This program is 28 minutes long
#20922
#20923
(Studio) As President Nixon addressed nation on Vietnam last night at 9:00 p.m. EDT, it was 9:00 a.m. in North Vietnam and United States bombers began bombing hwys. and RRs in North Vietnam (mostly those to China). Other United States planes began sowing costal waters of North Vietnam with mines which will activate Thursday North Vietnam claims 2 United States destroyers set on fire in Haiphong Harbor by shore batteries.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) Mines have been laid at entrances to Haiphong and 6 other North Vietnam harbors: Cam Pha, Hon Gai, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Quamg Khe, and Dong Hoi. Fleet of 60 ships assembled to enforce mining operation, include: cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft carriers with 350-400 planes. [Defense Department film of mimes being placed by aircraft during training off United States West Coast.] [Chairperson, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Thomas MOORER - says attempts to transfer goods to small boats for beach landings (avoiding mined harbors) will be stopped by United States military action.] [Pentagon spkmn., Jerry FRIEDHEIM - thinks no one will try to cross mine field.] Goal is to prevent supplies from reaching North Vietnam.
REPORTER: Stephen Geer
#20924
(Studio) President briefs newsmen on United States plan to mime Haiphong, North Vietnam.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(White House) President aide Henry Kissinger tells how efforts to negotiate were frustrated by North Vietnam, leading to painful decision reached with great reluctance. Mining Haiphong Harbor will probably lead to cancellation of Nixon's summit in Russia. Defends plan. Says strength of North Vietnam, with modern weapons, counters Vietnamization. REPORTER: Tom Jarriel
#20925
(Studio) Soviet news agency Tass reacts to United States mining of Haiphong Harbor.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Moscow, USSR ) No crisis atmosphere evident in Moscow. Tass release doesn't even mention President Nixon's impending visit to Moscow. Tass quotes Nixon's remarks; calls blockade and stepped up bombing, overt acts of aggression.
REPORTER: Irv Chapman (audio report)
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#20927
(Studio) In Paris, North Vietnam and Viet Cong respond characteristically rally to new United States Vietnam policy.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Paris, France) Communist delegation in Paris take Nixon's decisions in stride. They say he has achieved most serious escalation of war so far; they will never accept his ultimatum. North Vietnam consider negotiation as way toward settlement. Viet Cong delegate Ly Vam Sau calls Nixon a criminal, barbarous, and immoral. [SAU - says Nixon can create sacrifices, difficulties, and death for North Vietnam, but will never subdue struggle for independence.]
REPORTER: John Rolfson
#20928
(Studio) Mainland China, which supplies North Vietnam via sea and rail, expected to issue strong denunciation of President action.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Hong Kong) China nay derive some satisfaction from move, due to impact on Russia. Russia's influence and subsequent victory in India-Pakistan war caused loss of prestige for China. Therefore, China wants Russia's influence diminished in Asia.
REPORTER: Howard Tuckner
(Studio) Peking charges United States repeatedly attacked 2 Chinese supply ships off North Vietnam coast. For. Min. spkmn. calls alleged attacks serious provocation.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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#20930
(Studio) President new Vietnam decision only topic in Congress today.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Capitol Hill) Senator Gale McGee says Congress should be quiet this week and hope President lucks out. Senate Democrats condemn President escalation of war. Approve amendment to cut off funds for war. [Senator Vance HARTKE - says Nixon, who promised to end war, has brought United States to brink of world's last war in reckless act of international lawlessness.] [Senator Barry GOLDWATER - says if Democrats had had guts to do it 8 years ago, war would have been over.] [Senator Henry JACKSON - urges cool reactions; prays action will lead to political settlement.] [Senator Lowell WEICKER - says 60,000 GIs still in Vietnam encounter risks every day. Says risks must be taken to get them out.] [Senator Edward BROOKE - says United States has risked confrontation with USSR , hindering SALT talks, and risking wider war.] Senator Mike Gravel reads into Senator records Kissinger's secret papers saying mining of Haiphong Harbor would be ineffective. Representative Bella Abzug calls for impeachment of President
REPORTER: Bob Clark
#20931
(Studio) Nebraska primary held today, but contenders Humphrey and McGovern rush back to DC, following President speech, for Congress debate.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) [Senator George MCGOVERN - calls new escalation reckless, unnecessary, and unworkable; a flirtation with World War III. Says constitutional war powers of Congress are dead if President can place mines in other nation's. waters without Congress approval.] [Senator Hubert HUMPHREY - does not support president action. Says course of danger offers no real hope for ending war or protecting United States forces.] [Alabama Governor George WALLACE - wonders why United States got bogged down In Asian war, when liberal Senators voted for Tonkin Gulf resolution which started it, but refused to win it and end it.]
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
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(Studio) American soldiers in Vietnam express mixed reaction to new strategy.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Phu Bai, South Vietnam) [Some servicemen hope President plan works. One says bombing is fine, but mining is dangerous. One says mining will hinder North Vietnam and slow offensive, saving lives. Another says if United States get POWs and leave, North Vietnam will overrun South Vietnam.]
REPORTER: Dick Shoemaker
#20934
(Studio) Expanding United States role of supporting and supplying South Vietnam evident.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Danang, South Vietnam) Americans proud to say current fighting strictly South Vietnam show, but new weapons arrive from United States continually. There is now speculation US Marines may land in South Vietnam. M-41 armored tanks unloaded. Phantom F-4 fighter bombers part of growing armada of United States ships and aircraft sent to support South Vietnam and stop North Vietnam resupply and troop movement
REPORTER: Ron Miller
#20935
#20936
(Studio) Stk. Mkt. reacts sharply to new escalation in Vietnam, dropping sharply.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#20937
(Studio) Yesterday Arab terrorists hijacked Sabena airliner bound for Israel, flew it to Tel Aviv, threatened to blow up plane with 96 passengers and crew unless 100 Arab guerrilla prisoners freed. P. Min. Golda Meir says nightmare is over. Israeli paratroops, disguised as mechanics, burst into plane with guns blazing, killing 2 hijackers and capturing 2 others. 2 soldiers, 6 passengers wounded. REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
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#20939
(Studio) President Johnson said Americans respond to dramatic action. Commentator motes how easy it is to react hastily to President new Vietnam plan, no matter which side of issue one is on. Calls for temperance in attitudes as citizens.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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