This program is 28 minutes long
#37077
(Studio) Several unanswered questions remain concerning Tuesday' evacuation of Americans, and South Vietnam from Saigon; exs. listed. ABC's Ken Kashiwahara among last to leave Saigon; arrives safely in Manila today.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Manila, Philippines) Growing number people involved in actual evacuation feel American embassy waited too long to evacuate Americans and South Vietnam. Some military men feel American embassy ignored Hanoi ultimatums for evacuation; embassy staff blamed in general and South Vietnam ambassador Graham Martin in particular for foot-dragging. At end of evacuation, United States Marines forced to use tear gas to keep South Vietnam back from United States copters landing on roof; embassy had promised these people they would be evacuated, but in end American promise broken. Kashiwahara recounts own personal experience of escape from Saigon. Film of embassy compound shown; fear, desperation and panic on every face.
REPORTER: Ken Kashiwahara
(Studio) ABC asks White House to respond to Kashiwahara's report
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(White House) Publicly and privately, sources not familiar with any North Vietnam deadline on Saigon evacuation. However, President did communicate his concern to ambassador Martin with regard to evacuation delay.
REPORTER: Steve Bell
(Studio) Defense Secretary James Schlesinger says all United States ships leaving South Vietnam coastal waters, but will pick up any refugees managing to escape to high seas. Earlier, new Saigon government charges United States ships violating Vietnam sovereignty. Later, at news conf., Schlesinger discusses equipment losses.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) [SCHLESINGER - says estimates of equipment now in North Vietnam hands run in excess of $5 billion.] ABC acquires only aerial intelligence photos of equipment; pictures shown.
REPORTER: Frank Tomlinson
#37078
(Studio) Viet Cong announce Communist forces win total victory in South Vietnam. New government broadcasts proclamations of stiff penalties for crimes ranging from rape to looting; dance halls outlawed too. May Day parade occurs in Saigon, according to dispatches reaching Tokyo. Report also says many government employees return to their posts; most open air market stalls reopened.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37080
(Studio) House votes down South Vietnam $327 million humanitarian aid bill because bill contains language permitting use of troops in now completed evacuation from Vietnam.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Capitol Hill) In letter to house speaker Carl Albert, President Ford says he wants money for humanitarian aid; promises Congress troops won't be sent back into Vietnam territory. [Representative John ANDERSON - thinks President' word should have been accepted and bill passed.] [Representative Phillip BURTON - says he took President' letter literally and voted against aid bill.]
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
(Studio) President reacts to congress failure to approve humanitarian aid bill.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37081
(Studio) Already, there's substantial aid getting to South Vietnam refugees as they arrive in US.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Camp Pendleton, California) Refugee population here grows hour by hour Defense Department going into financial hole on this operation. Pentagon flatly denies that Camp Pendleton to get most of 70,000 refugees. [Captain Mel SCHULER - says if more than 18,000 refugees placed here, Marines to accommodate them and get job done.]
REPORTER: Stephen Geer
#37082
(Studio) In area around Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, some initial hostility toward North Vietnam refugees seems to be disappearing.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Fort Chaffee, Arkansas) [Fort Smith city manager Ray RILEY - says attitudes change as more information learned about refugee plan; refugees to be moved from military bases to American sponsors in relatively short time.] Fort Smith children asked to bring toys for refugee children as sign of good will. [CHILDREN - discuss refugees and collection of toys.] People prepare to donate clothes for refugees. [Fort Smith resident Marsha CHEEK - says she's helping refugees because they've lost their home, belongings and cntry.] Army needs 200 civilians to work at Fort Chaffee while refugees here, so Fort Smith economy being helped by refugees.
REPORTER: Greg Dobbs
#37083
(Studio) So far, about 80,000 refugees have left Vietnam; President expects 80% to settle in US.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37084
(Studio) United States and Thailand agree on plan for gradual withdrawal of United States Air Force personnel from Thailand; details given.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37086
(Studio) Diplomats in Cairo say Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to meet President Ford in Austria early in June for Mid. E. talks. Official announcement to be made tomorrow.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37087
(Studio) State judge orders murder trial of Joan Little moved from Washington, North Carolina, to Raleigh, 100 mile away.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37088
(Studio) General Motors, Chrysler and American Motors say all assembly plants to open next week More than 150,000 workers to remain on indefinite layoff. Ford Motor Company issues production schedule tomorrow.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37089
(Studio) Chrysler reports $94 million loss for 1st quarter of `75.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37090
(Studio) President Ford vetoes emergency farm bill.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37091
(Studio) New tax cuts recently passed to stimulate economy to begin showing up in paychecks.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) Paycheck of breadwinner of average family of 4 to be hiked $4.90 per wk. for person earning $8000 per year Admin. feels these extra few dollars to help boost United States out of recession. Tax rebate checks to have more impact; breakdown given.
REPORTER: Roger Peterson
#37093
#37094
(Studio) Many doctors' malpractice insurance expired last night; many refusing to treat patients without it.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(San Francisco, California) Care conts. in all hospitals, but on reduced basis. [Dr. George WINCH - says if doctors' malpractice insurance premiums increase, patients must pay price.] [Dr. John KERNER - considers situation a real crisis.]
REPORTER: Dick Shoemaker
(Studio) Some doctors in Los Angeles announce plans for 1 day work stoppage next Tuesday; trouble stems from malpractice insurance situation.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37096
(Studio) This reporter believes United States must have responsible, disciplined army. Mil. must be respected and looked up to by Americans; during Vietnam era, opposite was true.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#668878