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WEEKEND NEWS REVIEW May 8, 1972 THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN Vietnam and politics are again the dominant weekend stories. A major RN decision on VN is called "imminent" by Rather perhaps RN's most critical decision of his entire Admin. Accounts of PatGray's first interviews are numerous -- and positive. RN's support to Cardinal Cooke's anti-abortion efforts is bannered in the Sun. NY News and also p. 1 in Times. Either p. 1 or high inside Sunday are RN's moves to curb steel imports and to hike school lunch aid. The hurried recall of Rogers from his European trip, HAK's cancellation of his Japan trip and Monday's NSC meeting has prompted more speculation over the President's next course of action - a major military move massive bombings of NVN and/or blockade of Haiphong - continues to be anticipated. Late Rather Sun. news told of a "mounting air of crisis" Battlefield action: 3 MIGs were downed and scores of NVA tanks knocked out. SVN lines near Hue are holding with heavy US air support And in Cambodia, NBC Sat. lead, Phnom Penh comes under heaviest artillery of war. Only civilians are killed and hurt. Press and networks focused on the following Viet stories: 1) The failure of ARVN to reopen Hwy 14 and the serious setback and heavy casualties it took at FB 42 near Pleiku. 2) The problems of the refugees in Kontum GVN wants to get the residents out but no one is sure how; in Danang they are packed in and the mayor is urgently calling for Saigon's help; they are generally seen as disspirited. 3) The anticipated assault on Hue where a local force of 1,000 is organizing to protect the city under the honorary leadership of a 70-year old veteran. 4) Grave doubts over ARVN's ability to hold with much emphasis on the shortcomings of leadership and will, altho Thieu continues to shake up the top. 5) Domestically, Stennis' pessimism remains considerable and, for the 1st time, League of POW Relatives is formally critical of RN policy All in all, outside of the continuing delay in any major NVA efforts against Hue or in the Hilands and the rescue of 5 GIs presumably killed in that copter crash 2 weeks ago, the reports on and from SVN possess little hope. Thieu's assessment that the decisive battle is here receives far wider support than it did at first.