Office of the Historian

95. Memorandum From President Nixon to Secretary of State Rogers1

Washington, July 9, 1969.

In thinking over the meeting on the Sequoia, I thought I should sum up my thoughts on Lodge’s concluding speech at the next private meeting.2 I would like the private meeting to take place as soon as possible. I should like the speech to be given—barring a major Hanoi concession—in the same way as the opening statement. I agree with you that the paragraph indicating a possible walk-out should be deleted.3

Richard Nixon
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, William P. Rogers Official and Personal Papers: Lot 73 D 443, no folder title. Secret. Rogers wrote the following note at the bottom of the page: “Bill Sullivan—In view of Thieu’s statement due in a day or two—let’s not ask for a private meeting until Friday [July 11] at least. P.S.—The President did not know the date of Thieu’s speech when this memo was prepared. W.P.R.”↩
  2. Nixon is referring to telegram 109763 to Paris and Saigon, July 2, in which Sullivan and Rogers agreed with Bunker’s suggestion that at the next private meeting Lodge should “give Le Duc Tho the full treatment.” The cable contained a text of a final statement by Lodge giving a frank and realistic view of the U.S. unwillingness “to ever consent to a dishonorable withdrawal.” (Ibid., EA/ACA Files: Lot 70 D 47, Paris Meeting & Plus Outgoing to Paris and Saigon, July 1–31, 1969)↩
  3. The paragraph on a possible walk out reads: “It adds up to this: all you have done in response to our many actions in the interests of peace is to intensify the war and escalate your demands. In these circumstances, I really don’t see that we can accomplish anything by sitting here and talking any more today.” (Ibid.)↩