This program is 28 minutes long
#89061
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(New Orleans, Louisiana) Background to indictments today of alleged arms smugglers Solomon Schwartz and H. Leonard Berg examined; weapons and equipment they claim was legally bound for Mexican army and which in fact was ostensibly en route to Warsaw, Poland, shown, discussed. [Customs agent Douglass STRAHAN - recalls being contacted by informant.] Possible role in smuggling operation of informant pilot Joe Hawes detailed. [STRAHAN - recalls initial disbelief that arms were being smuggled into East bloc nation.] Conversation secretly recorded between Schwartz and associates quoted on screen. [STRAHAN - notes conversation confirmed Hawes' tale.] United States officials said believing Schwartz was seeking 2 Soviet tanks in exchange for weapons; United States Defense Intelligence Agency believed aware of deal and wanting to purchase tanks once they arrived in US. US Customs, as well, said prepared to allow arms shipment through unless ordered by defense intelligence otherwise. Reaction of Polish government official in New York City quoted. [STRAHAN - notes prevalence of the bizarre.] Apparent routine attitude of United States officials involved and their continual efforts to obtain Soviet tanks in question described.
REPORTER: Stone Phillips
#89062
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(DC) Indications of United States and Egyptian concerns over recent bombing in Sudan by Soviet-made plane based in Libya examined. [State Department spokesperson Alan ROMBERG - explains role of AWACs in region.] Potential military role of AWACs on behalf of Sudan and Egypt explained. Similar response of United States to Libyan threat last year recalled also involving deployment of AWACs in Egypt and United States aircraft carrier in coastal waters; current proximity of USS Kennedy mentioned.
REPORTER: John McWethy
#89063
(Studio) Possible implications for El Salvador's upcoming elecs. of USSR ship Leningrad's port call in Cuba this week noted; USSR said also sending submarine carrying cruise missiles to eastern coast of United States this week
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#89064
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(DC) White House media specialists' effort to avoid press coverage of President Reagan's address to Cuban-American leaders today examined; his denunciation of those linking aid to Central America with progress on human rights quoted, discussed. Henry Kissinger's commission recalled disagreeing with President on human rights issue, despite its widespread support among Spanish community in US. ABC "News-Washington Post" poll last year recalled indicating public's perception of Latin America's unrest and subversion; details outlined on screen.
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
(Studio) Upcoming items announced.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#89066
(Studio) Deputy press secretary Larry Speakes said claiming President Reagan conts. supporting Edwin Meese as his nominee for Attorney General; details given.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(DC) Postponement in Meese's confirmation hearings while Justice Department investigates his personal finances and considers need for special prosecutor reported; Justice Department said investigating Meese's investment in Biotech Capital Corp., owned by a friend, and personal loan by Edwin Thomas, who was later appointed to high level government post. [Senator Patrick LEAHY - notes extensive questions in Meese's life.] [Senator Howard METZENBAUM - calls for broad Justice Department investigation.] Meese noted filing revised disclosure forms today with government ethics office in light of his failure to report personal loans under scrutiny. [Senator Howard BAKER - doesn't believe investigation will reveal anything negative.]
REPORTER: Ann Compton
#89067
(Studio) Snow and ice storm hitting Midwest examined; films shown. Walter Mondale's campaign plane mentioned grounded by weather.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#89068
(Studio) Lula Aaron reported winning New York's lottery; amount received annually noted. Films shown.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#89070
(Studio) Congress Budget Ofc.'s discovery of errors in President Reagan's recent claim that his proposed budget revisions will improve economy outlined.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#89071
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(NYC) Implications of today's boost in prime interest rate discussed; details outlined on screen. STK. MKT. REPORT
REPORTER: Dan Cordtz
#89073
(Studio) Importance of tomorrow's Illinois primary for Gary Hart, Walter Mondale Jesse Jackson explained. Findings of ABC "News-Washington Post" poll on Democrat cands outlined on screen, discussed.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(Chicago, Illinois) Illinois campaign efforts of Jackson, Mondale and Hart described, examined; films shown. [Mayor Harold WASHINGTON - notes significance of primary for Chicago and Cook Cnty. government] Washington's effort to consolidate his power through primary explained; Washington's move to gain control over city council led by alderman Edward Vrdolyak, who supports Mondale, noted. [University of Chicago spokesperson Gary ORFIELD - comments on Washington's power plays.] [VRDOLYAK - didn't anticipate being involved in presidential campaign] Hart commercial linking Vrdolyak with Mondale shown. [MONDALE - criticizes Hart's inability to withdraw commercial.] [VRDOLYAK - puts Cook Cnty. Democrat organization ahead of national primary.]
REPORTER: Sander Vanocur
(Studio) Incrd. black voter registration in Cook Cnty. recalled.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(Chicago, Illinois) Jackson campaign's focus on economy and political power for blacks rather than his actual nomination as President examined. [JACKSON - encourages voters.] His success in getting majority of black voters in recent south primaries recalled. [VOTER - will wait for ballot.] [JACKSON - notes disenfranchisement of black voters due to complex voting schemes.] Impact on Mondale of black voter support for Jackson noted.
REPORTER: Kenneth Walker
(Studio) Delegate count for Mondale, Hart and Jackson so far listed on screen, discussed. New York City Mayor Edward Koch reported endorsing Mondale; details given.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
#89075
(Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Peter Jennings
(No location given) air traffic controller Wayne Demmic's success in guiding 111a Vanderwater down in private plane after pilot husband William Vanderwater collapsed from heart attack featured; 111a Vanderwater noted never having flown plane before. [Voices of DEMMIC and VANDERWATER - talk through her landing.]
REPORTER: Ron Miller Artist: Gerald Andrea
#677137