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NEWS SUMMARY October 24, 1972 (Mon. nets, wires, columns, mags) THE PRESIDE was SEEN Major stories of the day: Film of smiling HAK leaving Saigon after 5 days of talks w/Thieu led all nets, and included speculation re: progress and ceasefire. ABC focused on unlikely chances Thieu will accept coalition as he would lose credibility NBC noted US sources say while there has been progress, no agreement has been made re: settlement on cease-fire, altho they say agreement is more complicated than Thieu's refusal of coalition. NBC's Kaplan reported NVN's pessimism may underline a threat that if Thieu blocks agreement too long, the whole deal may be in jeopardy. CBS reports a HAK- Thieu agreement in principle, but that Thieu wants: 1) a "written" WH guarantee the US will continue to send arms to SVN regardless of a cease-fire, and 2) a complete NVA withdrawal before any cease-fire. CBS reports HAK avoided answering Thieu's question re: whether RN still stood on public statements about not abandoning SVN. Mag articles feature Thieu as major obstacle to agreement tho Time gives him almost sympathetic treatment. K-gard In very positive commentary HK Smith suggested Time select HAK for "Man of the Year' for his successes w/SU and PRC and likely success w/NVN. All nets noted D-J reacted sharply to peace rumors, closing up 8, 5 at 951 w/14M vol. CBS with lengthy negative report on unemployment situation of black VN vets. -- Film of enthusiastic, cheering crowds greeting RN #2 story on all nets w/note of statement re: blocking Congressional spending spree. NBC noted crowd estimates of 200, 000 to 400, 000, while ABC simply noted they were deep at the curbs. ABC film clip of RN and PN leaving car to shake hands. CBS noted some detractors, tho most of "large and enthusiastic" crowds appeared pro-RN. Rather said GOP leaders from 10 states reportedly told RN he leads widely in all Northeast states, except possibly Mass. ABC followed motorcade film w/negative report of pre-planning, "set up so spontaneity could occur. 11 Report once again seemed to indicate RN is only candidate w/advance work.