Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 14
Pluse THE WHITE HOUSE THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN WASHINGTON April 9, 1972. MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT FROM: BILL SAFIRE SUBJECT: Vietnam Speech The attached draft, approved by Kissinger, covers the points relayed to me by Haldeman and adds: 1. an analysis of what the Communist objectives are in this military offensive. By setting their objectives high (cutting country in half, taking Saigon, driving deep down from North), we can better point to their lack of success. If we do not do this, the capture of a couple of cities will be heralded as the defeat of Vietnamization. 2. a map. Folks do not know what is going on; in a matter-of-fact report to the people on Vietnam, use of a map would be helpful. Note: Henry wantsto think over whether or not we spell out how many Communist troops are attacking. 3. a downplay of the word "invasion. 11 I use "offensive" and "attack" if you decide to go with invasion, the speech would be tougher but might be slightly more worrisome. CC: Henry Kissinger Ray Price