This program is 28 minutes long
#87319
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(DC) CIA manual on terrorist warfare tactics, "Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare", disseminated among anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua examined; documents' contents outlined, discussed. United States law violated by manual's promotion of assassinations noted; President Reagan recalled signing legislature to that effect in 1981. [Representative Michael BARNES, Senator Edward KENNEDY - question manual's propriety, if and how much President Reagan knew about it.] Senator Barry Goldwater reported calling for CIA director William Casey to explain while mbrs. of House and Senator mentioned seeking investigation. [Representative Thomas O'NEILL - demands Casey's resignation.] United States intelligence community said aware of guerrillas' use of political assassinations for past two years; Defense Intelligence Agency report quoted on screen. CIA director, secys. of State and Defense and President's top White House advisers said expected to have read report and informed Reagan of guerrilla tactics.
REPORTER: John McWethy
(NYC) Reagan reported learning of manual's existence from newspapers, consequently ordering investigations by CIA and intelligence oversight board; deputy press secretary Larry Speakes' statement on administration's position regarding political assassinations outlined on screen. Uniden. senior official reported claiming manual appeared to have been prepared by low-level CIA employee with previous Vietnam experience and allegedly not approved by intelligence community. [Walter MONDALE - suggests Reagan reconsider his position in Nicaragua.] Elec.-yr. implications for Reagan, especially with upcoming foreign policy debate, considered.
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
(Studio) CIA noted required by law to inform Congress intelligence cmtes. of such programs as manual. [Senate Intelligence Committee vice-chairperson Senator Dan. Patrick MOYNIHAN - believes CIA delayed acknowledgement of manual due to upcoming presidential debate; fears White House will destroy intelligence community by such incompetent handling of affairs; denies Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) informed his committee as required by law; claims entire government hierarchy is aware of information once DIA is; calls for investigation of present CIA leadership.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87321
(Studio) Death and injury toll in Paterson, New Jersey, hotel fire, believed work of arsonist, reported.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(Paterson, New Jersey) Circumstances of fire at Alexander Hamilton Hotel examined; films shown. [Owner Paul LACHMANN - accuses fire department of responding late to his call.] Russell Conklin reported chgd. with arson; details given, photo shown. [Mayor Frank GRAVES - claims Conklin confessed to starting fire; considers situation murder.] Hotel's lack of sprinklers mentioned not violating New Jersey fire codes.
REPORTER: Stephen Geer
#87322
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(NYC) Major police and FBI raid on members of New Afrikan Freedom Fighters for allegedly conspiring to commit armed robbery examined; films shown. FBI said claiming group is associated with militant Black Liberation Army involved in 1981 Brinks robbery in New York. Focus of government's current case outlined. [Assistant FBI New York director Lee LASTER - describes intelligence gathered.] Group reported allegedly planning escape of jailed member Don. Weems; details given.
REPORTER: Stone Phillips Artist: Tony Accurso
#87323
(Studio) Indications of underworld war with latest Mafia murders in Palermo, Sicily, reported; details given, films shown.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87324
#87325
(Studio) President Reagan noted attending Al Smith dinner for Catholic charities in New York City tonight, hosted by Archbishop John O'Connor.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(NYC) Walter Mondale's decision not to attend dinner discussed; function's history reviewed. 1960 dinner hosted by late Francis Cardinal Spellman with John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon recalled. Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan's presence at 1980 affair mentioned, shown. Spiro Agnew remembered replacing Nixon at 1972 Al Smith dinner; O'Connor noted refusing to allow Geraldine Ferraro to attend in place of Mondale. [FERRARO - is disappointed.] Mondale staff's belief that O'Connor snubbed Ferraro due to their continuing battle over abortion policy noted. [Governor Mario CUOMO - is disappointed as well that Ferraro didn't receive same respect as Agnew.] [O'CONNOR - hopes Mondale's showing at polls won't be affected by affair.] Concern that Mondale chose not to attend out of fear of facing heavily Republican audience noted.
REPORTER: Sander Vanocur
#87326
(Studio) Current portion of federal budget consumed by defense and that sought by administration in next budget outlined.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(Bath, ME) Role of defense spending issue in election-yr. pols. examined. [Bath Iron Works president William HAGGETT - thinks company will receive more work if administration conts. pressing for larger fleet.] Defense spending under President Reagan outlined, discussed. [REAGAN - supports Dwight Eisenhower's perception of defense strength.] [Walter MONDALE - will use military strength to control peace.] Controversy over programs targeted by defense budget examined. [General Dan. GRAHAM - explains administration's position.] Strategy of horizontal escalation explained. [Defense analyst Russell MURRAY - notes Pentagon doesn't worry about readiness, just purchase of big-ticket weapons.] Democrat and Republican positions on defense spending outlined on screen, discussed.
REPORTER: Richard Threlkeld
#87327
(Studio) Second near miss of Vice President George Bush's campaign plane with smaller craft reported; details given.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87329
(Studio) Nobel Prize for econs. reported awarded Sir. Richard Stone; details given.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87330
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(NYC) OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) emergency meeting to plot defense against possible oil price war after moves by Britain and Norway discussed. [ANALYST - explains factors underlying price reductions.] STK. MKT. REPORT
REPORTER: Stephen Aug
#87331
(Studio) Gerber reported recalling fruit juices in several states due to discovery of glass fragments; details given.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87332
(Studio) Earthquake in west states reported.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87333
(Studio) Record snowstorm in Salt Lake City, UT, detailed; films shown.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#87335
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(DC) Discovery of human skull 1.6 million years old in north Kenya by team headed by archaeologist Richard Leakey examined; films shown courtesy National Geographic Society. [LEAKEY - describes finding skeleton; explains significance of find.] [Dr. Alan WALKER - notes Homo Erectus species was large in size on av.]
REPORTER: Jeanne Meserve
#676816