Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Energy Department's pessimistic report on state of United States energy product and consumption and outlook for future noted. Temporary good news in OPEC's wkend. decision to hold oil prices at present rates till end of year, at mtg. in Taif, Saudi Arabia, reported.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Taif, Saudi Arabia) Interview with Saudi Arabia oil minister Sheik Yamani shown; Yamani's statements about oil price freeze for 1978 and about proposed F-15 plane sale from United States reported [YAMANI - says if plane sale falls thru, Saudis would feel that United States doesn't appreciate Saudi actions, esp. in oil industry, but doesn't think Saudis would react against such defeat. However, would be lying to say Saudis wouldn't be bothered by this and that no one could say Saudis would continue present degree of cooperation in future. States opposition to restrictions on sale now being called for and cites position on Saudi need for weapons and friendship from United States. Says Saudis prefer to stay with United States, but there are other sources.]
REPORTER: Bob McNamara

(Studio) Admin.'s continued firm stand on package deal for plane sale to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia noted. Henry Kissinger's testimony in support of pkg., with suggestions for compromise, to Senate Foreign Relations Committee reported.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(DC) Kissinger's suggestions to Congress stated. [KISSINGER - thinks defeat of any part of package could have serious foreign policy consequences.] House hearings on subject reported [Representative Clarence LONG - says that each proposed sale can be recognized after progress is made in Mideast peace talks.] White House aide's statement of expected administration win in this issue mentioned.
REPORTER: Phil Jones