Office of the Historian

293. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between President Ford and the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)1

Washington, May 13, 1975, 8:10 p.m.

P: Hello.

S: Mr. President.

P: Yes, Brent.

S: I have just one quick one. Three little boats have taken off toward the northeast. One boat has been sunk. The second has turned back and the third is continuing at full speed. If they can’t stop it any other way, we have no choice but to destroy it.

P: I think we have no choice.

S: It is obvious they know what we want.

P: No, I think you should. If we don’t do it, it is an indication of some considerable weakness.

S: No question about it.

P: I think we should just give it to them.

S: To show them we mean business.

P: I am glad they got the first two. I think we ought to take the action on the third one.

S: Thank you, Sir.

  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Office Files, Box 1, Cambodia, Mayaguez Seizure. No classification marking.↩