News stories from Sunday February 7, 1971
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- A U.S. Navy fighter plane accidentally bombed South Vietnamese troops near the Laos border; six people were killed and 51 wounded. [CBS]
- South Vietnamese troops continue to mass near the border with Laos. An attack into Laos would be a blow to the position of Laos' neutrality, which has been observed by the U.S. since 1962. The U.S. provides aid to Laotian Premier Souvanna Phouma, but military leaders have threatened to oust Phouma if either of the two parts of Laos falls to North Vietnam; Phouma is unable to prevent the presence of North Vietnamese troops in Laos.
Phouma stated that any South Vietnamese attack into Laos is a matter between the U.S. and South Vietnam, and he will resign if Laotian rightists demand a change of policy. U.S. officials have said that they won't allow an overthrow of Phouma, but increased North Vietnamese activity in Laos may force the United States to support Laotian military leaders.
[CBS] - Senator Frank Church proposed a joint declaration between Congress and the Nixon administration stating that the only purpose for American military action in Indochina is the withdrawal of U.S. forces. [CBS]
- The wife of prisoner of war James Plowman reported that President Nixon assured her that some U.S. forces would remain in South Vietnam for as long as North Vietnam holds American POWs. [CBS]
- An IRA sniper was killed in fighting in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Fighting also continued in Londonderry. [CBS]
- Apollo 14 is returning to earth and will land on Tuesday. [CBS]
- North Carolina Governor Robert Scott ordered National Guard troops into Wilmington to quell racial violence. One white person was killed today by a sniper after one black was killed last night. The violence was caused by demands for black studies programs in schools. [CBS]
- Senator Sam Ervin will hold hearings on the use of Social Security numbers being a possible abuse of individual rights. [CBS]
- A tornado hit Gulf Breeze, Florida. More than 100 people were injured. [CBS]
- Tuscania, Italy was destroyed by an earthquake; 15 people were killed and 270 injured. [CBS]
- Switzerland has given women the right to vote in national elections. [CBS]
- Nine of the 10 major oil producing countries are threatening to stop selling oil to Western nations unless their price demands are met. [CBS]