Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) American planes sink 3 Cambodian gunboats; Cambodians refuse to heed US warnings; Cambodians appear to be removing crew members from their captured American ship, Mayaguez. NBC's Richard Valeriani learns there's definite evidence some crew members on Koh Tang island Senator Barry Goldwater says he was told some of crew on Cambodian mainland now. National Security Council meets several times today to discuss situation.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(Pentagon) [Pentagon spokesperson Joseph LAITIN - announces United States military action. Explains circumstances surrounding attack.] Spns. say no United States planes hit during attack; Cambodians repeatedly warned according to Pentagon sources. [John CHANCELLOR - asks if any Americans aboard small patrol boats.] Sources say boats carefully examined before attack, but it's not positively known there were no Americans aboard. [John CHANCELLOR - asks about no. of crew members on mainland.] Not known how many American crew members if any, now on mainland. [John CHANCELLOR - asks about future military action.] Helicopter rescue in works according to one source.
REPORTER: Charles Quinn

(Studio) Congress leaders of both Hses. asked to meet with President following National Security Council meeting
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(White House) President promises to consult with congress before any military action in Mayaguez situation. At National Security meeting, military options discussed. Presidential advisers say President has const. authority to use force to protect American lives and property without congress permission. [John CHANCELLOR - asks about safety and whereabouts of Mayaguez crew.] There's reluctance here to talk about situation; most information reveals American crew of Mayaguez all still alive.
REPORTER: Tom Brokaw

(Studio) There's general support for President' moves in Congress White House says Senator Mike Mansfield informed of military action before it occurred, but Mansfield disagrees.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(DC) Several prominent Democrats raise questions about President' decision to take military action in Mayaguez situation. Senators Henry Jackson, Edward Kennedy, Mansfield react to President' action. [Senator Jacob JAVITS - believes President has right to act against piracy on high seas.] [Senator John TOWER - thinks United States failed to act with sufficient haste in similar incidents in past.] [Representative John RHODES - hopes Cambodians now realize United States doesn't intend to tolerate situation.] Under 1973 war powers act, President must file written report on Cambodian action to Congress within next 48 hrs.
REPORTER: Catherine Mackin

(Studio) Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorses President action late today. Despite US mil. action, there's been no word from Cambodian govt
REPORTER: John Chancellor