Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Cease-fire in Middle E. holds; United Nations peace force to oversee cease-fire lines. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger reveals United States military alert called after USSR threatened to send own forces to Mid. E. Kissinger requests USSR vote for new United Nations resolution, keeping major powers out of Middle E.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(DC) Kissinger holds news conference to explain United States military alert. [KISSINGER - states Soviet behavior caused precautionary alert; United States not in confrontation with USSR now.] Kissinger admits USSR may have wanted to take advantage of President during confidence crisis, but Kissinger rejects possibility of President announcing alert to distract from domestic problems. [KISSINGER - insists for policy designed for American people and future generations.] [REPORTER - asks why USSR pushes issue to brink of confrontation.] [KISSINGER - believes crisis of authority experienced by President gives USSR upperhand to push US.] [REPORTER asks if President recommended military alert.] [KISSINGER - insists all senior advisers and all National Security Council members recommend United States military alert.] [REPORTER - requests Kissinger reveal more solid evidence to convince American people of need for military alert.] [KISSINGER insists crisis of confidence in foreign policy to lead to dire problems. Americans must believe senior officials of American govt aren't playing with lives of Am people.]
REPORTER: Richard Valeriani