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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN NEWS SUMMARY January 31, 1973 (Tuesday nets, wires) The major stories of the day: Note Liddy and McCord found guilty on all counts w/35-45 year sentences possible. Only 1-1/2 hr. deliberation. Led NBC/CBS. Stern of NBC said trial fell short of Silbert's plea that verdict help restore faith in political system. And while full explanation may await Hill probe, that could be long time in coming, said Stern, as those who know most -- the 7 guilty defendants say they'll not testify to grand jury or Hill til all appeals are exhausted. Continuing, tho reduced, ceasefire violations led ABC but main VN story, w/film on all nets, was the existence of Marine PFC Ridgeway, believed KIA 5 years ago at Khe Sahn, on the POW list. Overjoyed parents on all nets saying they never believed he was dead despite a funeral held for him. (168 clip shown on all nets) No positive i. d. had ever been made. Reasoner called case a dramatic example of confusion between US and Hanoi POW lists. Film of VP in Saigon on all nets w/note by all of what ABC's Koppel called his "unusually strong statement of assurance" to GVN and the fact that US recognizes no right of foreign troops to stay on SVN soil. "Warning" also given by VP, said ABC, as he emphasized that US expects all parties to live up to accord. RN w/Lam in brief CBS clip, ABC note while Valeriani w/NBC film said it was further US reassurance to GVN. Porter also on NBC espousing what ABC also noted as WH/Admin view that initial days of ceasefire were expected to be as they've been but US feels things will calm down. All nets noted ICC remains "stymied" (NBC) as there's still "wrangling" (CBS). So it's not in the field yet. All nets w/film of fighting. Brief ABC/CBS note of RN Economic Message which says an even better year than '72 is possible if Hill backs major objectives of Admin policy and brakes spending. NBC's Levine said RN was even stronger than in his Budget message as he warned Hill they'd be to blame. Stein was on NBC.