This program is 28 minutes long
#36341
(Studio) Situation in South Vietnam deteriorates so badly, State Department officials say 1973 Paris peace agreement no longer operable. Officials reveal present North Vietnam offensive worse than 1st thought.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) Officials now comparing latest offensive to 1968 or 1972 Tet offensive. South Vietnam President Thieu rptdly. giving up provinces without notifying DC because Thieu couldn't depend on United States aid to set up real defense In January, US sent notes to all signatories of Paris accord, asking them to put pressure on North Vietnam to limit fighting and return to Paris talks; no response received
REPORTER: Steve Bell
(Studio) Communists rptdly. in firm control of 7 provinces and fighting for at least 7 others. Saigon's militia ordered into state of alarm and readiness as fighting nears city. Hue nearly 80% evacuated; refugees streaming out of town heading toward Danang.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(On road from Hue to Danang) Some evacuees are American [Mrs. Charles CLARK - says it's very sad sight to see entire towns pack up and leave.] [Kurt KIETH - says his father wants family out of Da Lat in case enemy attacks.] South Vietnam troops seem to have lost spirit to fight Viet Cong and North Vietnam back.
REPORTER: Jim Giggans
#36342
(Studio) Cambodia's ambassador to United States says if Congress cuts off all aid to Cambodia, it may mean unconditional surrender for Lon Nol government Unconfirmed reports circulate that Lon Nol may step down shortly.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36343
(Studio) In Mid. E., Secretary of State Henry Kissinger rptdly. making considerable progress toward new Sinai disengagement agreement between Israel and Egypt.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Aswan, Egypt) There's growing feeling of compromise in air. [Egyptian spokesperson Tahsin BASHIR - believes agreement could be reached in phases in short period of time.] Details of possible Egyptian, Israeli compromises outlined.
REPORTER: Ted Koppel
(Jerusalem, Israel) This afternoon, Kissinger meets with Israeli negotiating team. [KISSINGER - says although gaps can narrow in negotiations, there's still gap.]
REPORTER: Ted Koppel
(Studio) Former Israeli defense minute Moshe Dayan, reported as saying peace in Mid. E. closer than ever before.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36345
(Studio) Senator trying to complete its version of tax cut bill.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Capitol Hill) Details of tax bill outlined. Net tax relief in Senate bill incrd. to $30 billion. [Chairperson House Ways, Means Committee Al ULLMAN - thinks many portions of Senator bill won't stand up to House scrutiny; total amount of bill likely to be dropped somewhat.] Ullman's figure some $12 billion less than Senator figure. With luck, final tax bill to be sent to President Wednesday
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
#36346
(Studio) ABC to present documentary on IRS (Internal Revenue Service) tonight. IRS (Internal Revenue Service) special services staff looked into; purpose of staff was to gather intelligence on so-called dissidents, extremists, subversive organizations, etc. For 1st time, ABC learns names of some people and groups IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has kept tabs on.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(NYC) Tabs kept on such divergent citizens as Tony Randall and Sherman Adams and organizations such as National Organization of Women (NOW) and Common Cause. [Common Cause head John GARDNER - says Common Cause sued committee to reelect President Nixon, forcing disclosure of funds and their origin; after suit filed, IRS (Internal Revenue Service) contacted with regard to surveillance of Common Cause.] [NOW legal affairs Vice President, Judy LONNQUIST - says it's not surprising to know IRS maintains dossier on NOW.] [RANDALL - believes IRS' intentions evil; details given.] Current IRS (Internal Revenue Service) commissioner, Don. Alexander, promises to destroy files.
REPORTER: Gregory Jackson
(Studio) ABC documentary on IRS (Internal Revenue Service) to be shown at 10 p.m. EDT.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36347
(Studio) Chief United States postal inspector reveals Postal Service and CIA teamed up for 20 years in opening mail of United States citizens corresponding with persons in Communist cntrys. Inspector William Cotter finally ended process in 1973.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36349
(Studio) Democratic national committee meeting in Washington, DC this week Party chairperson Robert Strauss conts. unity effort.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) In Kansas City's mini convention last December, Strauss boasted of unity, but actually organized labor displeased with several decisions made. [Chief exec. California AFL-CIO John HENNING - says union labor will no longer suffer discrimination by Democratic party] Strauss trying to broaden center of party to maintain as much unity as possible. State chairwoman meet to elect new leader of their group. Anti-Strauss Bob Vance runs against pro-Strauss, Bob Fowler; Fowler wins. Victory also for Strauss. Middle of road Democrat becoming more common feature of Democratic party
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#36350
(Studio) Ronald Reagan to appear on same platform with Alabama Governor George Wallace in Alabama.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Boca Raton, Florida) Reagan on road stumping for conservatism. [REAGAN - says stand for freedom must be taken. Doesn't believe 3rd party is answer; successful Republican party needed.] Reagan firm on not being 3rd party candidate.
REPORTER: Stephen Geer
(Montgomery, Alabama) Wallace as 3rd party candidate quite conceivable. [WALLACE - refuses to rule out any possibility with regard to `76 candidacy.]
REPORTER: Bill Wordham
#36351
(Studio) James McCord enters prison to serve 1-5 year term for role as Watergate burglar.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36353
(Studio) Ford and Chrysler announce recalls of cars and trucks for replacement of potentially faulty equipment; details given.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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(Studio) Senator Agriculture Committee approves bill providing more generous price supports than bill approved in House
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Chicago, Illinois) If Congress has its way, prices of dairy products to increase soon; bill likely to raise prices of wheat, soybean, rice, cotton. President Ford likely to veto bill.
REPORTER: Dan Cordtz
#36357
(Studio) IRS (Internal Revenue Service) most effective system in world for extracting dollars from citizens. Ea. year Americans line up like sheep to be shorn, at least docilely if not enthusiastically. Americans must believe all other Americans getting clipped in exactly same way or cheating could begin. IRS (Internal Revenue Service) should have guarded its own reputation better; thought of IRS (Internal Revenue Service) involved in hanky-panky doesn't set well with Americans
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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