885–6

Conversation No. 885-6
Date: March 20, 1973
Time: Unknown between 5:45 pm and 5:59 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft.
 -13-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept. 2010)
Conversation No. 885-6 (cont’d)




Vietnam settlement
-Infiltration from North Vietnam
-US responses
-Provocation
-Reduction
-Reasons
-Seasonal weather
-Annual rate
-Effect of cease fire
-Decline
-US message from Henry A. Kissinger
-Delays
-Signals
-Laos
-G. McMurtrie Godley
-New government
-Formation date
-Prisoners of war [POW] release
-Timing
-Provisional Revolutionary Government [PRG] statement
-Air strike
-Effect
-Kissinger's opinion
-Second thoughts
-Laos negotiations
-Godley's statement
-Air Strikes
-North Vietnam’s reactions
-POW release
-Air strikes
-Timing
-POW release
-Effectiveness
-POW release
-Public support
-Cease-fire
-Laos
 -14-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept. 2010)
Conversation No. 885-6 (cont’d)



-Congressional Objections
-South Vietnam
-Cambodia
-Laos
-Infiltration from North Vietnam
-Public and Congressional resistance
-Value
-Symbolism
-Military Effect
-Timing
-POW release
-Public objections
-Laos
-Purpose
-Congressional and public reaction
-End of war
-Perception of escalation
-Kissinger
-December 1972 bombing
-POWs
-Settlement agreement
-Guarantee for settlement
-Promise to Nguyen Van Thieu
-South Vietnams capabilities
-Air Force
-North Vietnam testing
-US reaction
-Deterrence

Kissinger
-Return From Trip

Vietnam settlement
-US responses
Second thoughts

Scowcroft left at 5:59 pm.
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Sept. 2010)
Conversation No. 885-7 (cont’d)