Ask the Scholar

On May 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Melvin R. Laird talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:27 am and 10:33 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-086 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President talked with Melvin R. Laird. [See Conversation No. 491-20] Laird's health [A transcript of the following portion of this conversation was prepared under court order from December 1978 through March 1979 for Special Access 8, Ronald V. Dellums, et al. v. James M. Powell, et al., No. 71-2271. The National Archives and Records Administration produced this transcript. The National Archives does not guarantee its accuracy.] [End of transcript] Military Command in Panama- Com South - David Packard - Admiral Thomas H. Moorer - Henry A. Kissinger - Laird - Packard's recommendations - US- Latin American relations - Military assistance program - Moorer's views - Gen. William C. Westmoreland - Staffing Military assistance command - Nixon Doctrine - Gen. [Forename unknown] Ignatius Comsouth - Alexander M. Haig, Jr. - Kissinger - State Department - Moorer - Packard - Meeting of Defense leaders - Military assistance - Foreign policy implications - State Department - William P. Rogers - Charles A. Meyer - Forthcoming meeting. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Laird, Melvin R.