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News stories from Monday February 15, 1971
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- The South Vietnamese commander of the Laos operation announced that the Ho Chi Minh Trail has been cut off; 750 North Vietnamese troops have been killed since the start of the operation. A new airfield is being built in South Vietnam at the Laotian border though North Vietnamese forces are still in the area. The fact that artillery bases are being established in Laos indicates that South Vietnam intends an extended stay. [CBS]
- U.S. command in Saigon reported that there are 332,900 American troops now in Vietnam. U.S. military strength is scheduled to be down to 284,000 by May 1. Red China announced additional military and economic aid for North Vietnam. [CBS]
- In Pensacola, Florida, former prisoner of war Lt. David Matheny, one of nine POWs who was released by North Vietnam, is now training pilots. North Vietnam specifically cited Matheny as a reason why no more POWs have been released.
Antiwar activist David Dellinger says that North Vietnam is affronted by former POWs being used to train pilots. Matheny said he never promised anyone he wouldn't be a pilot again, adding that the U.S. needs defense and he will do his part. However, the Geneva accords state that no repatriated person may be employed on active military service. The State and Defense Departments interpret the accords to mean that no former POWs may be combatants. [CBS]
- U.S. Air Force Sgt. James Finley was kidnapped by leftist Turks near Ankara; he was later released. [CBS]
- Egypt accepted the peace plan proposed by United Nations mediator Gunnar Jarring, but Israel rejected the proposal. [CBS]
- Senator Vance Hartke will request a Senate committee hearing on Commerce Secretary Maurice Stans' financial interest in a Penn Central Railroad subsidiary. [CBS]
- A report by the Urban Institute claims that blacks who are moving to cities are interested in finding jobs -- not welfare -- and that black stereotypes are inaccurate. [CBS]
- British politician Enoch Powell called for an end to "colored" immigration and stated that non-white immigrants in Britain should be given free passage to their homeland to prevent further development of racial tensions. [CBS]
- The new British decimal currency system went into effect today. [CBS]
- The Nixon administration is considering a freeze on construction wages, prices and profits. AFL-CIO president George Meany stated that such a freeze is unworkable and unfair. [CBS]
- The United Steel Workers reached a three-year contract agreement with National Can Company, but is still striking against three other companies. [CBS]
- Consumer advocates Ralph Nader and Robert Choate filed complaints against false advertising and children's advertising. [CBS]
- All Concorde supersonic transport test planes have been grounded until modifications are made, a move made after an engine part fell off during a test flight. [CBS]
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