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President has been NEWS SUMMARY August 18, 1972 (Wed. nets, wires, columns and mags) Major stories of the day: Silent film of HAK meeting with Bunker and Thieu on all nets (lead on 2). No details released on meetings, but NBC's Lord said at least the photo taking session of a smiling Thieu-HAK looked like anything but a con- frontation. US Embassy in Saigon is described as "tight lipped" about the meetings and reportedly trying to squash rumors HAK has a new peace proposal US advisers at QT hope HAK's journey won't mean a cease-fire before ARVN retakes QT. All nets with WH feelings Salinger's talks with NVN negotiators could "jeopardize" RN's peace efforts Griffin on NBC/CBS expressed concern over Pierre's meddling, as did Tower and Allot on CBS McG on all nets said it's HAK's "highly publicized global junket¹¹ that's interfering far more with serious negotiations than anything anyone else could do, and that RN's been "stalling" in order to prop up Thieu Salinger on CBS charged the Admin has known for some time how to accomplish peace and nothing he could do or say would prevent them from taking those steps CBS/ABC note MacGregor is looking into possible violation of Logan Act which prohibits US citizens from negotiating private- ly with foreign powers. -- No public changes at the Paris talks, but the VC asserted RN missed "one of the most favorable opportunities to end" VN in Jan '69, but VC didn't give further details. US jets hit NVN with heaviest raids since Spring resumption of full-scale bombing, amid speculation the move was to show RN's determination to back GVN to the hilt. Officials say ideal flying weather was reason.