Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 60
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN NEWS SUMMARY June 29, 1972 (Wed. nets, wires, columns) VN and the Dem Convention hearings dominated the nets. RN's withdrawal announcement of 10, 000 for July and Aug. led all nets w/HKS in lead sentence noting there'd been 549, 500 there 3 years ago and now 39, 000 by September 1. Chancellor's lead sentence noted the 39, 000 would be least in VN since buildup began 7 years ago. And Cronkite opened by saying July goal will be met and then more will be withdrawn. All nets noted w/varying emphasis that AF/Naval contingent has grown in area so there are actually 120, 000 now involved in VN theater. All nets also noted WH refused to say if 39,000 was the 2 Q+A- "residual force" but Jarriel said there is strong indication such a force will be in VN on Election Day. CBS followed its RN report w/very positive reaction of draftees to what ABC called "major new wrinkle" in RN's announcement - no more draftees, unless they volunteer, to VN. NBC followed with a generally positive assessment of ARVN's move into Quang Tri - the all-out effort also noted by other nets ABC followed its RN report w/film of Rusk "pessimism" over any serious NVN interest in talks at time of US withdrawal. Brinkley on NBC stressed his view that Hanoi can't get a better deal than RN's May 8 offer and he pointed out that this time, in contrast to 'phony'' optimism by officials in past years of VN, there is a real belief the war can be negotiated to an end. Noted by NBC was McG's agreement with a S. Carolinian's assessment of the Sen. 's stand on the POWs: "You just want to beg?" asked the state delegate. Just give them "everything they want" and then ask for the POWs? "I'll accept that, 11 said M cG and he'd stop the bombing in the process. On the Dem front, all nets had colorful film from Hill as Dem MCs voted 2-1 against new reform plans for national Dem structure. On memorable NBC film Wayne Hays quoted w/agreement an Iowa delegate who said he was willing to run on platform calling for "sweat, blood and tears" but not one of "sex, dope and queers. 11 CBS featured Annunzio's response to Abzug who blamed Dem Hill response on threat to Establishment's power: "I could care less what she says. 11