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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN NEWS SUMMARY February 26, 1974 (Mon. nets, wires. News Conf. Report at End. Digest separate) The major stories of the day: RN's personal atty. pleads guilty Kalmbach to 2 technical violations re: '70 campaign contributions and/is seen as key govt witness against other ex-RN aides. Led ABC/CBS. #2 on NBC following brief lead note of news conf. CBS briefly noted live coverage after mention of Ervin Comm. appeal for tapes while ABC was only net to look ahead to news conf w/questions on energy, in- dictments and Judiciary expected. Jarriel said potential for "distasteful confrontation" exists given interval since last conf. and questions that have built up as "fuse has sputtered for 4 months. 11 Very brief ABC/NBC recaps after session w/CBS going but 5 minutes and describing RN as "very dominant" and seeming "firmly in control. 11 Sevareid had particular praise for RN's "very ready rejoinder" for McLendon who he said some- times gives rudeness a bad name. Simon accused Shah of making "irresponsible and reckless" statements in saying US was getting "more oil than any time in past" despite embargo. He said govt "has solid and hard numbers" on oil imports and to suggest 1M bbl/day are being smuggled in is "ridiculous" and "insane. 11 Film on all nets of the FEO boss "taking sharp issue' w/Shah, described as "visibly angry, 11 making a "sharp answer. 11 Simon followed by Ways and Means member Vanik (D-Ohio) who said on all nets that Shah has raised legit point and he, Vanik, wants to know where the oil has gone. ABC film from Chicago w/majors suggesting use of inventories now will only lead to aggravated shortages later. NBC film from DC on the "hassle" a station owner goes thru these days. On story noted by all nets, UPI leads: "HAK began his most difficult mission to M-E, w/hopes of cracking Israel-Syria impasse that's been punctuated by numerous bloody border clashes. 11 CBS focused on Meir's problems, saying current talks couldn't have come at a worse time for her. Koppel of ABC told of HAK's private optimism that progress can be made. HKS tribute to US role in M-E over past 25 years during which work for peace has been a lonely occupation.