This program is 28 minutes long
#37161
(Studio) Mayaguez incident over. With 39-member crew safely aboard, ship steaming toward Singapore under own power. After Cambodians surrendered ship and crew, United States fought for hrs. to secure release of United States Marines that had landed on Koh Tang island during Mayaguez rescue.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Pentagon) Defense Department photos shown. As Marines land on Koh Tang island, Khmer Rouge troops pepper United States copters with small arms fire; Marines meet stiff resistance from Communists At least 3 copters shot down; tentative figures show 1 Marine killed and 30 or more wounded; 20 men still unacctd. for. Pentagon considers operation complete success. Secretary Defense James Schlesinger's remarks with regard to incident revealed.
REPORTER: Frank Tomlinson
(Studio) Chronology of events of past 24 hrs. recapped.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) White House photographs follow events of historical hrs. Yesterday afternoon during National Security Council meeting, President Ford decides to use mil. force to get Mayaguez and crew back. President meets with congress leaders to inform them of his decision and let them know operation underway. At 7:07 p.m. EDT, Phnom Penh broadcast says Mayaguez to be released next Monday; US Marines already on their way to retake ship. First, Marines land on Koh Tang at 7:20 p.m. EDT. At 8:20 pm., destroyer Holt moves alongside Mayaguez and Marines board ship;
#37162
(Studio) Further reports on Mayaguez incident upcoming.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37164
(Studio) President' decision to use military force in Mayaguez incident recs. generally favorable reaction from American public and Congress
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(White House) Reaction overwhelmingly favors President in letters, calls and telegrams. Message from skipper and crew of Mayaguez among favorable telegrams. White House spns. deny political considerations played any part in mil. decisions, but resort to force has shored up President' standing. Press Secretary Ron Nessen defends President' military decision.
REPORTER: Tom Jarriel
(Capitol Hill) Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, Senators Mike Mansfield, Jesse Helms praise President Congress criticism sparse. [Senators John SPARKMAN, Clifford CASE - describe President' feelings following safe rescue of Mayaguez and crew. Both praise President' decision.] [1 critical SEN. - thinks US to regret using violence.]
REPORTER: Bob Clark; ARTIST: No artist given
#37165
(Studio) World reaction to Mayaguez story upcoming.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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#37167
(Studio) Most govts. withhold official reaction to Mayaguez incident, but newspaper editorials generally critical. Exs. given, incling. editorials from Spain, India, Belgium, West Germany, USSR , China. ABC's Ann Dunbar reports officials in Chinese foreign ministry in touch with Phnom Penh on hotline; Chinese believe Cambodia ready to give up ship before United States military action began.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) Senior administration officials don't rule out possibility of Phnom Penh, Peking hot line, but Washington, DC never advised of its existence. Admin. insists all diplomatic efforts had failed before United States resorted to force; efforts to persuade China to help United States in securing release of Mayaguez failed. Reasons for President' final decision to take military action revealed. Admin. well satisfied with results of operation. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger thinks China may be secretly relieved at United States show of force.
REPORTER: Ted Koppel
#37168
(Studio) Thailand very concerned about Mayaguez incident because United States sent Marines to Thailand, Cambodia's neighbor, to deal with Mayaguez operation. Most all Marines flown in for rescue operations have been removed from Thailand, but Thais still loud and public with criticism of US.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Bangkok, Thailand) Thais demonstrate against use of their country as staging area for Mayaguez recovery operation. Thailand finds United States military presence an embarrassment to their neutrality. In few hrs., Thai cabinet to go into session and make cntry.'s feelings official.
REPORTER: Arnold Collins
(Studio) In DC, Thailand's ambassador to United States tells ABC he hasn't been recalled; says strong bond exists between United States and Thailand. Reaction from families of Mayaguez crew upcoming.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37170
(Studio) Families of Mayaguez crew express understandable relief following safe return of ship and crew.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Daly City, California) Mrs. Sally Reyes' tears of grief for son and husband turn to tears of joy once news of their safety learned. [Mrs. REYES - expresses her happiness.]
REPORTER: Bill Brown
(Bogota, New Jersey) Mrs. Marion Bock recs. telegram from husband this morning expressing gratitude to United States and Marines for their rescue efforts. [Mrs. BOCK - wishes there were no Marine casualties; hopes there were no more than 2.]
REPORTER: Bill Brown
#37171
(Studio) Bd. chairperson Sea-Land Service, ship's owner; says crew to be flown home as soon as ship docks in Singapore Saturday Ship's cargo to be shown to world to prove no arms, hazardous or secret equipment aboard.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37173
(Studio) Top official of new South Vietnam government says Saigon willing to establish diplomatic relations with all nations, incling. US. Chairperson advisory council of government Nguyen Huu Tho makes statement.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37174
(Studio) Student protesters in Laos continue to hold 3 Americans seized yesterday; students threaten to kill hostages unless demands met; details given.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#37175
(Studio) Dr. Kenneth Edelin, convicted in February for manslaughter of fetus he aborted, loses step in appeal process. Judge James McGuire refuses to overturn verdict.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37176
(Studio) Federal Reserve Bd. says industry production drops 0.4% in Apr. Commerce Department says personal income for Americans incrd. $6.7 billion in Apr.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37177
(Studio) Senator passes bill establishing consumer protection agency.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#37179
(Studio) Shah of Iran arrives at White House for long-scheduled official visit.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(White House) Shah recs. warm welcome. Iran 1 of American's best Asian friends. During meeting, President and Shah discuss Mid. E. Student demonstrators protest Shah's visit; criticize Iran's policy of locking up political prisoners.
REPORTER: Ann Compton
#37181
(Studio) When considering Pacific power of US, 3 things should be considered. This reporter doesn't think United States should worry about Thailand; it's now possible to be Pacific-power without chain of land bases; our line-up of cntrys. sharing our self-interest different and stronger now than in 30's.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
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