Ask the Scholar
Page 39 of 39
I can add historical knowledge about this page.
Page image
OCR
TELCON
The President
Mr. Kissinger
9:25 a. m., 4-29-70
P:
What is the report?
K:
They are in Cambodia and the South Vietnamese Defense
Ministry has confirmed in a low key statement.
P:
Are we saying nothing?
K:
I thought we would go with what you said yesterday.
P:
I wouldn't do it until it builds a bit during the day and I don't
mean just one question. Let it build a while so that it does not
appear that we are anxious.
K:
We were trying to delay getting them to make an announcement
but the South Vietnamese thought they had to make an announcement.
P:
What did they say?
K:
(HAK read ticker to the President). So far it has not built up
much yet. As it does we can come back to you with our judgments.
P:
My hunch was correct. It is no use making a great big announce-
ment right off. It is clear the press has no idea about what we
have in mind.
K:
And the South Vietnamese barred the press from the area.
P:
The press here thinks we are only giving aid to Cambodia and
keep it that way.
K:
When will you make your speech?
P:
We will hold that until this builds up. Do you have any other
reason?
K:
No. We should wait until we are pressed. If we can get through
today without making the DOD press statement, then tomorrow
we can refer to your speech and make no statement at all.
P:
I will get Ziegler in and tell him.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
- -2-
K:
But the operation seems to be working well.
P:
They have started moving from both sides?
K:
Yes.
P:
I guess they will get into their fighting in three or four days.
K:
Yes, if they fight, but they might withdraw but we will get
their caches.
P:
If we pull this off, they can take the other two.
K:
Then we can point them to other bases in South Vietnam. And
that I think would really precipitate the conclusion. I sent
you another draft.
P:
I saw it. I am going to work today on it. Alright, we will hold
DOD on that announcement until they get word from us.
K:
Right, Mr. President.
P:
I am not sure but in view of this we might be able to let our
own go.
K:
You mean not make our statement -- without being asked.
P:
No, the COSVN operation -- let it ride for a day.
K:
You mean wait until Friday. That thing will blow immediately.
P:
That will go approximately two hours before I speak.
K:
I think there will be so many reports that there will be great
alarm unless you have spoken.
P:
To the great credit of the South Vietnamese they keep the press
out.
K:
Not a good story in the American press either.
P:
No, the South Vietnamese don't want to build the Americans
up. You can even say when you give total operations that it is
more South Vietnamese than Americans. You add Parrot's
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
-3-
Beak and what SVN they have on the other one and you have a
lot more than Americans. Alright, as far as operations on
the other thing, they are all set, are they?
K:
Yes, I am having a meeting of the Planning Group and we will
meet probably twice a day until the thing is done. It may
take just 15 minutes but so that everyone will know what is
going on.
P:
That is a good idea. It will keep a good hard offensive line
in our statements and we should be affirmative.
K:
If we go in with a few thousand Americans to clean out 40, 000
VC troops -- (President interrupted here)
P:
We can work it - base areas, some supplies, some captures
are damned important. I realize it will take four or five
days before we start getting anything. Alright Henry.
mlh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Laird/Kissinger
12:37 pm
4/29/70
L: I think everything started out well. Did you have the last briefing on that?
"
K: I had one at 10:00.
L: I had a later one and Bill just left here.
K: How is it going?
L: Very good. The initial reports -- 350 killed already.
K: Do you believe that?
L: I never believe the initial reports. They've found substantial oxbax caches.
K: We want those photographed.
L: You can rely on the third report. I'm going ahead on an execute on those
routes 1032/1036/1039. They will go on Thurs. night.
K: I think we should hold them to 48 hours.
L: Try to get them to go Thurs. night.
K: That's what the Presi dent wants.
L: This is a plan which I had here on my desk based on CIA intelligence. We
are set on that. I told Bill about this plan and he has no objections and he will
not tell anybody else -- not even at State.
K: We appreciate how you are pulling.
L: We are getting heat to read the statement on TV. We haven't allowed that to
be done. The networks are raising hell.
K: Our feeling is to play it low key. Not to read it.
L: They might make more out of it.
K: We have announced a Presidential speech.
L: Good. We will go along and not let them read it.
K: You have put it out.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Laird/Kissinger
12:37 pm 4/29/70
-2-
LYes
XII
The networks want to know why we refuse to read it.
K: Let me check with Haldeman and Zeigler.
L: They will just say Defense refused to read it.
K: So what?
L: Exactly.
K: We are almost as much hell for this as we will later.
L: Anything else?
K: No, the President has gone off to wo his speech.
L: I have that interview of last Thursday with U.S. News and World Report.
I think you should see it and give me your ideas. I have to return it today.
K: Send it over.
L: I think I should change what I said on Cambodia.
K: I don't know, I haven't seen it. The President would like you, Bill,
and Gen. Wheeler over klexix here tomorrow.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Flanigan/Kissinger
12:58
pm
4/29/70
F: Is it true that you are implementing the foreign policy of the U.S. to help
your holdings? The stock holdings when up until your Cambodian thing hit the
news. The break
is beyond 1929. They (a group of brokers (?) Flanigan
had just met with) XX are convinced there will be a falling
. South
East Asia is their greatest concern. People have lost confidence and the time
frame is different than previously. On fellow read about arms to Cambodia and
expressed the opinion that he hoped we wouldn't do that.
K: Business people are idiots.
F: You will take professors for them?
K: We are unfortunately in a position that leadership is bankrupt.
F: Whatever the draft, you should have this in mind. The best will be to say that
this will not increase the budget.
K: I appreciate it but this one has to be played hard if it's going to be played
at all.
F: All right. I passed this problem on to the President.
K: He is doing mose of the drafting. He is. I am not passing the buck. After
this I may become too controversial and you may be rid of me. He is really
shooting the works.
F: I am glad to be helping a guy that's that kind of President.
K: It's one of the gutsiest moves I have ever seen.
F: You are convinced we are right?
K:??????????
F: We are close to winning. But this is a very clever move on their part because
it shows they know more about what we are doing than we think. They thing
the Foreign Affairs Committee will influence it. This is a last-ditch effort.
K: I didn't want to announce the speech before 4:00. Then Fulbright started
pumping off. We didn't want to look like we were announcing a speech in answer
to a crescendo of press inquiries. We didn't think about the stokk market.
F: I think in a general memo I am doing on the market, I will mention this
about announcements.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Sen. Griffing/Kissinger
1:10 pm
4/29/70
K: The President asked me to call you before the end of the meeting to give you
a feel for what is going on. He is going on TV tomorrow night and will give the
whole thing. This is not in response to Lon Nol's request. This is in terms of
impact operations in Cambodia have XXXXXXIX or are likely to have on the VN program
It's an attack on a base area 35 miles from Saigon in which they have already
uncovered large caches which has been occupied by VN for the last month. The
ground troops are all SVN. We have not used tactical air support yet. That's
a last resort. We are in support of SVN operation. If you look at the map you
will see that this finger goes right into SVN.
G: The Parrot's Beak, I think it's called.
K: The troops will be withdrawn as soon as the caches are taken out. It's
not expected to be a long operation. We estimate a two week to xxx 10 days.
That's strictly for your information. You can say a "high govt. source indicated
will be of short duration.
G: Is there anything regarding (?) the Cambodians? Is it cleared with Cambodia ?
K: Again the facts are we don't want the Cambdoians to say they cleared it
because they don't want to be NSED accused of betraying their territory. They
will say that NVN took this territory and they don't know what is going on in it.
We would appreciate some support.
G: What I thought I would do I will go up today and say something. The
Senate is not in session but we can
K: If you would line up our troops to answer Fulbright. Put it in terms of
support of our efforts in SVN.
G: We will be pressed on advisors. Can you tell me anything about that?
To the South Vietnamese.
K: Not further down then battalion level. Don't quote me but the last x figure
I saw was 50. These are the same men who are generally with them, fighting
under our training program.
G: If they ask what's next
K: The President will announce tommorrow. He wanted you to know. This puts
puts us in a delicate position. Don't mention the length of the operation unless
you say on highest authority they will be of short duration. 40, 000 NVN are in
Cambodia and going into SVN. They have been attacking U.S. forces and now
they will attack also Cambodians.( A or from Cambodia). A new security
problem for our forces in SVN. We don't feel we have to be apologetic.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Sen. Griffin/Kissinger
1:10 pm 4/29/70
-2-
G: OK
K: You can be sure when I call you it's an SOB.
G: I'm glad you did because we were not consulted or notified and I didn't want
to be in that position.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Gerard Smith/Kissinger
1:55 pm
4/29/70
(call on the secure phone from Vienna SALT talks)
K: You are not telling me you have asseed agreemen?
S: No, not yet. I want to talk about #39. I understand there was a backstopping
meeting that it was decided not to go with the line we recommended. Bill
says that if Laird would agree we could go on theixx our recommendation.
Nitze has tried to talk to Laird. Tucker has been persuaded that our position
is correct in 39. I think it's consistent with the NSDM.
K: Youwant our approval here? We are the only missing link here? You
need our clearance?
S: That's my understanding I have Bill's endorsement and Nitze has
persuaded Tucker. Larry Lynn is the only one LXCX in the trio.
K: What's the issue? I have been working on another matter this week.
S: Whether to
the bomber trade off or use that as a hold
back position. Not to present it the first day. If we present bombers trade
off on the first day, we have no distinction between them and missiles.
K: When do you need to know?
S: It's 7:00 now. We can work through the night.
K: I will be back in Anything an hour or I will have Sonnenfeldt call. My inclination
is to go with you. Nathing that Nitze and Smith want I should get out of the
way. I have seen more Talmudic studies from Defense then I thought possible.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Gov. Rockefeller/Kissinger
3:00 pm
4/29/70
R: I keep thinking of you every day as I read the paper.
K: The troops are XIIX not exactly marching behind me. But the dye is cast.
R: Great.
K: I will talk more about it with you tomorrow.
R: My good friend who you don't know Therhus (sp? ) -- he is crazy about
the AID man there who is tops and he is being transferred after one year,
because he is too friendly, I guess. His name is David Lacida (sp?). Everyone
loves him and they are pulling him out for VN. If it would help, I could call
Hanna.
K: Do that and I will work on my end. Let's work it on both sides. You
won't be down this week? Are you reachable tomorrow? The President is going
to be giving a talk on Cambodia. The stock market just fell 12 points. I hate
to do this in election hear but we could use some support.
R: My feeling is that the picture is inseperable. I will be here in NY all day.
K: I will call you and give you a pre-view.
R: I had a good talk with the fellow on the advisory Committee.
K: Cohn? Watts muffed that up. He was to be let go in a few months.
Adderson was to do that. But Watts tried to get some points.
R: I said you knew nothing about it and it was done in your absence and that
you were disturbed and after this crisis you would like to help him find something
else.
K: You are a great friend. I don't need someone like this shooting at my back.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Secretary Richardson
Mr. Kissinger
7:00 pm, 4-29-70
R:
Hello Henry.
K:
Elliot, how are you?
R:
How are you:
K:
I am doing fine.
R:
You have had a busy time.
K:
Without the restraining influence of these Thursday lunches -
this is what happens when you go out of town.
R:
The reason I called you is I got a call from Brownie Reed
who has put in an amendment to dissent authorization bill
which adds a section like Church amendment regarding the
introduction of troops into Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
I was going to call him and say why don't you listen to the
President's speech.
K:
He ought to talk to Harlow and we ought to try to stop it. We
can't have this voted on until after the President's speech.
Unless we think it will be defeated.
(Reed?)
R:
He/had thought Arends may have talked to Harlow already.
I tried to get Harlow and he has gone to some Congressional
dinner. Maybe you would want to get him and have the vote
put over.
K:
As long as these things have to be done, they have to be done
confidently. The people who charge us with immorality won't
love us anymore if we turn out to be incompetent.
R:
Since I don't really know what is in issue, I don't know what'
impact of it can be. He (Reed) said in effect that he does not
and would make clear that this was not intended to make use of
U.S. air, artillery or advisers.
K:
Well, let me see if I can find Harlow.
R:
Okay.
(Note: Mr. Kissinger did later reach Mr. Harlow but talked
to him while he (Kissinger) was in Mr. Haldeman's Office)
mlh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Pat Buchanan
Mr. Kissinger
8:00 p.m., 4-29-70
K:
How is the bloody hawk doing? Don't wave that bloody shirt.
Just make it tough and implacable.
B:
Okay Henry.
K:
Can you burn me a copy of it so that I can look it over.
When will you have it done?
:
B:
I will have it done by 9:00.
The President wants it by 9:00.
K:
Can you get me one too? It would help me gain a half hour
of focusing my thoughts.
B:
Okay, will do.
mlh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
N. Rockefeller/Kissinger
10:30 pm
4/29/70
K: I need a little help. Call the President and give him a little courage.
Tell him your heart goès out to him. You don't know what's going on.
R: Fine. Can I call him now?
K: Try. We Say you were coming in from a political rally or something and
say you were thinking of him. Will you call me back if you reach him?
R: I will call you on this number.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
The President
4/29/70; 10:45 p.m.
K: Mr. President, sorry to bother you. Rockefeller just called and
talked to Dwight and said he just came back from a political meeting
and wanted to report to you that your friends there were with you and
so Dwight put him on the line to me so I should tell you and see if you
wanted to talk to him.
P: I will talk to him. The draft will be up to you at 11:00.
K: As soon as I read it I will call you.
P: Right, and I will talk to Rockefeller.
ms
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Haldeman
4/29/70; 11:15 p.m.
K: I just found out the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled
an Executive Session on Cambodia tomorrow. Did you know that?
H: Yes, we knew about 5:00 today.
K: Somebody should call Rogers. He can get that called off. These guys
wouldn't hold sessions ahead of time unless somebody got them steamed up.
H: They are steamed up.
K: How do they know what the President is going to say?
H: They don't. But you can make a case here both ways.
K: At any rate we should get him to call them.
H: Right.
K: To wait with their hearing until after the President has spoken.
H: I think that's a good idea.
K: It's better if it comes from you.
H: We have a problem in the House too in that there they are pushing for
a resolution. The Senate cannot come out with anything because they are
in Executive Session, but the House can come out with saying you can't
do anything in Cambodia.
K: They can turn off the aid.
H: Somebody is calling for impeachment of the President tonight.
K: Who is that?
H: I don't know. I tuned in late to the news.
K: The excitement is SO far out of proportion to anything we have ever had
before.
H: As soon as you move the men into Cambodia you have expanded it out
of Vietnam. That is going to get the frothing at the mouth and it did.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
-2-
K: The main thing is to get the character on the firing line.
H: Yes, and that's a good idea.
K: I am just waiting for the new draft of the speech.
H: Is he still up?
K: Yes.
H: Damn. What did you do with Rockefeller?
K: I put him through. I thought it might be a good morale booster.
H: Did the President talk to him?
K: Yes. I haven't talked to him since. Rockefeller just wanted
him to know that he was behind him.
H: Good for him.
ms
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
President/Kissinger
9:45 am
4/30/70
K: I just wanted to let you know Sen. Stennis called. He is behind you and he
will speak on the floor today. He will try to get some others to speak. He
asked me to inform him if there's anything on military aid.
P; The speech is clever because it doesn't say anything about aid. It's just
support. When will it be ready?
K: It's being typed now.
P: 1:00 is my deadline.
K: I will have it to you in half an hour.
P: Call in Jos. Alsop and wee what he thinks. And see what his reactions
are. Put in how tough the decision is. What I say about the other President's'
position also. Everybody was supporting them.
K: The people have supported you more than the leaders.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Governor Dewey
4/30/70 9;50 a. m.
D: I just wanted to report to you that my two partners, who are sick of
this war and want out, think you did the only possible thing. The Polish han-
dyman came in to me and only said why didn't we do it sooner? My Jewish
secretary, who's been with me for 36 years, said it's wonderful. What's the
matter with Senator Fulbright he must hate his country. That's just a cross-
section of the people I've talked with this morning.
K: Ybu couldn't have called at a better time.
D: One other thing. If you get a chance
The President has a habit
of calling me after making a speech. I wish you would tell him that I'm mad-
der than hell that I won't be able to hear the speech tonight. I have a long-
standing commitment to go to the theater with some friends. It's embarassing
if he calls me and I have to say I haven't heard the speech. But I'll read it in
the morning paper.
K: Fine, I'll tell him that, and let him know about this call.
D: Are you feeling fubbe buffetted?
K: No, not really. Small problems are more irritating than big ones.
D: Teddy Kennedy must feel like th luckiest man in the world to have
this going on now. Nobody is noticing.
K: But he was on the front page.
D: Everybody has got his problems.
K: But I'd rather have ours than his.
D:
Yes.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Bryce Harlow
4/30/70 9:50 a.m.
H: On this amendment in the House, we may have a critical situation.
I just read the text of. Maybe we can relax, but I wanted to check with you
to see if you think we can relax. It says "
no funds can be used for
American ground combat troops
"
Can we buy that?
K: No, because, for your information, we are going to introduce some
troops tonight.
H: Oh, okay.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
The President
Mr. Kissinger
9:55 a. m., 4-30-70
K:
Mr. President, Dewey just called. He rode to work with his
two partners. He got an entirely different reaction than he
expected. They were enormously relieved. They said "thank
goodness something is being done. " His secretary said, "isn't
it good that something is being done by the country. " He said
he was so stunned by this reaction. He told me yesterday that
he thought his law partners would go into orbit and the
opposite is happening.
P:
Well, I will tell you, they will never hear a speech like this one.
I have made some changes to it also. I will get Rose in and
give them to her.
K:
I will have the speech up to you by 10:30.
P:
OK. Ask Rose to come over, will you.
K:
Yes, Mr. President.
mlh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
The President
4/30/70 9:58 a. m.
K: Mr. President, Dewey just called and said he rode in to work with
his partners this morning whom he told me were doves and this would make
them climb the wall. He said, on the contrary, they were immensele re-
lieved; they said thank God we³re going something. Dewey's secretary said
what's the matter with Fulbright-- he must hate his country; his handyman
said why didn't we do it sooner
P: They're saying this on the basis of
K: On the basis of the news report.
P: which doesn't indicate what we are going to do.
K: Yes, but his law partners, who are doves, were relieved.
P: Well, they re never going to hear a speech tike this one.
K: I'll be over with it in an hour, the first pages in half an hour.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
President Johnson
4/30/60 10:06 a.m.
K: Mr. President, I wanted to call you to tell you what the President
is going to announce tonight, only for your information, of course. That we
are authorizing American forees to move into the Cambodian senctuaries
and clean them out, and take whatever other action incessary to end the
war. We won't recognize privileged aanctuaries if the Nietnamese actions
there continue.
PJ: I'll look forward with great interest to it and I know everyone will
look with great interest. I gather there's no chance of their standing up
without help?
K: In Cambodia?
PJ: Yes.
K: No, they're in the same condition there as the army on Laos, if you
know what that means. We concluded that Vietnamization was bound to fail
if we held still. We therefore decided to take that action.
PJ: I'll listen to it and be back in touch with you, and I'm grateful for
your call.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Amb. Freeman/Kissinger
10:35 am
4/30/70
F: I am doing something I have never done before. I gather that the Preisdent
has a bad press in London for the events bxhax which are taking place. You
have once or twice given me an advance thing -- but never at my request,
always at your suggestion. But my master might be relieved if I could give
them something before the President speaks this evening.
K: I'm not authorized to do that but I think the President would agree. When?
F: The earlier the better but whenever you say.
K: Let's aim for about 4:00 or 4:30.
F: Why don't you call and confirm the time.
K: What does the British press want us to do?
F: I'm not sure but the line seems to be moving away from political consideration
and towards escalation. I'm concerned about keeping my government
on an even keel.
K: I had hoped to do something about seeing you after. There isn't much
your government can do. So it doesn't make any difference when.
F: No, but I think it would be good to be able to say you have talked with us.
K: I have an extremely hectic day. If you could come over at short notice,
I will be sure to have half an hour with you.
F: I can be there on 15 mins. notice during the day.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Bob Haldeman
Mr. Kissinger
12:25 pm, 4-30-70
K:
Everything is okay. We are putting in final. He is
getting quite emotional about it.
H:
Anything we can do to help? Do you need any
tranquilizers?
K:
No, I just finished a bottle. You can send out for a
new bottle.
H:
OK Henry.
mlh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Rose Woods
Mr. Kissinger
1:35 pm, 4-30-70
W:
We are talking about troops and promise to bring men home.
Do you want the 150, 000 figure in?
K:
No, that is out.
W:
Okay.
K:
Will you make a xerox for me?
W:
Yes.
mlh
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Prof. Gaæubard/Kissinger
afternoon
4/30/70
G: I am coming to Washington next Wed. Could I see you? If I come Tues.
night could I see you for dinner? Or if I stayed over on Thurs. ?
K: Are you going to the Harvard Club of Washington dinner next Wed. ?
G: No.
K: On Tues. How boring can X my life get! $ have to go to the Chilean
Amb. 's for a dinner for the French Amb. The Chilean is delightful but
you know the Frenchman as well as I. I can't make dinner either night.
I can't do Tues. lunch. How about Thurs. ? I will switch Richardson.
G: Is it a good speech?
K: It's for you to say. Just don't burn down the university. It's necessary.
G: It's not a speech written without your agreement?
K: I don't provide a x check list. Come to my office on Thurs. at 1:00 and
we will see if I can get to the Metropolitàm club.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Governor Rockefeller
4/30/70 4:05 p.m.
K: I want to tell you where we stand. We are going tonight into
the headquarters of the North Vietnamese operation along the Cambod-
ian frontier, Thex the one from which they are attacking the nerve
center. We are going with Vietnamese and some American airborne.
We will get their attention. They are being
bombed right now as a matter of fact. And there will be bombing
in the douthern part of the north. And it's going to be a stem-winder
of a speech.
R: Great!
K: You don't act like a candidate, Nelson. He's going to tell
them the war has got to end. Say we've done everything, and this
situation is intolerable.
R: Great!
K: It's a tough speech. Much tougher than November 3. IX
R: Well, it ought to be.
K: He lists all the things we've done, and then says the answer has
been
[K read from the speech draft] and then he makes another of
his tough warnings. He says this action is to put the leaders of North
Vietnam on notice.
R: Is he ready to go on with this?
K: This afternoon he is. He's got only two choices: to go on or
collapse, and I don't think he's going to collapse. He Your phone call
of last night was one of the biggest things for him. He said it is painful that th
only one who gives him support was his old enemy.
R: Well, it's thanks to you. You are the man. I think you are going
to save this country.
K: He says if we act like a helpless giant anarchy will destroy us.
I don't know if your position permits you to make a statement in support
R: I am waiting to see what he says and tailor It to that. Is he going
to be on radio too or just on TV?
K: I assume on radio too.
R: I have to make a speech at a dinner, but I'll get out by 9:00. Then
I'm going on to Queens. I'll be speaking there. That will give me a chance
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Governor Rockefeller
4/30/70 4:05 p.m.
page 2
to say whatever I want.
K: I wonder if there's some way I can get you a text.
R: Wonderful you don't have it up here though, do you.
K: No.
R: I'll get it in the car riding out to Queens.
K: We don't have a final text yet.
R: I think my best thing is to speak from intuition.
K: It's a strong speech.
R: I don't think I will have any trouble.
K: If it works, anyone who supported us will be ahead.
R: I don't care about that. Out country is more important than
getting elected.
K: You don't talk like anyone around here.
K: I've been in it longer.
K: You're a great man.
R: You are the greatest and I'm just thrilled.
K: When history of this period is written, your call last night will
be the turning point. You don't know how important it was.
R: I will listen on the radio and I'll deliver my speech and I'll have
a steno with me and have it called in to you.
K: All the best and many thanks.
R: You are great and I tell you I'm just thrilled. Take care now and
don't let him slip.
K: No, we're over the X Rubicon for tonight.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Laird/Kissinger
4:25 pm
4/30/70
K: kju He is just finishing his speech. As soon as I have a copy I will send it to
you.
L: I'm having them send pictures by satellite. I will send them as soon as
I can. Maybe I should release some of them.
K: By all means.
L: I notice the President's guidance
K: I haven't seen=it yet. He has been yelling at me for guidance.
L: There are some ARVN troops coming out of that territory because there's
not as much need for them.
K: Sure.
L: I notice he says -- I think that newsxix makes his point even stronger.
No question of troops occupying territory because some are already coming
out. This will make his point stronger.
K: He doesn't want to pull back from what he is doing. One ofxtxlx other thing.
Couldn't we get somebody fired over there?
L: I can pick out some man and fire him.
K: Well, at least move someone out of public relations.
L: No one did this. No military source did it. The press sources did it and
I can't fire them. They are a bunch of cynics. They have regular guidance
Kxx that all air casualties we will accept their estimates but for ??? you have
to have ground verification. E can only fire the newspaper guy.
K: Let's let it wait until tomorrow.
L: I can just pull some guy out.
K: Wait until tomorrow.
L: ???????
K: He feels that when there's a leak that section head gets fired.
L: But even when it's a civilian working for a public newspaper?
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Laird/Kissinger
4:25 pm
4/30/70
-2-
K: We will wait until tomorrow. We have other things to do tonight.
L: I will send you some pictures.
K: Wheeler brought some.
L: I told Wheeler to leave some with Al Haig earlier. You have those then --
6 or 8.
K: Many thanks.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Governor Reagan
4/30/70 4:55 p.m.
K: I am calling to give you a preview of the speech, but with the injunction that
this is only for you and not to be revealed to anyone else.
R: Of course.
K: It's going to be a very tough speech. The Communista attacks in
Cambodia threaten to tie bases into one large Communist base came from
which they would have 600 miles to attack Vietnam. We are launching an attack
tonight against the headquarters of Communist military operations in the
wouth with American and South Vietnamese forces and taking other measures
to bring home to North Vietnam and seriousness of the situation. We need
the greatest possible support. The peaceniks and student radicals are going
to try to break us. It is much tougher than the November 3 speech. We
say it is àn impossible situation, that they keep bleeding Americans, that
privileged sanctuaries will nox longer be respected. I don't think you are
going to be unhappy with the speech. We would appreciate it if in the public
outcry we could hear from you in support. Anything you can say as
quickly as possible will be appreciated. And if you make a statement, can
you phone it in to my office?
R: Yes.
K: And anything to generate public support in California will be greatly
appreciated. If we make it and break the thing open, it may turn the situation
around in this country. The President says the forces of anarchy are not only
international, but domestic.
R: Good. I still am confident that the pwople are ready for this.
K: If it fails, the world is going to be turned over to the Communists.
If the American people won't support a tough line then we have had it. We would
appreciate it if you make a statement, if you would have it called in.
R: Okay. We shall be looking forward to it.
X:
Thank you Governor. It's a pleasure to deal with you.
R: I read an item about you at a campus and your walking off. I cheered.
K: Well, they tried to get insolent and I walked out. I didn't know they
reported it this widely.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
Laird/Kissinger
7:25 pm
4/30/70
L: I have gone over this speech. I don't suppose we can make changes.
Page 7 of my draft which says tonight the U.S. and SVN troops will attack
headquarters units in
.
We believe the headquarters are there.
K: It's too late, Mel. I haven't heard anyone else say anything else. That's
all we can do now.
L: I will forget about the xxxt list then.
K: Right.
L: Are you happy with it?
K: Yes.
L: I am too but I thought I hope they haven't moved because they do move
around a bit.
K: It's a baexx headquarters area. I will make that in the backgrounder.
We don't want people defensive in the depts.
L: If we say it's a headquarters and it's not we want this as a success.
If we don't get the headquarters they will say it's a failure.
K: Maybe I can make him say it in the speech.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Telecon
Senator Stennis
4/29/70 9:20 p.m.
S: Just one minute. I don't know what they are going to say, how many
are going to attack the President's move against the sanctuaries on the floor
today. I made a ppeech yesterday
K: I saw it and I appreciate it.
S: I didn't call you for thanks. I want to be sure nothing new has happen-
ed. I'm not going to make a big speech today, but I'm going to say this is not
an inexperienced man and let's wait to see what he says.
K: That's right. And that he wants to save American lives and wants to
end the war. If you and some of your friends could say something it would
be a great source of strength to us all.
S: The facts have not substantially changed?
K: It will be within the spirit of what I told you the other day, but it may
be something more than what I told you. But in the same spirit. You will
not be left high and dry by what you have just said. We don't want too many
amendments that limit the President's freedom.
S: Of course.
K: I can assure you of the extensive furnishing of arms you will be on
safe ground.
S: I will count on you to furnigh me any substantial change of facts.
They asked me if I was given advance notice of the raid. I said no, and
went on from there.
K: That's fine. We wanted your advice. We didn't consult with you
as a senator but as a patriot.
S: I said the White House had kept me informed on general developments.
K: That's fine.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
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.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Governor Rockefeller/Mr. Kissinger
- 2 -
9:50 p. m., April 30, 1970
K:
I think that is all you can do. I know the situation you are
up against. This is being very fair. When you say "our prayers
are for success" is an endorsement.
R:
And then adding "rapid achievement for a lasting peace" which
is what he says fhis is for.
K:
The President wants me to call him.
R:
Give him my very best and tell him I am thrilled. I will call
him later.
K:
You are going further than is safe for you as it is.
y
R:
Thanks for what you have done for all of us.
K:
You gave us the encouragement.
R:
Keep with it and keep going.
lds
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Ron Ziegler/Mr. Kissinger
10:30 p. m., April 30, 1970
Z:
I think it went very well, don't you? The response is quite
good.
What did you tell the President about the Briefing?
K:
I didn't tell him anything about the briefing. I told him the'
commentators followed a lot of the background that we gave them.
Z:
How does he think he did?
K:
All right he is not as exhilarated as I have sometimes seen
him. Did you have Marilyn Berger and Marty Schram up there? I
don't want to talk to them.
Z:
No, I don't want you to, but you should see Frank Reynolds
tomorrow. He is going to Vietnam.
K:
What does Fentriss want?
Z:
Just keep it general
K:
You think it went well?
Z:
Yes, he did a good job. The press as a whole was very surprised.
The reaction in the press room after the speech was very quiet. They
realizedk the magnitude of the decision. That was a good line you used --
that the President entered into the decision with great thought and
prayerfully.
K:
You wouldn't let me put it into the speech -- I had to get it
in somewhere. We will have a few hectic days, but I think it will be
okay.
lds
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Mr. Kissinger/General Wheeler
10:37 p. m., April 30, 1970
K:
How do you feel tonight?
W:
I feel fine. How about you?
K:
I feel great. They better find something in there.
W:
I know they will I don't think they can move those bunkers.
When I talked to Mel, he asked about a certain operation. It is in
the air right now.
W:
K:
We just want them to pay attention. / It was quite substantial
were the words I got.
K:
You have good targets up there?
W:
Yes - - we have pictures of them. Apparently the boys laid
on a good effort.
K:
You have 48 hours to keep it up.
W:
We will. Reports will be coming in on the restricted circuit.
This is different from the operation running down south. I think we
will have a preliminary report in an hour.
K:
Is there anti-aircraft there? Have they been making it hard?
W:
They have making it difficult. Their instructions are protective (?)
reaction.
K:
You hung in there. I admire what you did. The only XXXX thing
that breaks my heart is he could have gone three steps further with
this speech. But that may come.
W:
He laid it on the line, I thought. He used an expression I
particularly liked: "intolerable. 11 Because it is intolerable.
K:
Thanks for being SO patient.
W:
I know you will never be welcome again at Harvard.
K:
But we all did the right thing. We will have a WSAG meeting
in the morning to go over it.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Mr. Kissinger/Gen Wheeler
10:37 p. m., April 30, 1970
- 2 -
W:
Moorer will attend for me. I am going to help my wife launch
a submarine tomorrow. I will have Moorer bring John Vogt so he
can bring you up to speed.
K:
Yes, a briefing. They will keep this thing driving in that
area? What is your judgment of how the other is going?
W:
I think all right.
K:
Are they getting the caches?
W:
They are small SO far, but they will get more when they turn
south.
I think that is where they are.
K:
It's got to worry them.
W:
It gives them something to think about. They have been sitting
there fat, dumb and happy for 3-1/2 years. Another aspect is this
will be very helpful to ARVN -- a psychological lift.
K:
Are they happy?
W:
They got off 9 minutes slow. When Abrams says 0830, he
means it -- and not 0839.
K:
But for ARVN, that is a record.
W:
They are putting their backs to it.
lds
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Page data
- Page
- 39
- Source index
- 0
- Type
- document
- Media ID
- 0e9bee40f2f3f8ab
- Size
- unknown
Document data
- ID
- 498693773
- Core
- doc
- Type
- document
DTO data
{
"id": "498693773",
"sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/498693773",
"contentType": "document",
"title": "April 27-30, 1970 [2 of 2]",
"citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/498693773",
"collections": [
"National Security Files (Nixon Administration)",
"Henry A. Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts (Telcons)"
],
"iiifBase": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05-001.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05-001.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05-001.jpg",
"imageCount": 39,
"hasImages": true,
"source": "import",
"hasTranscription": false
}
Context sent to Scholar
Document identity
{
"localId": "498693773",
"label": "April 27-30, 1970 [2 of 2]",
"core": "doc",
"dtoType": "document",
"citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/498693773"
}
Document source metadata
{
"id": "498693773",
"sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/498693773",
"contentType": "document",
"title": "April 27-30, 1970 [2 of 2]",
"citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/498693773",
"collections": [
"National Security Files (Nixon Administration)",
"Henry A. Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts (Telcons)"
],
"iiifBase": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05-001.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05-001.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05-001.jpg",
"imageCount": 39,
"hasImages": true,
"source": "import",
"hasTranscription": false
}
Document source extras
{
"url": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/498693773",
"naId": 498693773,
"levelOfDescription": "fileUnit",
"recordType": "description",
"ocrSource": "nara-archive"
}
Page context
{
"seq": 39,
"pageIndex": 0,
"type": "document",
"url": "https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/nixon/rn-nsf/579113/Batch0002/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05/37-natsec-kissinger_telcons-579113-05-05.pdf",
"mediaId": "0e9bee40f2f3f8ab",
"ocrText": "TELCON\nThe President\nMr. Kissinger\n9:25 a. m., 4-29-70\nP:\nWhat is the report?\nK:\nThey are in Cambodia and the South Vietnamese Defense\nMinistry has confirmed in a low key statement.\nP:\nAre we saying nothing?\nK:\nI thought we would go with what you said yesterday.\nP:\nI wouldn't do it until it builds a bit during the day and I don't\nmean just one question. Let it build a while so that it does not\nappear that we are anxious.\nK:\nWe were trying to delay getting them to make an announcement\nbut the South Vietnamese thought they had to make an announcement.\nP:\nWhat did they say?\nK:\n(HAK read ticker to the President). So far it has not built up\nmuch yet. As it does we can come back to you with our judgments.\nP:\nMy hunch was correct. It is no use making a great big announce-\nment right off. It is clear the press has no idea about what we\nhave in mind.\nK:\nAnd the South Vietnamese barred the press from the area.\nP:\nThe press here thinks we are only giving aid to Cambodia and\nkeep it that way.\nK:\nWhen will you make your speech?\nP:\nWe will hold that until this builds up. Do you have any other\nreason?\nK:\nNo. We should wait until we are pressed. If we can get through\ntoday without making the DOD press statement, then tomorrow\nwe can refer to your speech and make no statement at all.\nP:\nI will get Ziegler in and tell him.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n- -2-\nK:\nBut the operation seems to be working well.\nP:\nThey have started moving from both sides?\nK:\nYes.\nP:\nI guess they will get into their fighting in three or four days.\nK:\nYes, if they fight, but they might withdraw but we will get\ntheir caches.\nP:\nIf we pull this off, they can take the other two.\nK:\nThen we can point them to other bases in South Vietnam. And\nthat I think would really precipitate the conclusion. I sent\nyou another draft.\nP:\nI saw it. I am going to work today on it. Alright, we will hold\nDOD on that announcement until they get word from us.\nK:\nRight, Mr. President.\nP:\nI am not sure but in view of this we might be able to let our\nown go.\nK:\nYou mean not make our statement -- without being asked.\nP:\nNo, the COSVN operation -- let it ride for a day.\nK:\nYou mean wait until Friday. That thing will blow immediately.\nP:\nThat will go approximately two hours before I speak.\nK:\nI think there will be so many reports that there will be great\nalarm unless you have spoken.\nP:\nTo the great credit of the South Vietnamese they keep the press\nout.\nK:\nNot a good story in the American press either.\nP:\nNo, the South Vietnamese don't want to build the Americans\nup. You can even say when you give total operations that it is\nmore South Vietnamese than Americans. You add Parrot's\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n-3-\nBeak and what SVN they have on the other one and you have a\nlot more than Americans. Alright, as far as operations on\nthe other thing, they are all set, are they?\nK:\nYes, I am having a meeting of the Planning Group and we will\nmeet probably twice a day until the thing is done. It may\ntake just 15 minutes but so that everyone will know what is\ngoing on.\nP:\nThat is a good idea. It will keep a good hard offensive line\nin our statements and we should be affirmative.\nK:\nIf we go in with a few thousand Americans to clean out 40, 000\nVC troops -- (President interrupted here)\nP:\nWe can work it - base areas, some supplies, some captures\nare damned important. I realize it will take four or five\ndays before we start getting anything. Alright Henry.\nmlh\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nLaird/Kissinger\n12:37 pm\n4/29/70\nL: I think everything started out well. Did you have the last briefing on that?\n\"\nK: I had one at 10:00.\nL: I had a later one and Bill just left here.\nK: How is it going?\nL: Very good. The initial reports -- 350 killed already.\nK: Do you believe that?\nL: I never believe the initial reports. They've found substantial oxbax caches.\nK: We want those photographed.\nL: You can rely on the third report. I'm going ahead on an execute on those\nroutes 1032/1036/1039. They will go on Thurs. night.\nK: I think we should hold them to 48 hours.\nL: Try to get them to go Thurs. night.\nK: That's what the Presi dent wants.\nL: This is a plan which I had here on my desk based on CIA intelligence. We\nare set on that. I told Bill about this plan and he has no objections and he will\nnot tell anybody else -- not even at State.\nK: We appreciate how you are pulling.\nL: We are getting heat to read the statement on TV. We haven't allowed that to\nbe done. The networks are raising hell.\nK: Our feeling is to play it low key. Not to read it.\nL: They might make more out of it.\nK: We have announced a Presidential speech.\nL: Good. We will go along and not let them read it.\nK: You have put it out.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nLaird/Kissinger\n12:37 pm 4/29/70\n-2-\nLYes\nXII\nThe networks want to know why we refuse to read it.\nK: Let me check with Haldeman and Zeigler.\nL: They will just say Defense refused to read it.\nK: So what?\nL: Exactly.\nK: We are almost as much hell for this as we will later.\nL: Anything else?\nK: No, the President has gone off to wo his speech.\nL: I have that interview of last Thursday with U.S. News and World Report.\nI think you should see it and give me your ideas. I have to return it today.\nK: Send it over.\nL: I think I should change what I said on Cambodia.\nK: I don't know, I haven't seen it. The President would like you, Bill,\nand Gen. Wheeler over klexix here tomorrow.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nFlanigan/Kissinger\n12:58\npm\n4/29/70\nF: Is it true that you are implementing the foreign policy of the U.S. to help\nyour holdings? The stock holdings when up until your Cambodian thing hit the\nnews. The break\nis beyond 1929. They (a group of brokers (?) Flanigan\nhad just met with) XX are convinced there will be a falling\n. South\nEast Asia is their greatest concern. People have lost confidence and the time\nframe is different than previously. On fellow read about arms to Cambodia and\nexpressed the opinion that he hoped we wouldn't do that.\nK: Business people are idiots.\nF: You will take professors for them?\nK: We are unfortunately in a position that leadership is bankrupt.\nF: Whatever the draft, you should have this in mind. The best will be to say that\nthis will not increase the budget.\nK: I appreciate it but this one has to be played hard if it's going to be played\nat all.\nF: All right. I passed this problem on to the President.\nK: He is doing mose of the drafting. He is. I am not passing the buck. After\nthis I may become too controversial and you may be rid of me. He is really\nshooting the works.\nF: I am glad to be helping a guy that's that kind of President.\nK: It's one of the gutsiest moves I have ever seen.\nF: You are convinced we are right?\nK:??????????\nF: We are close to winning. But this is a very clever move on their part because\nit shows they know more about what we are doing than we think. They thing\nthe Foreign Affairs Committee will influence it. This is a last-ditch effort.\nK: I didn't want to announce the speech before 4:00. Then Fulbright started\npumping off. We didn't want to look like we were announcing a speech in answer\nto a crescendo of press inquiries. We didn't think about the stokk market.\nF: I think in a general memo I am doing on the market, I will mention this\nabout announcements.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nSen. Griffing/Kissinger\n1:10 pm\n4/29/70\nK: The President asked me to call you before the end of the meeting to give you\na feel for what is going on. He is going on TV tomorrow night and will give the\nwhole thing. This is not in response to Lon Nol's request. This is in terms of\nimpact operations in Cambodia have XXXXXXIX or are likely to have on the VN program\nIt's an attack on a base area 35 miles from Saigon in which they have already\nuncovered large caches which has been occupied by VN for the last month. The\nground troops are all SVN. We have not used tactical air support yet. That's\na last resort. We are in support of SVN operation. If you look at the map you\nwill see that this finger goes right into SVN.\nG: The Parrot's Beak, I think it's called.\nK: The troops will be withdrawn as soon as the caches are taken out. It's\nnot expected to be a long operation. We estimate a two week to xxx 10 days.\nThat's strictly for your information. You can say a \"high govt. source indicated\nwill be of short duration.\nG: Is there anything regarding (?) the Cambodians? Is it cleared with Cambodia ?\nK: Again the facts are we don't want the Cambdoians to say they cleared it\nbecause they don't want to be NSED accused of betraying their territory. They\nwill say that NVN took this territory and they don't know what is going on in it.\nWe would appreciate some support.\nG: What I thought I would do I will go up today and say something. The\nSenate is not in session but we can\nK: If you would line up our troops to answer Fulbright. Put it in terms of\nsupport of our efforts in SVN.\nG: We will be pressed on advisors. Can you tell me anything about that?\nTo the South Vietnamese.\nK: Not further down then battalion level. Don't quote me but the last x figure\nI saw was 50. These are the same men who are generally with them, fighting\nunder our training program.\nG: If they ask what's next\nK: The President will announce tommorrow. He wanted you to know. This puts\nputs us in a delicate position. Don't mention the length of the operation unless\nyou say on highest authority they will be of short duration. 40, 000 NVN are in\nCambodia and going into SVN. They have been attacking U.S. forces and now\nthey will attack also Cambodians.( A or from Cambodia). A new security\nproblem for our forces in SVN. We don't feel we have to be apologetic.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nSen. Griffin/Kissinger\n1:10 pm 4/29/70\n-2-\nG: OK\nK: You can be sure when I call you it's an SOB.\nG: I'm glad you did because we were not consulted or notified and I didn't want\nto be in that position.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nGerard Smith/Kissinger\n1:55 pm\n4/29/70\n(call on the secure phone from Vienna SALT talks)\nK: You are not telling me you have asseed agreemen?\nS: No, not yet. I want to talk about #39. I understand there was a backstopping\nmeeting that it was decided not to go with the line we recommended. Bill\nsays that if Laird would agree we could go on theixx our recommendation.\nNitze has tried to talk to Laird. Tucker has been persuaded that our position\nis correct in 39. I think it's consistent with the NSDM.\nK: Youwant our approval here? We are the only missing link here? You\nneed our clearance?\nS: That's my understanding I have Bill's endorsement and Nitze has\npersuaded Tucker. Larry Lynn is the only one LXCX in the trio.\nK: What's the issue? I have been working on another matter this week.\nS: Whether to\nthe bomber trade off or use that as a hold\nback position. Not to present it the first day. If we present bombers trade\noff on the first day, we have no distinction between them and missiles.\nK: When do you need to know?\nS: It's 7:00 now. We can work through the night.\nK: I will be back in Anything an hour or I will have Sonnenfeldt call. My inclination\nis to go with you. Nathing that Nitze and Smith want I should get out of the\nway. I have seen more Talmudic studies from Defense then I thought possible.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nGov. Rockefeller/Kissinger\n3:00 pm\n4/29/70\nR: I keep thinking of you every day as I read the paper.\nK: The troops are XIIX not exactly marching behind me. But the dye is cast.\nR: Great.\nK: I will talk more about it with you tomorrow.\nR: My good friend who you don't know Therhus (sp? ) -- he is crazy about\nthe AID man there who is tops and he is being transferred after one year,\nbecause he is too friendly, I guess. His name is David Lacida (sp?). Everyone\nloves him and they are pulling him out for VN. If it would help, I could call\nHanna.\nK: Do that and I will work on my end. Let's work it on both sides. You\nwon't be down this week? Are you reachable tomorrow? The President is going\nto be giving a talk on Cambodia. The stock market just fell 12 points. I hate\nto do this in election hear but we could use some support.\nR: My feeling is that the picture is inseperable. I will be here in NY all day.\nK: I will call you and give you a pre-view.\nR: I had a good talk with the fellow on the advisory Committee.\nK: Cohn? Watts muffed that up. He was to be let go in a few months.\nAdderson was to do that. But Watts tried to get some points.\nR: I said you knew nothing about it and it was done in your absence and that\nyou were disturbed and after this crisis you would like to help him find something\nelse.\nK: You are a great friend. I don't need someone like this shooting at my back.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nSecretary Richardson\nMr. Kissinger\n7:00 pm, 4-29-70\nR:\nHello Henry.\nK:\nElliot, how are you?\nR:\nHow are you:\nK:\nI am doing fine.\nR:\nYou have had a busy time.\nK:\nWithout the restraining influence of these Thursday lunches -\nthis is what happens when you go out of town.\nR:\nThe reason I called you is I got a call from Brownie Reed\nwho has put in an amendment to dissent authorization bill\nwhich adds a section like Church amendment regarding the\nintroduction of troops into Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.\nI was going to call him and say why don't you listen to the\nPresident's speech.\nK:\nHe ought to talk to Harlow and we ought to try to stop it. We\ncan't have this voted on until after the President's speech.\nUnless we think it will be defeated.\n(Reed?)\nR:\nHe/had thought Arends may have talked to Harlow already.\nI tried to get Harlow and he has gone to some Congressional\ndinner. Maybe you would want to get him and have the vote\nput over.\nK:\nAs long as these things have to be done, they have to be done\nconfidently. The people who charge us with immorality won't\nlove us anymore if we turn out to be incompetent.\nR:\nSince I don't really know what is in issue, I don't know what'\nimpact of it can be. He (Reed) said in effect that he does not\nand would make clear that this was not intended to make use of\nU.S. air, artillery or advisers.\nK:\nWell, let me see if I can find Harlow.\nR:\nOkay.\n(Note: Mr. Kissinger did later reach Mr. Harlow but talked\nto him while he (Kissinger) was in Mr. Haldeman's Office)\nmlh\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nPat Buchanan\nMr. Kissinger\n8:00 p.m., 4-29-70\nK:\nHow is the bloody hawk doing? Don't wave that bloody shirt.\nJust make it tough and implacable.\nB:\nOkay Henry.\nK:\nCan you burn me a copy of it so that I can look it over.\nWhen will you have it done?\n:\nB:\nI will have it done by 9:00.\nThe President wants it by 9:00.\nK:\nCan you get me one too? It would help me gain a half hour\nof focusing my thoughts.\nB:\nOkay, will do.\nmlh\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nN. Rockefeller/Kissinger\n10:30 pm\n4/29/70\nK: I need a little help. Call the President and give him a little courage.\nTell him your heart goès out to him. You don't know what's going on.\nR: Fine. Can I call him now?\nK: Try. We Say you were coming in from a political rally or something and\nsay you were thinking of him. Will you call me back if you reach him?\nR: I will call you on this number.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nThe President\n4/29/70; 10:45 p.m.\nK: Mr. President, sorry to bother you. Rockefeller just called and\ntalked to Dwight and said he just came back from a political meeting\nand wanted to report to you that your friends there were with you and\nso Dwight put him on the line to me so I should tell you and see if you\nwanted to talk to him.\nP: I will talk to him. The draft will be up to you at 11:00.\nK: As soon as I read it I will call you.\nP: Right, and I will talk to Rockefeller.\nms\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nHaldeman\n4/29/70; 11:15 p.m.\nK: I just found out the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled\nan Executive Session on Cambodia tomorrow. Did you know that?\nH: Yes, we knew about 5:00 today.\nK: Somebody should call Rogers. He can get that called off. These guys\nwouldn't hold sessions ahead of time unless somebody got them steamed up.\nH: They are steamed up.\nK: How do they know what the President is going to say?\nH: They don't. But you can make a case here both ways.\nK: At any rate we should get him to call them.\nH: Right.\nK: To wait with their hearing until after the President has spoken.\nH: I think that's a good idea.\nK: It's better if it comes from you.\nH: We have a problem in the House too in that there they are pushing for\na resolution. The Senate cannot come out with anything because they are\nin Executive Session, but the House can come out with saying you can't\ndo anything in Cambodia.\nK: They can turn off the aid.\nH: Somebody is calling for impeachment of the President tonight.\nK: Who is that?\nH: I don't know. I tuned in late to the news.\nK: The excitement is SO far out of proportion to anything we have ever had\nbefore.\nH: As soon as you move the men into Cambodia you have expanded it out\nof Vietnam. That is going to get the frothing at the mouth and it did.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n-2-\nK: The main thing is to get the character on the firing line.\nH: Yes, and that's a good idea.\nK: I am just waiting for the new draft of the speech.\nH: Is he still up?\nK: Yes.\nH: Damn. What did you do with Rockefeller?\nK: I put him through. I thought it might be a good morale booster.\nH: Did the President talk to him?\nK: Yes. I haven't talked to him since. Rockefeller just wanted\nhim to know that he was behind him.\nH: Good for him.\nms\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nPresident/Kissinger\n9:45 am\n4/30/70\nK: I just wanted to let you know Sen. Stennis called. He is behind you and he\nwill speak on the floor today. He will try to get some others to speak. He\nasked me to inform him if there's anything on military aid.\nP; The speech is clever because it doesn't say anything about aid. It's just\nsupport. When will it be ready?\nK: It's being typed now.\nP: 1:00 is my deadline.\nK: I will have it to you in half an hour.\nP: Call in Jos. Alsop and wee what he thinks. And see what his reactions\nare. Put in how tough the decision is. What I say about the other President's'\nposition also. Everybody was supporting them.\nK: The people have supported you more than the leaders.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nGovernor Dewey\n4/30/70 9;50 a. m.\nD: I just wanted to report to you that my two partners, who are sick of\nthis war and want out, think you did the only possible thing. The Polish han-\ndyman came in to me and only said why didn't we do it sooner? My Jewish\nsecretary, who's been with me for 36 years, said it's wonderful. What's the\nmatter with Senator Fulbright he must hate his country. That's just a cross-\nsection of the people I've talked with this morning.\nK: Ybu couldn't have called at a better time.\nD: One other thing. If you get a chance\nThe President has a habit\nof calling me after making a speech. I wish you would tell him that I'm mad-\nder than hell that I won't be able to hear the speech tonight. I have a long-\nstanding commitment to go to the theater with some friends. It's embarassing\nif he calls me and I have to say I haven't heard the speech. But I'll read it in\nthe morning paper.\nK: Fine, I'll tell him that, and let him know about this call.\nD: Are you feeling fubbe buffetted?\nK: No, not really. Small problems are more irritating than big ones.\nD: Teddy Kennedy must feel like th luckiest man in the world to have\nthis going on now. Nobody is noticing.\nK: But he was on the front page.\nD: Everybody has got his problems.\nK: But I'd rather have ours than his.\nD:\nYes.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nBryce Harlow\n4/30/70 9:50 a.m.\nH: On this amendment in the House, we may have a critical situation.\nI just read the text of. Maybe we can relax, but I wanted to check with you\nto see if you think we can relax. It says \"\nno funds can be used for\nAmerican ground combat troops\n\"\nCan we buy that?\nK: No, because, for your information, we are going to introduce some\ntroops tonight.\nH: Oh, okay.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nThe President\nMr. Kissinger\n9:55 a. m., 4-30-70\nK:\nMr. President, Dewey just called. He rode to work with his\ntwo partners. He got an entirely different reaction than he\nexpected. They were enormously relieved. They said \"thank\ngoodness something is being done. \" His secretary said, \"isn't\nit good that something is being done by the country. \" He said\nhe was so stunned by this reaction. He told me yesterday that\nhe thought his law partners would go into orbit and the\nopposite is happening.\nP:\nWell, I will tell you, they will never hear a speech like this one.\nI have made some changes to it also. I will get Rose in and\ngive them to her.\nK:\nI will have the speech up to you by 10:30.\nP:\nOK. Ask Rose to come over, will you.\nK:\nYes, Mr. President.\nmlh\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nThe President\n4/30/70 9:58 a. m.\nK: Mr. President, Dewey just called and said he rode in to work with\nhis partners this morning whom he told me were doves and this would make\nthem climb the wall. He said, on the contrary, they were immensele re-\nlieved; they said thank God we³re going something. Dewey's secretary said\nwhat's the matter with Fulbright-- he must hate his country; his handyman\nsaid why didn't we do it sooner\nP: They're saying this on the basis of\nK: On the basis of the news report.\nP: which doesn't indicate what we are going to do.\nK: Yes, but his law partners, who are doves, were relieved.\nP: Well, they re never going to hear a speech tike this one.\nK: I'll be over with it in an hour, the first pages in half an hour.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nPresident Johnson\n4/30/60 10:06 a.m.\nK: Mr. President, I wanted to call you to tell you what the President\nis going to announce tonight, only for your information, of course. That we\nare authorizing American forees to move into the Cambodian senctuaries\nand clean them out, and take whatever other action incessary to end the\nwar. We won't recognize privileged aanctuaries if the Nietnamese actions\nthere continue.\nPJ: I'll look forward with great interest to it and I know everyone will\nlook with great interest. I gather there's no chance of their standing up\nwithout help?\nK: In Cambodia?\nPJ: Yes.\nK: No, they're in the same condition there as the army on Laos, if you\nknow what that means. We concluded that Vietnamization was bound to fail\nif we held still. We therefore decided to take that action.\nPJ: I'll listen to it and be back in touch with you, and I'm grateful for\nyour call.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nAmb. Freeman/Kissinger\n10:35 am\n4/30/70\nF: I am doing something I have never done before. I gather that the Preisdent\nhas a bad press in London for the events bxhax which are taking place. You\nhave once or twice given me an advance thing -- but never at my request,\nalways at your suggestion. But my master might be relieved if I could give\nthem something before the President speaks this evening.\nK: I'm not authorized to do that but I think the President would agree. When?\nF: The earlier the better but whenever you say.\nK: Let's aim for about 4:00 or 4:30.\nF: Why don't you call and confirm the time.\nK: What does the British press want us to do?\nF: I'm not sure but the line seems to be moving away from political consideration\nand towards escalation. I'm concerned about keeping my government\non an even keel.\nK: I had hoped to do something about seeing you after. There isn't much\nyour government can do. So it doesn't make any difference when.\nF: No, but I think it would be good to be able to say you have talked with us.\nK: I have an extremely hectic day. If you could come over at short notice,\nI will be sure to have half an hour with you.\nF: I can be there on 15 mins. notice during the day.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nBob Haldeman\nMr. Kissinger\n12:25 pm, 4-30-70\nK:\nEverything is okay. We are putting in final. He is\ngetting quite emotional about it.\nH:\nAnything we can do to help? Do you need any\ntranquilizers?\nK:\nNo, I just finished a bottle. You can send out for a\nnew bottle.\nH:\nOK Henry.\nmlh\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nRose Woods\nMr. Kissinger\n1:35 pm, 4-30-70\nW:\nWe are talking about troops and promise to bring men home.\nDo you want the 150, 000 figure in?\nK:\nNo, that is out.\nW:\nOkay.\nK:\nWill you make a xerox for me?\nW:\nYes.\nmlh\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nProf. Gaæubard/Kissinger\nafternoon\n4/30/70\nG: I am coming to Washington next Wed. Could I see you? If I come Tues.\nnight could I see you for dinner? Or if I stayed over on Thurs. ?\nK: Are you going to the Harvard Club of Washington dinner next Wed. ?\nG: No.\nK: On Tues. How boring can X my life get! $ have to go to the Chilean\nAmb. 's for a dinner for the French Amb. The Chilean is delightful but\nyou know the Frenchman as well as I. I can't make dinner either night.\nI can't do Tues. lunch. How about Thurs. ? I will switch Richardson.\nG: Is it a good speech?\nK: It's for you to say. Just don't burn down the university. It's necessary.\nG: It's not a speech written without your agreement?\nK: I don't provide a x check list. Come to my office on Thurs. at 1:00 and\nwe will see if I can get to the Metropolitàm club.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nGovernor Rockefeller\n4/30/70 4:05 p.m.\nK: I want to tell you where we stand. We are going tonight into\nthe headquarters of the North Vietnamese operation along the Cambod-\nian frontier, Thex the one from which they are attacking the nerve\ncenter. We are going with Vietnamese and some American airborne.\nWe will get their attention. They are being\nbombed right now as a matter of fact. And there will be bombing\nin the douthern part of the north. And it's going to be a stem-winder\nof a speech.\nR: Great!\nK: You don't act like a candidate, Nelson. He's going to tell\nthem the war has got to end. Say we've done everything, and this\nsituation is intolerable.\nR: Great!\nK: It's a tough speech. Much tougher than November 3. IX\nR: Well, it ought to be.\nK: He lists all the things we've done, and then says the answer has\nbeen\n[K read from the speech draft] and then he makes another of\nhis tough warnings. He says this action is to put the leaders of North\nVietnam on notice.\nR: Is he ready to go on with this?\nK: This afternoon he is. He's got only two choices: to go on or\ncollapse, and I don't think he's going to collapse. He Your phone call\nof last night was one of the biggest things for him. He said it is painful that th\nonly one who gives him support was his old enemy.\nR: Well, it's thanks to you. You are the man. I think you are going\nto save this country.\nK: He says if we act like a helpless giant anarchy will destroy us.\nI don't know if your position permits you to make a statement in support\nR: I am waiting to see what he says and tailor It to that. Is he going\nto be on radio too or just on TV?\nK: I assume on radio too.\nR: I have to make a speech at a dinner, but I'll get out by 9:00. Then\nI'm going on to Queens. I'll be speaking there. That will give me a chance\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nGovernor Rockefeller\n4/30/70 4:05 p.m.\npage 2\nto say whatever I want.\nK: I wonder if there's some way I can get you a text.\nR: Wonderful you don't have it up here though, do you.\nK: No.\nR: I'll get it in the car riding out to Queens.\nK: We don't have a final text yet.\nR: I think my best thing is to speak from intuition.\nK: It's a strong speech.\nR: I don't think I will have any trouble.\nK: If it works, anyone who supported us will be ahead.\nR: I don't care about that. Out country is more important than\ngetting elected.\nK: You don't talk like anyone around here.\nK: I've been in it longer.\nK: You're a great man.\nR: You are the greatest and I'm just thrilled.\nK: When history of this period is written, your call last night will\nbe the turning point. You don't know how important it was.\nR: I will listen on the radio and I'll deliver my speech and I'll have\na steno with me and have it called in to you.\nK: All the best and many thanks.\nR: You are great and I tell you I'm just thrilled. Take care now and\ndon't let him slip.\nK: No, we're over the X Rubicon for tonight.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nLaird/Kissinger\n4:25 pm\n4/30/70\nK: kju He is just finishing his speech. As soon as I have a copy I will send it to\nyou.\nL: I'm having them send pictures by satellite. I will send them as soon as\nI can. Maybe I should release some of them.\nK: By all means.\nL: I notice the President's guidance\nK: I haven't seen=it yet. He has been yelling at me for guidance.\nL: There are some ARVN troops coming out of that territory because there's\nnot as much need for them.\nK: Sure.\nL: I notice he says -- I think that newsxix makes his point even stronger.\nNo question of troops occupying territory because some are already coming\nout. This will make his point stronger.\nK: He doesn't want to pull back from what he is doing. One ofxtxlx other thing.\nCouldn't we get somebody fired over there?\nL: I can pick out some man and fire him.\nK: Well, at least move someone out of public relations.\nL: No one did this. No military source did it. The press sources did it and\nI can't fire them. They are a bunch of cynics. They have regular guidance\nKxx that all air casualties we will accept their estimates but for ??? you have\nto have ground verification. E can only fire the newspaper guy.\nK: Let's let it wait until tomorrow.\nL: I can just pull some guy out.\nK: Wait until tomorrow.\nL: ???????\nK: He feels that when there's a leak that section head gets fired.\nL: But even when it's a civilian working for a public newspaper?\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nLaird/Kissinger\n4:25 pm\n4/30/70\n-2-\nK: We will wait until tomorrow. We have other things to do tonight.\nL: I will send you some pictures.\nK: Wheeler brought some.\nL: I told Wheeler to leave some with Al Haig earlier. You have those then --\n6 or 8.\nK: Many thanks.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nGovernor Reagan\n4/30/70 4:55 p.m.\nK: I am calling to give you a preview of the speech, but with the injunction that\nthis is only for you and not to be revealed to anyone else.\nR: Of course.\nK: It's going to be a very tough speech. The Communista attacks in\nCambodia threaten to tie bases into one large Communist base came from\nwhich they would have 600 miles to attack Vietnam. We are launching an attack\ntonight against the headquarters of Communist military operations in the\nwouth with American and South Vietnamese forces and taking other measures\nto bring home to North Vietnam and seriousness of the situation. We need\nthe greatest possible support. The peaceniks and student radicals are going\nto try to break us. It is much tougher than the November 3 speech. We\nsay it is àn impossible situation, that they keep bleeding Americans, that\nprivileged sanctuaries will nox longer be respected. I don't think you are\ngoing to be unhappy with the speech. We would appreciate it if in the public\noutcry we could hear from you in support. Anything you can say as\nquickly as possible will be appreciated. And if you make a statement, can\nyou phone it in to my office?\nR: Yes.\nK: And anything to generate public support in California will be greatly\nappreciated. If we make it and break the thing open, it may turn the situation\naround in this country. The President says the forces of anarchy are not only\ninternational, but domestic.\nR: Good. I still am confident that the pwople are ready for this.\nK: If it fails, the world is going to be turned over to the Communists.\nIf the American people won't support a tough line then we have had it. We would\nappreciate it if you make a statement, if you would have it called in.\nR: Okay. We shall be looking forward to it.\nX:\nThank you Governor. It's a pleasure to deal with you.\nR: I read an item about you at a campus and your walking off. I cheered.\nK: Well, they tried to get insolent and I walked out. I didn't know they\nreported it this widely.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nLaird/Kissinger\n7:25 pm\n4/30/70\nL: I have gone over this speech. I don't suppose we can make changes.\nPage 7 of my draft which says tonight the U.S. and SVN troops will attack\nheadquarters units in\n.\nWe believe the headquarters are there.\nK: It's too late, Mel. I haven't heard anyone else say anything else. That's\nall we can do now.\nL: I will forget about the xxxt list then.\nK: Right.\nL: Are you happy with it?\nK: Yes.\nL: I am too but I thought I hope they haven't moved because they do move\naround a bit.\nK: It's a baexx headquarters area. I will make that in the backgrounder.\nWe don't want people defensive in the depts.\nL: If we say it's a headquarters and it's not we want this as a success.\nIf we don't get the headquarters they will say it's a failure.\nK: Maybe I can make him say it in the speech.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nSenator Stennis\n4/29/70 9:20 p.m.\nS: Just one minute. I don't know what they are going to say, how many\nare going to attack the President's move against the sanctuaries on the floor\ntoday. I made a ppeech yesterday\nK: I saw it and I appreciate it.\nS: I didn't call you for thanks. I want to be sure nothing new has happen-\ned. I'm not going to make a big speech today, but I'm going to say this is not\nan inexperienced man and let's wait to see what he says.\nK: That's right. And that he wants to save American lives and wants to\nend the war. If you and some of your friends could say something it would\nbe a great source of strength to us all.\nS: The facts have not substantially changed?\nK: It will be within the spirit of what I told you the other day, but it may\nbe something more than what I told you. But in the same spirit. You will\nnot be left high and dry by what you have just said. We don't want too many\namendments that limit the President's freedom.\nS: Of course.\nK: I can assure you of the extensive furnishing of arms you will be on\nsafe ground.\nS: I will count on you to furnigh me any substantial change of facts.\nThey asked me if I was given advance notice of the raid. I said no, and\nwent on from there.\nK: That's fine. We wanted your advice. We didn't consult with you\nas a senator but as a patriot.\nS: I said the White House had kept me informed on general developments.\nK: That's fine.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nGovernor Rockefeller/Mr. Kissinger\n9:50 p. m., April 30, 1970\nR:\nI thought the speech was great. I missed the first part of it\nbecause I had to speak at a dinner. I listened to the last 10 minutes\nin the car. He did a beautiful job.\nK:\nIt was about 20 minutes altogether.\nR:\nI also listened to the commentators, and they were neither too\nbad nor too good.\nK:\nBut that is gaining.\nR:\nThis is fabulous.\nK:\nI briefed the press for one hour before the speech. They\nweren't friendly, but they weren't outraged. One thing that is now\nclear. We might just as well have gone all the way.\nR:\nIn what you said or what you did?\nK:\nIn clobbering North Vietnam. I just had the Russian Charge\nin - he did not have a good time.\nR:\nWas he surprised?\nK:\nHe was not happy.\nR:\nYou are on the right track. I'll read you the statement I\nwrote in the car:\n\"The gravity of the world situation has been\nbrought into sharp focus by the President's\nforthright speech tonight. The President has\nmade a decision that will deeply affect every\nAmerican. Our prayers will be for success\nand the rapid achievement of a lasting peace. 11\nR:\nAll of my people have written me memos recommending against\na statement.\nK:\nAs the President told you yesterday, he understands your\nsituation and he didn't expect you to say anything.\nR:\nI'm trying to be impressionistic -- to respond.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nGovernor Rockefeller/Mr. Kissinger\n- 2 -\n9:50 p. m., April 30, 1970\nK:\nI think that is all you can do. I know the situation you are\nup against. This is being very fair. When you say \"our prayers\nare for success\" is an endorsement.\nR:\nAnd then adding \"rapid achievement for a lasting peace\" which\nis what he says fhis is for.\nK:\nThe President wants me to call him.\nR:\nGive him my very best and tell him I am thrilled. I will call\nhim later.\nK:\nYou are going further than is safe for you as it is.\ny\nR:\nThanks for what you have done for all of us.\nK:\nYou gave us the encouragement.\nR:\nKeep with it and keep going.\nlds\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nRon Ziegler/Mr. Kissinger\n10:30 p. m., April 30, 1970\nZ:\nI think it went very well, don't you? The response is quite\ngood.\nWhat did you tell the President about the Briefing?\nK:\nI didn't tell him anything about the briefing. I told him the'\ncommentators followed a lot of the background that we gave them.\nZ:\nHow does he think he did?\nK:\nAll right he is not as exhilarated as I have sometimes seen\nhim. Did you have Marilyn Berger and Marty Schram up there? I\ndon't want to talk to them.\nZ:\nNo, I don't want you to, but you should see Frank Reynolds\ntomorrow. He is going to Vietnam.\nK:\nWhat does Fentriss want?\nZ:\nJust keep it general\nK:\nYou think it went well?\nZ:\nYes, he did a good job. The press as a whole was very surprised.\nThe reaction in the press room after the speech was very quiet. They\nrealizedk the magnitude of the decision. That was a good line you used --\nthat the President entered into the decision with great thought and\nprayerfully.\nK:\nYou wouldn't let me put it into the speech -- I had to get it\nin somewhere. We will have a few hectic days, but I think it will be\nokay.\nlds\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nMr. Kissinger/General Wheeler\n10:37 p. m., April 30, 1970\nK:\nHow do you feel tonight?\nW:\nI feel fine. How about you?\nK:\nI feel great. They better find something in there.\nW:\nI know they will I don't think they can move those bunkers.\nWhen I talked to Mel, he asked about a certain operation. It is in\nthe air right now.\nW:\nK:\nWe just want them to pay attention. / It was quite substantial\nwere the words I got.\nK:\nYou have good targets up there?\nW:\nYes - - we have pictures of them. Apparently the boys laid\non a good effort.\nK:\nYou have 48 hours to keep it up.\nW:\nWe will. Reports will be coming in on the restricted circuit.\nThis is different from the operation running down south. I think we\nwill have a preliminary report in an hour.\nK:\nIs there anti-aircraft there? Have they been making it hard?\nW:\nThey have making it difficult. Their instructions are protective (?)\nreaction.\nK:\nYou hung in there. I admire what you did. The only XXXX thing\nthat breaks my heart is he could have gone three steps further with\nthis speech. But that may come.\nW:\nHe laid it on the line, I thought. He used an expression I\nparticularly liked: \"intolerable. 11 Because it is intolerable.\nK:\nThanks for being SO patient.\nW:\nI know you will never be welcome again at Harvard.\nK:\nBut we all did the right thing. We will have a WSAG meeting\nin the morning to go over it.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nMr. Kissinger/Gen Wheeler\n10:37 p. m., April 30, 1970\n- 2 -\nW:\nMoorer will attend for me. I am going to help my wife launch\na submarine tomorrow. I will have Moorer bring John Vogt so he\ncan bring you up to speed.\nK:\nYes, a briefing. They will keep this thing driving in that\narea? What is your judgment of how the other is going?\nW:\nI think all right.\nK:\nAre they getting the caches?\nW:\nThey are small SO far, but they will get more when they turn\nsouth.\nI think that is where they are.\nK:\nIt's got to worry them.\nW:\nIt gives them something to think about. They have been sitting\nthere fat, dumb and happy for 3-1/2 years. Another aspect is this\nwill be very helpful to ARVN -- a psychological lift.\nK:\nAre they happy?\nW:\nThey got off 9 minutes slow. When Abrams says 0830, he\nmeans it -- and not 0839.\nK:\nBut for ARVN, that is a record.\nW:\nThey are putting their backs to it.\nlds\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified."
}