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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN NEWS SUMMARY October 26, 1973 (Thurs, nets, wires, papers) Major stories of the day: "For about 15 hours, the world's 2 nuke giants appeared on the threshold of a military confrontation, 11 led Cronkite, noting it happened "suddenly and mysteriously" but just as suddenly, the crisis atmosphere seemed to dissipate w/UN vote. Chancellor noted that about 1 hour after HAK conf, US got just what it wanted. "Apparently backing down, 11 said ABC, Soviets gave up on joint forces. "All went very smoothly" (NBC) as Security Council voted 14-0, PRC abstained, to send UN emergency forces to Mideast, excluding participation by US, USSR, and others of big 5. A "most solemn' HAK on ABC said "we possess, each of us, nuke arsenals capable of annihilating humanity. We have a special duty to see to it confrontations are kept w/in bounds that don't threaten civilized life. 11 On all nets HAK said "we don't consider ourselves in confrontation w/USSR. [But] cooperative action precludes unilateral action. " While HAK acknowledged Soviets may've tried to take advantage of W'gate-weakened Pres, Valeriani said, he "flashed resentment" at questions implying that alert was called to distract attention from domestic problems. Cronkite said given the explanation and the timing re: domestic events, it was inevitable the action was received w/skepticism as shown in questions asked HAK. Kalb said there was "obvious disbelief and suspicion. " Kalb noted HAK was "clearly hurt" and anguished by the need to separate foreign policy conduct and other State officials were in a "cold fury. 11 But he answered questions confidently about RN's actions and decisions. On NBC/CBS HAK said "It's up to you [of press] whether there's going to be a crisis of confidence in foreign policy as well [as at home]. " On all nets HAK said "There has to be a minimum of confidence that sr. officials aren't playing w/lives of the US people. " Valeriani closed NBC story seeing a controversy in the making on whether Admin was overeacting; a controversy which'll continue til details are released. But Sevareid supportive of alert noting only far-out cynics feel it was manufactured as an escape for W'gate.