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TELECON Governor Rockefeller/Mr. Kissinger 9:50 p. m. , April 30, 1970 R: I thought the speech was great. I missed the first part of it because I had to speak at a dinner. I listened to the last 10 minutes in the car. He did a beautiful job. K: It was about 20 minutes altogether. R: I also listened to the commentators, and they were neither too bad nor too good. K: But that is gaining. R: This is fabulous. K: I briefed the press for one hour before the speech. They weren't friendly, but they weren't outraged. One thing that is now clear. We might just as well have gone all the way. R: In what you said or what you did? K: In clobbering North Vietnam. I just had the Russian Charge in he did not have a good time. R: Was he surprised? K: He was not happy. R: You are on the right track. I'll read you the statement I wrote in the car: "The gravity of the world situation has been brought into sharp focus by the President's forthright speech tonight. The President has made a decision that will deeply affect every American. Our prayers will be for success and the rapid achievement of a lasting peace. 11 R: All of my people have written me memos recommending against a statement. K: As the President told you yesterday, he understands your situation and he didn't expect you to say anything. R: I'm trying to be impressionistic -- to respond.