This program is 27 minutes long
#239562
(Studio) Communist forces close circle on Saigon; final battle for Saigon could be only days away. Communists attack South Vietnam's principal communications center, only 5 mile from Saigon; Communists also attack Bien Hoa AB. Rptdly., Communists have 10 divs. around Saigon; location of divs. outlined; South Vietnam has only 4 divs. to defend entire Saigon area. Situation so serious American embassy burning important papers; American carrier Enterprise heading for Vietnam, presumably to stand by if needed for American evacuation.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Congress sources say United States searching for political alternative to South Vietnam President Thieu. Hopefully, negotiated surrender can be worked out. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger appears before House International Relations Committee and alludes to political process that may lead to Thieu's removal. [KISSINGER - doesn't think any 1 personality to be key to South Vietnam settlement. United States supports South Vietnam government, not a person.] American evacuation quietly accelerated. [KISSINGER - states United States has no intention of reentering Indochina war.] Later, Kissinger meets with South Vietnam foreign minister Vuong Van Bac. [BAC - says he's hopeful United States to respond to South Vietnam with more military aid.]
REPORTER: Marvin Kalb
#239563
(Studio) Congress setting own pace for its decision with regard to administration's request for more South Vietnam aid.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves $100 million for humanitarian aid to South Vietnam and $100 million for American evacuation. [Senator Jacob JAVITS - thinks pace of American evacuation still inadequate.] [Senator Dick CLARK - says Secretary of State rptdly. wired United States ambassador in South Vietnam a specific evacuation plan.] House Armed Services Committee hears from United States Army chief of staff Frederick Weyand.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd
#239564
(Studio) State Department highly secretive about American evacuation from Saigon, fearing start of panic among Vietnam. Sources say 3500-4000 Americans still in Saigon. President announces special White House task force set up to coordinate evacuation. Reporter Bill Plante says many Americans not ready to leave South Vietnam just yet.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239566
(Studio) Reports of Communist atrocities on South Vietnam refugees come in daily.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Long Tanh refugee camp, South Vietnam) Atrocity reports given.
REPORTER: Peter Collins
#239567
(Studio) Paris, France, reports Khmer Rouge orders all civilians out of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but Communist sources deny this. Unconfirmed report says Premier Long Boret captured yesterday.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239568
(Studio) Communist fighting reported in Laos.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239570
(Studio) President Ford flies to New England for bicentennial trip. In New Hampshire, President's remarks seem to focus on 1976 rather than 1776.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Manchester, New Hampshire) New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson greets President at airport; Thomson potential `76 presidential candidate. President hasn't said if he'll enter primaries, but day's visit has all trappings of military swing.
REPORTER: Bob Schieffer
(Concord, New Hampshire) Crowd enthusiastic here. [PRES. - says federal government can no longer increase federal spending at same rate it has in past.] More speeches just like today's planned for future.
REPORTER: Bob Schieffer
#239571
(Studio) Idaho Congman. George Hansen sentenced to prison for 2 mos. for violations of campaign financing laws.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239572
(Studio) Govt. dismisses perjury charges against former Secretary Treasury John Connally.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239573
(Studio) Rockefeller Commission to look into reported CIA involvement in plots to assassinate Cuba's Fidel Castro. CBS's Daniel Schorr learns commission investigating possibility that President Kennedy's assassination was in retaliation.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239574
(Studio) Labor Department adds 31 communities to list of areas with substantial unemployment in March. Substantial unemployment means rate is 6% or higher.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239577
(Studio) Environmental Protection Agency releases survey of drinking water in 79 cities across country
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Chloroform, possible cause of cancer, present in minute amts. in water supplies of all cities surveyed. [EPA Russell TRAIN - doesn't think problem should be belittled nor should it be blown all out of proportion.]
REPORTER: Nelson Benton
(Miami, Florida) Miami has 1 of worst systems surveyed; at least 3 cancer-causing agents found in water. [Miami water and sewer authority Garrett SLOAN - feels city's water supply excellent.] [Public health dir. Dr. Milton SASLAW - doesn't think there's cause for alarm, but there is need for good scientific investigation.]
REPORTER: Bruce Hall
#239578
(Studio) Supposedly, only 49 wild whooping cranes exist in all of world. Deadly outbreak of bird cholera in Nebraska; whooping cranes rest in Nebraska each spring on their migration route from Texas to Canada. Officials trying to keep cranes from landing in infected regions.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239579
(Studio) 8 oil refineries and chemical plants on Texas coast ban 1975 autos equipped with catalytic converters because General Motors reports converter can be fire hazard.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239580
(Studio) Sources who have talked with Patricia Hearst say SLA abandons terrorist tactics. Sources say Miss Hearst and William and Emily Harris now working for social change.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
#239581
(Studio) Eric Sevareid comments on South Vietnam situation.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) American evacuation sticky problem regardless of whether it's too rapid or too slow. Replacement of Thieu government also sticky problem. Any wholesale evacuation of South Vietnam not likely to occur. If defense lines around Saigon crack, all these plans could become null and void and it would be every man for himself.
REPORTER: Eric Sevareid
#239583
(Studio) President opens celebration of nations' 200th birthday tonight; to speak at Boston's Old North Church. Tomorrow, President travels to Concord, Massachusetts.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Lexington, Massachusetts) Revolutionary War began here; it's fitting 200th year celebration should also begin here. In Concord and Lexington, an air of bicentennial fever everywhere. Most townspeople pleased with celebration, but some uneasy about town's ability to cope with masses of visitors. Ambassador from Communist China among 1st visitors at Lexington.
REPORTER: David Culhane
#668833