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On September 30, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Souvanna Phouma, Prince Khammao, Alex Toumayan, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:38 pm to 4:10 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 582-006 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President met with Souvanna Phouma, Prince Khammao, Alec Toumayan, Alexander M. Haig, Jr.; members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting. [The recording began while the conversation was in progress] Vietnam - Military leaders - North Vietnam - Period after Dien Bien Phu -1962 and 1963 - Situation - Laotian soldiers - Captured North Vietnamese soldiers - Handling - Economy of the North - Bombing - Floods - Hanoi - Red River Delta The President's forthcoming visit to the People's Republic of China [PRC] - Reaction - Effect on Southeast Asia - Great power relationships - Expectations - Differences between the US and the PRC - Rapprochement - Future foreign relations with the PRC US relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR] - Issues - Berlin - Strategic arms limitation - Middle East The President's forthcoming visit to the PRC - Reaction of North Vietnam - Relations between the PRC and North Vietnam - French Colonial rule, North Vietnamese - South Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos - Pathet Lao - Role - Analogy to Central Europe and Moscow - Possible events after end of Vietnam War - The Prime Minister's conversation with the Secretary of State - Thailand and North Vietnam - Pathet Lao - US relations with Asian nations - US Congress - Aid for Laos - US assistance to foreign countries - Proximity to the PRC Relations between the US and Laos - The President's visit to the PRC - USSR -1962 Geneva Accords - US policy - History of Laos The President, Souvanna Phouma et al. left at 4:10 pm. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Phouma, Souvanna; Khammao, Prince; Toumayan, Alex; Haig, Alexander M., Jr.