Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger reported reading message from President Reagan at White House ceremony honoring former POWs and MIAs; details given, films shown.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

(DC) Return of partial remains of alleged United States MIAs from Laos recalled; films shown. Hostility of govts. in region and private citizens' efforts to locate MIAs examined. [Rob SCHWAB - expresses empathy with MIAs.] Vietnam's recent release of 3 bodies recalled; number United States intelligence agencies believe are stkpiled. in Hanoi mentioned. Basis of belief that living Americans are being held as prisoners in S.E. Asia examined. [Retired intelligence ofr. Albert SHENKLE - says his hope has been renewed.] [Defense Intelligence Agency director General Eugene TIGHE - believes Americans are being held in South East Asia.] [Representative Stephen SOLARZ - feels possibility of American POWs in Indochina can no longer be dismissed.] Documents indicating long-standing official knowledge of some MIAs examined. CIA said rpting. in 1968-69 its knowledge of large number of prisoners in Laotian camps despite relatively few returning after the war. [MIA (missing in action) father Earl HOPPER - notes possibility of MIAs still being held.] [TIGHE - notes evidence.]
REPORTER: Ron Miller