnam relations
-South Vietnamese views
-Kissinger’s return to Paris
-The President’s forthcoming meeting with Kissinger, December 1, 1972
-Florida
-The President’s written instructions
-Conflicts with US
-North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam
-Resolution
-Communication
-Beneficiary
-US left wing
-Betrayal allegation by Saigon
-Kissinger’s instructions
-Criticism
-Consequences
-Destruction
-US and South Vietnamese casualties
-US public support
-Sources
-Radio Saigon, media, South Vietnamese government
-The President’s support for government of South Vietnam [GVN] and Thieu
-US press
-Hostility to South Vietnam
-Left wing orientation
-Current meeting
-Exchange of views
-The President’s forthcoming instructions for Kissinger
-Greetings from Thieu
-South Vietnamese gratitude to the President
-Vietnamization
-Effect on South Vietnam
-Strength, self reliance
-North Vietnam’s Spring offensive, March 30, 1972
 -8-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Vietnamization
-Settlement agreement
-North Vietnamese interest
-Thieu’s views
-Instructions to Duc
-Kissinger’s instructions
-Press attacks
-Duc’s wire to Saigon from Paris
-Source
-South Vietnamese government denial
-Saigon Radio reporting
-US press in South Vietnam
-Hostility to South Vietnam
-White House press
-Hostility to South Vietnam
-Press relations
-Need for care
-Predictions of South Vietnam failure
-Support for North Vietnam
-Thieu
-Statements about the President
-Lack of expression and confidence
-Effect
-Hostility to South Vietnam in US
-Hostility to South Vietnam in US
-US-South Vietnam relations
-Conflict between Thieu and the President, Kissinger, Haig
-Private expression compared to public expression
-Radio Hanoi
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-South Vietnam’s response
-Necessity
-Cease-fire
-Preparations
-Thieu’s handling
-Psychological aspect
-Settlement agreement
-Psychological aspect
-Victory claims by North and South Vietnam
-Consequences
 -9-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Thieu
-Public relations [PR] sense
-Tone
-Aid for South Vietnam
-Congressional relations
-Press relations
-Saigon press
-Relationship with GVN
-Purpose of Duc visit
-Informing the President
-Thieu’s recent letter to the President
-Presentation
-Reply to possible questions from the President

[No conversation-The President read Thieu’s recent letter]

Smoking
-The President’s friends
-Kissinger’s habits
-Eating, drinking

[No conversation-The President resumes reading Thieu’s recent letter]

Vietnam negotiations
-Thieu’s recent letter
-The President’s views
-Duc’s conversations with Kissinger in Paris
-Communism
-The President’s approach compared to Thieu’s
-South Vietnam’s interest
-South Vietnamese civilian and military casualties
-Effect on North Vietnam
-The President’s tour of refugee camps in 1956
-South-bound traffic
-Liberation claim
-North Vietnam
-Negotiating stance
-Tone
-Withdrawal of troops
-Political prisoners
 -10-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Vietcong [VC]
-US position
-Tone
-Cease-fire
-Political settlement
-Thieu’s concerns
-Coalition government
-Public statements
-Principle of unanimity
-Veto
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-Thieu’s tenure
-The President’s January 25, 1972 proposals
-North Vietnam’s position
-National Council of Reconciliation and Concord [NCRC]
-Need for unanimous agreement
-Psychological compared to practical effect
-US military and economic aid
-The President’s personal alliance with Thieu
-1972 election
-Thieu’s tenure
-The President’s role
-Responsibility
-The President’s approval of Haig’s and Kissinger’s comments
-Haig’s trip to Saigon
-Kissinger’s trips to Paris
-Written instructions
-Kissinger’s return to Paris
-Substance
-Compared to cosmetics
-Cables
-Secret channels
-Kissinger’s forthcoming meeting with North Vietnamese
in Paris
-Thieu’s changes
-Importance
-Current meeting
-Forthcoming meeting with the President in Florida
-Current meeting
-Thieu
 -11-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Kissinger’s return to Paris
-Forthcoming meeting with North Vietnamese
-Directions
-Authority
-Conversations with South Vietnamese delegation
-Phuong’s schedule
-Progress
-Settlement agreement
-Goals
-US
-South Vietnam
-Independence compared to imposition of communist
government
-Thieu’s recent letter
-Vietnamization
-Success
-South Vietnamese forces’ efforts
-US air support and mining
-Effect on North Vietnamese
-Continuation of war
-Predictions
-North Vietnamese capitulation or withdrawal
-Continuation of war
-The President’s view
-Congressional relations
-Congressional relations
-The President’s recent meetings and conversations with Senators and
Congressmen
-“Hawks”
-Recent votes
-Margins
-93rd Congress
-Settlement agreement
-POWs
-Return
-Timing
-Christmas 1972
-Terms
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Bombing, mining
 -12-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-The President’s January 25, 1972 proposals
-Deadline
-Cut off of funds
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Timing
-1972 election, US-Soviet Union summit
-Cease-fire, return of POWs, South Vietnam
independence
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-South Vietamese resistance
-Congressional relations
-Congress’ power of the purse
-The President’s visits to Vietnam
-South Vietnam
-Visit to Hanoi in 1953
-North Vietnamese government
-Effect on people
-Settlement agreement
-South Vietnamese resistance
-Congressional relations
-Goals
-Cease-fire, return of POWs
-Thieu’s retention
-Commissions
-NCRC
-Thieu’s possible expectation
-The President’s mobilization of public support
-Bombing, mining
-North Vietnamese troop withdrawals from South
Vietnam
-Settlement agreement
-Political provisions
-1954 [Geneva] Accords
-Breaking by Communists
-Quality
-North Vietnamese troop withdrawals from South Vietnam
-Coalition government
-NCRC
-Thieu’s view
-US support
 -13-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Congressional and public support of the President
-Bombing
-Communist violations of agreement
-Commitment
-Current meeting
-South Vietnam acceptance
-Congressional relations
-Appeal for funds
-Timing
-Economic and military aid
-Replacements
-Budget
-Cease-fire
-POWs
-Political provisions
-The President’s commitments to South Vietnamese
-Military and economic assistance
-US bases in Thailand, Philippines
-Possible North Vietnamese violations
-Resumption of bombing
-Support of Thieu
-US influence with Soviet Union, People’s Republic of China
[PRC], and North Vietnam
-Military and economic assistance
-Congress
-Resumption of bombing against North Vietnam
-Instructions for Kissinger
-Cambodia
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-The President’s relationship with Thieu
-Thieu’s stance
-North Vietnamese withdrawal from South Vietnam
-Political provisions
-Role to enemy
-Elections
-NCRC
-Improvement to agreement
-South Vietnamese security
-US support
-Economic and military aid
 -14-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Changes
-US political realities
-Congressional relations
-The President’s possible appearance before joint session, January 4,
1973
-“Doves”
-J. William Fulbright
-Michael J. (“Mike”) Mansfield
-“Hawks”
-John C. Stennis
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Gerald R. Ford
-Recent meeting with the President
-Limits to US support
-Ford’s recent meeting with the President
-Ford’s predictions on Congressional vote
-POWs for withdrawal
-Mood of Congress
-Thieu’s
-Public mood
-1972 election
-The President’s evaluation
-South Vietnam’s survival
-US aid
-Separate peace
-South Vietnamese and US casualties
-US aid
-Congress’ power of the purse
-POWs
-South Vietnam’s and US effort
-Thieu’s position
-The President’s sympathy for South Vietnamese
-1966 visit
-Girl amputee in South Vietnamese hospital
-VC
-US interest
-South Vietnamese resistance
-Congressional relations
-Time table
-Signing
 -15-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-December 22, 1972
-Cut off of funds
-Resolution
-January 3, 1973
-Veto option
-Rider
-POWs
-“Doves” and “hawks”
-The President’s possible meeting with Thieu
-Terms
-Acceptance of settlement
-US and GVN unity
-North Vietnamese violations
-Consequences
-The President’s possible public statement
-US support for South Vietnam
-US public opinion
-George H. Gallup poll
-POWs for withdrawal
-The President’s goals
-Cease-fire
-Political settlement
-Thieu’s retention
-Coalition government
-The President’s opposition
-North Vietnam’s position
-Congress’s power of the purse
-South Vietnamese acceptance
-Kissinger’s return to Paris
-The President’s instructions
-Thieu’s possible statement
-Expression of confidence in the President
-Effect
-Congressional relations
-Economic and military aid
-Funding
-US bombing
-1972 election
-Gallup poll
-Congressional relations
 -16-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Public statements
-US negotiating position
-Thieu
-Time table
-Sheriff metaphor
-The President’s trips to PRC, Soviet Union
-Kissinger’s trips to Paris
-“Doves”
-Meetings with the President
-Mansfield
-Fulbright
-Terms
-Quality
-GVN’s survival
-Correspondence between Thieu and the President
-The President’s goals
-End to war
-Prevention of communist unity
-North Vietnamese acceptance
-Bombing, mining, US resolve
-US economic and military aid
-“Hardware”
-Compared to “software”
-Bombing
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-The President’s view
-1968 bombing halt
-US operations
-Cambodia
-Laos
-Bombing and mining
-US public
-Acceptance
-Support for the President
-South Korea
-Survival
-US troop presence
-US military and economic aid

*********************************************************************
 -17-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
[National Security]
[Subject: Korea]
[Duration: 13s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 4
*********************************************************************

-North Vietnamese infiltration
-Troops in South Vietnam
-Withdrawal
-Possible understandings
-Kissinger
-Risk
-Principles
-South Vietnamese view
-Cease-fire, return of POWs, South Vietnamese
independence
-Presentation as GVN victory
-PR
-North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam
-Political provisions
-North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam
-Importance of issue
-Invasion
-Lack of right
-Provision for withdrawal
-Absence
-Effect on morale of South Vietnamese
military and public
-Effect on post-settlement election
-Freedom of choice of voters
-Elections
-Timing
-Thieu
-Thieu’s approval
-Demobilization
-Paragraph 13
-US support for South Vietnam
 -18-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

Manolo Sanchez entered and left at an unknown time before 5:32 pm.

-Violations
-US response
-Demobilization
-The President’s anti-communism
-Bureaucracy
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-National Security Council [NSC]
-Cambodia and Laos
-Ho Chi Minh Trail
-Laotian settlement
-North Vietnamese Army [NVA] reinforcements in South Vietnam
-Principle denying right to be in South Vietnam
-Proof
-The President’s view
-Notes
-Commitments
-North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam
-US monitoring of agreements
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Empathy for South Vietnamese concerns
-Enforcements
-US intelligence operations
-Thailand
-United Nations [UN]
-International supervisory groups
-Communist participation
-Poland
-US intelligence operations

*********************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 8
[National Security]
[Subject: Intelligence]
[Duration: 7s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 8
*********************************************************************
 -19-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Thailand
-Troop movements
-Size
-Bombing
-Arms shipments
-Tanks
-Quang Tri
-Soviet Union
-Ho Chi Minh Trail
-Tanks
-Number
-Troop movements
-Joint intelligence
-Military aides

*********************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9
[National Security]
[Subject: Intelligence]
[Duration: 16 s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9
*********************************************************************

-Violations
-US retaliation
-Justifications
-Compared to 1955
-DMZ
-Cambodia, Laos neutrality
-Cease-fire
-Prohibition of reinforcements
-US meeting with North Vietnamese allies
-Costs for North Vietnamese
-South Vietnam’s military performance
-Haig’s view
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Bombing and mining
-North Vietnam
-Claim of right to be in South Vietnam
 -20-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Denial
-Priniciples
-Compared to Shanghai Communique and Manila
Proclamation
-Tone
-Withdrawal of non-South Vietnamese troops
-US troops
-Foreign troops
-Armed forces remaining within national borders
-South Vietnamese confidence and morale
-Specific reference to North Vietnamese troops
-Saigon’s changes
-Kissinger’s meeting with North Vietnam
-Principle
-Armed forces remaining within national borders
-Hanoi’s position
-Denial of presence of North Vietnamese in
South Vietnam
-Time spent on issue
-Disclaim of right to use force
-“Software” compared to “hardware” (steel and bombs)
-Importance
-Interpretations
-US-South Vietnam agreement
-The President’s forthcoming meeting with Thieu
-Impact on Hanoi, Soviet Union, PRC, South Vietnamese
people
-Timing
-Failure of past summits
-The President’s conversation with Dobrynin
-Camp David, Genevea, Vienna
-Kennedy
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
-Johnson
-Glassboro
-Reason
-Reasons
-US-South Vietnam relations
-The President’s concerns
-Thieu’s letter to the President
 -21-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-The President’s instructions to Kissinger
-Congressional relations
-Reconvening date
-January 3, 1973
-Cut off funds
-“Hawks”
-October 8, 1972 agreement
-Possible communist violation
-Terms
-POWs
-Cease-fire
-Thieu’s retention
-South Vietnam (GVN)
-South Vietnamese independence
-Phrasing
-Mysticism
-The President’s Quaker background
-Responses to violations
-US military aid to South Vietnam
-Breakdown
-Responsibility of Thieu and the President
-South Vietnamese defeat
-Aid to North Vietnam
-Congressional relations
-US withdrawal from war
-US-South Vietnam relations
-The President’s frankness
-Mutual sacrifices
-The President’s commitment of support
-Economic and military aid
-Resumption of bombing
-North Vietnamese violations
-Conditions
-Congressional relations
-POWs
-POWs
-Thieu’s recent letter
-Release of North Vietnamese political prisoners
-US POWs
-Issue in US
 -22-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Continuation of US military operations
-Thieu
-Bombing, mining
-Pressure on North Vietnamese
-Limitations
-Congressional relations
-Cut off of funds
-Deadline
-January 13, 1973
-Hearing
-Vote
-Public reaction
-Support from “hawks”
-Speeches
-GVN
-Army of the Republic of Vietnam [ARVN]
-Press relations
-The President’s recent meeting with Ford
-Ford’s identity
-Republican leader of House of Representatives
-Cease-fire, return of POWs
-Thieu’s retention, control of political process
-The President’ support
-Resumption of bombing
-Thieu’s and Duc’s point of view
-US political realities
-The President’s commitment
-The President’s commitment
-Aid, bombing
-Limitations
-Need for public support
-Congressional reaction to Thieu’s resistance
-Cut off of aid
-Thieu’s resistance
-Continuation of war
-Bombing
-Congressional relations
-Cut off of funds
-Duration
-US public reaction
 -23-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Impact on Congress
-North Vietnamese positions
-POWs
-Cease-fire
-GVN
-Elections
-Veto
-Past unreasonableness
-Seven points of 1971
-Troop withdrawal for POWs
-Request for Thieu overthrow
-The President’s position
-Support for GVN
-Television appearances
-Number
-North Vietnamese demand
-Imposition of communist government on South Vietnam
-Thieu’s recent letter
-Agreement language
-US threat against North Vietnam
-NVA in South Vietnam
-Possible language changes
-“South Vietnamese armed forces”
-Cease-fire
-Principle

Bull entered at an unknown time after 3:05 p.m.

The President’s schedule
-Forthcoming meeting with black administration officials
-Delay
-John D. Ehrlichman

Bull left at an unknown time before 5:32 pm.

Vietnam negotiations
-Settlement agreement
-South Vietnamese meetings with Kissinger
-Timing
-Meetings with the President
 -24-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-The President’s schedule
-Cabinet
-Joint Chiefs of Staff [JCS]
-Kissinger’s role in negotiations
-Performances as the President’s spokesman
-Qualities as negotiator
-Tenacity
-PRC, Soviet Union
-Adherence to the President’s views
-Instructions
-Support for South Vietnam
-NVA in South Vietnam
-Claim of right to remain in South Vietnam
-NCRC
-Non-governmental functions
-Foreign, economic policies, district governments
-State Department
-Thieu’s tenure
-The President’s support for Thieu
-Thieu’s retention
-Foreign, economic policies
-Thieu
-The President’s role
-Demobilization
-Terminology
-Description of organization, structure
-Briefing
-“Coalition government,” “structure of power”
-US lawyers, ambassadors
-Political aspects
-1972 election
-US-South Vietnam agreement
-Effect on world, North Vietnam, Soviet Union, PRC,
South Vietnam
-The President’s possible meeting with Thieu
-Timing
-Christmas, New Year’s Day
-1973 Inauguration
-State of the Union address, Inaugural
address, budget
 -25-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Symbolism
-Press relations
-“Administrative”
-Removal
-Components
-Terminology
-Government
-Compared to commission
-Terminology
-Forthcoming explanation
-US support
-Thieu’s relationship with the President
-Press relations
-Public statements
-Compromises
-Unconditional surrender by North Vietnam
-The President’s counterfactual actions
-Military action
-Bombing
-Landing in Haiphong area
-GVN’s strength
-ARVN
-Air force
-Economy
-Role in Southeast Asia
-US support
-Comparison with Cambodia and Laos
-Vietnamese people
-Working ability
-Fighting ability
-Bravery
-US support for GVN
-Economic and military aid
-South Vietnamese resistance
-Congressional relations
-1972 election
-Senate losses
-House of Representatives gains
-Ford
-US-South Vietnam agreement
 -26-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-The President’s possible meeting with Thieu
-Timing
-Disagreement
-Effect
-US-South Vietnam relations
-Congressional relations

-US military action
-1965
-Escalation
-Peace
-Johnson’s views
-Johnson’s meeting with the President
-Bombing
-The President’s view
-The President’s 1965 trip to South Vietnam
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-Mining
-Soviet Union protest
-Kissinger’s recent threat to North Vietnamese in Paris
-The President’s instructions
-Bombing resumption
-Compared to the President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-US-Soviet Union summit
-US-South Vietnam relations
-Thieu’s instructions
-Hanoi’s view
-Saigon’s “satellite” status

Bull entered at an unknown time after 3:05 pm.


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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

The President’s schedule
-Dr. W. Kenneth Riland
-Cancellation of appointment

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
 -27-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

*****************************************************************


Bull left at an unknown time before 5:32 pm.

Vietnam negotiations
-Settlement agreement
-US-South Vietnam relations
-Division of issues
-Military
-US
-Political
-South Vietnam
-Thieu’s recent letter
-Timing
-Kissinger’s return to Paris
-Goals
-The President’s May 8, 1972 decision
-The President’s January 25, 1972 proposals
-Kissinger’s forthcoming meeting with Duc
-Recent meetings
-North Vietnamese posture
-US strategy
-Changes
-The President’s opposition
-Political settlement
-Issue of imposition by US on South Vietnam
-Implementation
-Thieu, Duc, Phuong
-US support
-North Vietnam
-Troops
-Psychological factors
-Psychological factors
-US-South Vietnam unity
-Congressional relations
-Funding
-Economic and military aid
-US public support
-Thieu
 -28-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

-Opposition
-US Congressional and public reaction
-Cut off of funds
-South Vietnamese meetings with Kissinger
-The President’s decision
-Thieu’s recent letter
-Points
-NVA withdrawal from South Vietnam
-The President’s recent meeting with Kissinger in Camp David
-The President’s forthcoming meeting with Kissinger in Key Biscayne
-Review of Kissinger-South Vietnam discussions
-The President’s instructions
-Thieu’s gratitude
-South Vietnam
-Political conditions
-PR
-US-Asia policy
-Post-World War II period
-PRC
-Vietnam
-NVA withdrawals from South Vietnam
-Manila Proclamation
-Simultaneous withdrawals
-Principle
-Terminology
-NCRC
-Coalition government
-Component government
-Description of structure
-Necessity
-US support
-Economic and military aid
-US military response to North Vietnamese violations
-PRC
-US influence
-Extent
-Normalization process
-Shanghai Communique
-Renunciation of expansionism
 -29-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 816-3 (cont’d)

Well wishes

Kissinger’s schedule
-Forthcoming meeting with Duc and Phuong

Kissinger, Duc, Phuong and Haig left at 5:32 pm.

Bull entered and left at 5:32 pm.