227. Conversation Among President Nixon, his Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), and his Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig)1
Kissinger: This was Rogers, who just wanted to talk about it. He’s going up to testify—
Nixon: Yeah.
Kissinger: —and he just wanted to know how to—what the [unclear]—
Nixon: Is this about the papers? Do you think he’s gonna have to testify on the papers? Is that what he—the Pentagon Papers?
Kissinger: No, on the—
Nixon: This thing?
Kissinger: —on the Vietnam proposal.2 But Sullivan is also thinking that he’ll—as long as they’ve added his political conditions, we’re in good shape.
Nixon: Sure, but it’s the same offer. I mean, we’re not going to overthrow—
Kissinger: Yeah.
[Page 778]Nixon: —throw our—oh, and the thing is to not to use the word “overthrow” with “Thieu–Ky government.” You understand, Al?
Haig: Yes, sir.
Nixon: We’re not going to turn the country over—17 million people—over to the Communists against their will. Put that down and get those sons-of-bitches to say it that way. Do I come through?
Haig: Yes, sir.
Nixon: We are not going to—what they are saying is to turn 17 million South Vietnamese over to the Communists against their will.
Kissinger: Yeah.
Nixon: That’s right. With the—and, and to—against their will with the, with the bloodbath that would be sure to follow. Put those words in! Now, I want them to go out and say it. Get out there and tell them to say it right now!
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation 534–3. No classification marking. The editors transcribed the portions of the tape recording printed here specifically for this volume. The exchange is part of a larger conversation, 9:54–10:26 a.m.↩
- See Document 226.↩