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THE PRESIDENT HAS SLEN NEWS SUMMARY October 16, 1973 The major stories of the day: "A dangerous widening" of the war was how Chancellor described intensified US/USSR shipments to Mideast. US move led all nets w/Cronkite saying the planes and tanks areneeded for Israel to continue the war and all nets noting move is sure to inflame oil- producing Arabs and increase cut off threats. US shipments being made to counter what State now calls "massive" Soviet airlift CBS film of Syrian HQ where Soviet advisers had been Valeriani said RN is "angry" over Russian actions. ABC said RN looked to USSR for cooperation and didn't get any ABC/NBC clip of RN w/Medal of Honor winners as he said US role is same as in '58 and '70 to protect independence and security of individual countries in Mideast role of "peacemaker" was included on ABC clip. No CBS film of RN remarks, but Cronkite said RN had raised "very indirectly" possibility of US armed intervention as was done in Lebanon in '58 All nets noted, ABC w/film of Simon, Admin claim that strict energy conservation effort could make US independent of Arab oil, now providing 6-12% of US supply. Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Kuwait Ambs. coming to DC Tues. w/hope of seeing RN to warn that direct US involvement could mean Arab oil shipments will stop. Noted by CBS. Heavy fighting in Sinai w/possibly climactic battle developing. CBS film indicated Egyptians are already deep inland, but ABC film stressing they not as far in as they claim, not more than 2-3 miles east of Suez. NBC/CBS film of Egyptians capturing last of Israeli units at Bar-Lev line On the Syrian front, Cronkite, again at the map w/his pointer as he's been since war began, said Israelis apparently haven't moved much from where they were. Fri. (Other nets also noted). Either resistence is stiffer than expected or they shifted effort to Egypt while holding in Syria. Jerry Ford in Oregon speaking out for Admin and holding out "olive branch" to Hill on CBS/ABC film as he emphasized need to focus on future accented as he held football given him w/"The Future" written on it. Well-received judging by applause on both nets ABC also reported Ford was checked out by FBI 2 weeks ago Live coverage on all nets as the former VP denied betraying the public trust and gave strong support to RN and Ford as he said he resigned to prevent a divisive, prolonged court battle. No mention in speech of earlier charge that he'd been forced out by "the highest levels. 11 Charge noted by all nets.