Nixon announces a new peace proposal

In a televised speech, President Richard Nixon announces a five-point proposal to end the war, based on a “standstill” cease-fire in place in South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He proposed eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces, unconditional release of prisoners of war, and political solutions reflecting the will of the South Vietnamese people. Nixon said that the Communist proposals for the ouster of Nguyen Van Thieu, Nguyen Cao Ky, and Tran Thiem Van Thieu were “totally unacceptable” and rejected them. These proposals were well received at home, but were rejected by the Communists a few days later.