News stories from Monday February 21, 1972
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- Within four hours of his arrival in Peking, President Nixon met with the 78-year-old political and spiritual leader of China, Chairman Mao Tse-tung. Nixon later met with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai. White House press secretary Ron Ziegler reported that the President's meeting with Chairman Mao was also attended by Henry Kissinger. The Nixon-Chou meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People and lasted an hour. President Nixon stated that he is pleased with the meetings so far. [CBS]
- President and Mrs. Nixon have been practicing with chopsticks, and tonight they had the opportunity to demonstrate that skill at an elaborate Chinese banquet in their honor. The entire U.S. entourage and their Chinese counterparts were entertained at a banquet at the Great Hall of the People.
Premier Chou lauded President Nixon's visit as a positive move toward the normalization of relations between the U.S. and China. Chou raised a toast to the health of President and Mrs. Nixon and the other American guests, and to friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. President Nixon spoke frankly of the differences between the two nations, but toasted Chairman Mao and Premier Chou and stated that the friendship between China and the United States can lead to peace for all the peoples of the world.
[CBS] - President Nixon left the banquet without his chopsticks. John Burns, Peking correspondent for the Toronto Globe and Mail, pocketed them as souvenirs. [CBS]
- Senate Democratic and Republican leaders Mike Mansfield and Hugh Scott agreed that President Nixon's meetings in Peking are off to a good start. [CBS]
- The trial is underway in the case of Reverend Philip Berrigan and six co-defendants who are accused of plotting to kidnap presidential aide Henry Kissinger. Berrigan attempted to fire his three attorneys, including Ramsey Clark, in order to represent himself; the judge refused. Clark, who is also representing three others in the case, said that the government will not be able to prove the conspiracy. [CBS]
- Four men were killed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, when their car exploded. They were reportedly members of the IRA who were transporting their own bomb. [CBS]
- Fifty enemy attacks were reported at locations in South Vietnam, including Kontum, Qui Nhon and Binh Trey; two U.S. bases were also hit. No casualties were reported. [CBS]
- Alabama Governor George Wallace entered the North Dakota presidential primary while attending a meeting of Democrat governors. [CBS]
- In Florida, Governor Reubin Askew attacked George Wallace's stance against busing and urged voters to defeat an anti-busing proposal on the Florida primary ballot. [CBS]
- Due to pressure from the government and Ralph Nader, General Motors announced that it will recall 6 million Chevrolets with defective motor mounts. [CBS]
- Six maritime unions, excluding the ILWU, announced a non-binding verbal agreement on a no-strike pledge in union contracts. West coast longshoremen returned to work after their 134-day strike. [CBS]